Podiatrist salary Australia: Where does it sit against the national line?
If you are searching for a podiatrist salary in Australia, you will find that the official statistics do not publish a precise median figure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia both report that median weekly earnings for podiatrists (ANZSCO 2526) are not available due to a high standard error in the survey data. That does not mean the occupation is poorly paid – it means we need to look at the broader context to understand where podiatrist pay might sit relative to the national full-time average.
The national benchmark
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 gives the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings as $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its reference point. For comparison, the full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) is about $1,887 a week ($98,124 a year), and the all-employees median is about $1,436 a week ($74,672 a year). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 a week on a 38-hour week ($52,255 a year).
Podiatrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat foot disorders. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 6,600 podiatrists employed nationally, 75% work full-time, and the median age is 43. The female share of employment is 58%. These demographics can influence earnings, but without a published median, we rely on industry and sector patterns.
Sector and location matter
Podiatrists work in both the public sector (e.g., public hospitals, community health) and the private sector (private practices, clinics). The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data shows that public sector full-time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,263.10 a week ($117,681 a year), while private sector earnings are $2,034.10 a week ($105,773 a year). Podiatrists in public hospitals may therefore earn above the national average, while those in private practice may earn closer to or below it, depending on patient volume and business costs.
Location also makes a significant difference. The States and territories page shows the full-time average for each state and territory based on the ABS May 2026 data:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
A podiatrist working in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, simply because the overall wage level is higher in those states. However, cost of living and demand for services also vary.
Experience and specialisation
Podiatrists can specialise in areas such as sports podiatry, paediatric podiatry, or diabetes foot care. Specialisation often leads to higher earnings, especially in private practice where practitioners can charge higher consultation fees. The ABS does not break down earnings by specialisation, but the general principle holds: more experience and niche skills push pay upward.
How the figures are set
The national average and medians come from two different ABS surveys. The Average Weekly Earnings survey (published twice a year, for May and November) measures the average earnings of all employees, including managers. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey (published annually) provides medians and distributions, and it excludes owner-managers of incorporated enterprises. The How the figures are set page explains the methodology in more detail.
For podiatrists, the lack of a published median means we cannot give a single number. But we can say that a podiatrist working full-time in a public hospital in Western Australia is likely to earn well above the national average, while a newly graduated podiatrist in a private clinic in Tasmania may earn below it. The national minimum wage ensures a floor, and the professional registration requirements typically support earnings above the all-employees median.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies to most taxpayers. A podiatrist earning $100,000 would pay about $22,967 in tax plus $2,000 Medicare levy, leaving about $75,033 after tax. Those earning above the national average of $108,352 would be in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare.
Summary
While a precise podiatrist salary figure is not published, the available data suggests that podiatrists are likely to earn around or above the national full-time average of $108,352, especially in the public sector and in higher-wage states. The absence of a median does not mean the occupation is low-paid – it reflects statistical limitations. For a personalised estimate, consider your sector, location, and experience, and Place a salary on the line to see how it compares.