Plastic Surgeon Salary in Australia
Plastic surgeons are among the highest-paid medical specialists in Australia, but exactly how much they earn depends on where you look. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a separate earnings figure for plastic surgeons, but it does group them with all surgeons under the occupation code 2535. According to, the median full-time weekly earnings for surgeons is $3,905. That is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. Annualised over 52 weeks, that comes to about $203,060 before tax.
How That Compares to the National Average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, or about $108,352 a year, according to (May 2026). That means the typical surgeon earns roughly 87% more per week than the average full-time worker. But the gap narrows when you look at hourly rates. Surgeons work an average of 54 hours per week, compared to 44 hours for all full-time occupations. Their median hourly earnings of $80 are still well above the national full-time average hourly rate of about $54.80 (derived from the weekly average divided by 38 hours), but the premium is less dramatic.
What Would Move This Pay Above or Below the Average?
Several factors can push a plastic surgeon’s earnings higher or lower than the median.
Experience and Reputation
Like most professions, earnings rise with experience. A newly qualified plastic surgeon will earn less than one with 20 years of practice and a strong referral base. Reputation also matters: surgeons known for excellent results can command higher fees, especially in cosmetic surgery where patients often pay out of pocket.
Public vs Private Practice
Surgeons in public hospitals are typically salaried and earn less than those in private practice. Public sector surgeons may have access to benefits like superannuation and leave, but their base pay is capped. Private practitioners set their own fees and can earn significantly more, but they also bear the costs of running a practice, including staff, rent, and insurance.
Location
Earnings vary by state and territory. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data show that the highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090 a year) and Western Australia ($115,825), while Tasmania is lowest ($96,008). Surgeons in high-cost cities like Sydney and Melbourne may charge more, but competition is also fiercer. Regional areas sometimes offer higher pay to attract specialists.
Type of Surgery
Plastic surgery covers both reconstructive (often publicly funded) and cosmetic (usually private). Cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and facelifts are typically not covered by Medicare, so surgeons can set market rates. Reconstructive work may be billed through Medicare or private health insurance, which can limit fees. Surgeons who focus on high-demand cosmetic procedures tend to earn more.
Hours Worked
The median surgeon works 54 hours a week, but some work more. Longer hours mean higher weekly earnings, but also higher risk of burnout. Part-time or reduced-hours arrangements are less common in surgery, but they would lower annual income.
How the Figures Are Set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year (May and November). The surgeon median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published less frequently (most recently August 2025). Both are official statistics, but they measure different things: the average is a mean, while the median is the middle point. For skewed distributions like surgeon pay, the median is often more representative.
For a broader view of how different jobs compare, visit our Job medians page. You can also see how earnings vary by States and territories.
Minimum Wage and Award Rates
Plastic surgeons are not covered by the national minimum wage or typical awards. Their pay is determined by individual contracts, enterprise agreements, or private fee schedules. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, but that applies to employees not covered by an award. Surgeons earn many times that.
Tax Considerations
At the median surgeon income of around $203,060, the 2026–27 tax rates apply: 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000, and 45% on income above $190,000. Plus the Medicare levy of 2%. So a surgeon earning $203,060 would pay roughly $60,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $143,000 after tax. This is a rough estimate; individual circumstances vary.
Summary
Plastic surgeons earn well above the national full-time average, but the exact figure depends on experience, location, practice type, and hours. The median weekly earnings of $3,905 provide a useful benchmark, but individual salaries can be higher or lower. For a personalised comparison, you can Place a salary on the line to see how it stacks up against the national average.
For more details on how we calculate these figures, see How the figures are set.