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Paediatrician salary in Australia: how state and award rates move pay off the national line

The ABS does not publish a median or average salary for paediatricians at the 6‑digit occupation level; award minimums for career medical practitioners start at $2,037.52 per week, well above the national full‑time average of $2,083.70.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Introduction

If you are researching a paediatrician salary in Australia, you will quickly find that a single, precise figure is hard to come by. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for paediatricians at the 6‑digit ANZSCO level, and the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for paediatricians (253321) explicitly shows “N/A” for median weekly earnings. That does not mean the information is useless – it means we need to look at the structures that set pay: the Medical Practitioners Award, state enterprise agreements, and the national full‑time average line.

This article explains why a paediatrician’s salary can sit above or below the national full‑time average of $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) and how state and award factors move the figure.

What the data shows

National average context

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 gives a national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week. For men it is $2,181.50 ($113,438 per year) and for women $1,934.50 ($100,594 per year). The all‑employees average (including part‑time) is $1,579.40 per week. These are averages, not medians. The full‑time median from the ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) is about $90,532 per year, and the all‑employees median is about $74,100.

Paediatricians are specialists. Most work full‑time – the 2021 Census showed 75% of paediatricians work full‑time hours, with an average of 46 hours per week. That is above the national full‑time average of 44 hours. Longer hours and higher skill levels typically push earnings above the national average, but the ABS does not confirm a specific paediatrician figure.

Award minimums for medical practitioners

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) sets minimum rates for doctors in training and career medical practitioners. From 1 July 2026, the weekly minimum for a career medical practitioner at pay point 1 is $2,037.52 (about $105,951 per year). At the top of the career medical practitioner scale (pay point 4) it is $2,234.38 ($116,188 per year). Senior career medical practitioners start at $2,304.85 ($119,852 per year).

These award rates are minimums. Many paediatricians are employed under state‑based enterprise agreements that pay more, especially in public hospitals. For example, a specialist paediatrician in a public hospital may be classified above the award’s career medical practitioner levels, with salaries negotiated through industrial agreements. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend, public holiday, and overtime work, which can lift total compensation.

State variations

State of employment is a major factor. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides full‑time adult ordinary‑time averages by state. For May 2026:

  • New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 per year)
  • Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137)
  • Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064)
  • South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450)
  • Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825)
  • Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008)
  • Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173)
  • Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090)

These are averages across all occupations, but they reflect the general cost of labour in each state. Paediatrician salaries in public hospitals are often tied to state‑wide enterprise agreements that incorporate local wage policies. For instance, the ACT’s higher average may pull paediatrician pay upward, while Tasmania’s lower average may keep it closer to the award minimum.

Why precise figures are hard to pin down

The ABS suppresses median weekly earnings for 6‑digit occupations like paediatricians when the sample size is too small or the relative standard error is high. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile confirms this. That means any single number you see online for “paediatrician salary” is likely an estimate from private surveys or job advertisements, not an official statistic.

What we do know:

  • The national full‑time average line is $2,083.70 per week.
  • The Medical Practitioners Award minimum for a career medical practitioner is $2,037.52 per week.
  • Most paediatricians work full‑time and average 46 hours per week.
  • State enterprise agreements can push pay above the award, especially in high‑cost states like the ACT and Western Australia.

If you want to see where a particular paediatrician salary sits against the national line, you can Place a salary on the line using our tool. For a deeper look at how state averages differ by state, see States and territories. For more on how the ABS and Fair Work set these figures, visit How the figures are set.

Conclusion

A paediatrician salary in Australia is not captured by a single official statistic. The national full‑time average provides a benchmark, but actual pay depends on the award classification, the state’s enterprise agreement, and individual experience. The Medical Practitioners Award sets a floor, and state‑based bargaining often lifts pay above that floor. When comparing a paediatrician salary to the national line, remember that the line is an average across all full‑time workers, and paediatricians typically earn above it – but the exact amount varies.

Questions

What is the average salary for a paediatrician in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for paediatricians (ANZSCO 253321) because the sample size is too small. The Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile also shows 'N/A' for median weekly earnings. However, the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum weekly rates for career medical practitioners (which cover many paediatricians) from $2,037.52 to $2,378.17, depending on pay point. Actual salaries in public hospitals are often higher under enterprise agreements, and private practice earnings can exceed award rates significantly.

How does the Medical Practitioners Award affect paediatrician pay?

The Medical Practitioners Award (MA000031) sets minimum wages for doctors in training and career medical practitioners. For a full‑time career medical practitioner at pay point 1, the weekly minimum is $2,037.52 as of 1 July 2026. This is about $105,951 per year, slightly below the national full‑time adult average of $108,352. However, most paediatricians are employed under state‑based enterprise agreements that pay above the award, especially for specialist roles. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime, which can lift total earnings.

Do paediatrician salaries vary by state?

Yes, because most paediatricians work in public hospitals covered by state‑specific enterprise agreements. For example, the New South Wales full‑time average is about $109,658, while the Australian Capital Territory average is about $119,090. Western Australia averages $115,825. These state averages reflect the broader labour market, but paediatrician pay in each state is influenced by local bargaining, cost‑of‑living adjustments, and workforce shortages. The national full‑time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark, but state agreements can push paediatrician salaries above or below that line.

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