Psychiatrist Salary Australia: What the Official Data Shows
When searching for a psychiatrist salary in Australia, you might expect a clear figure from official sources. However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the occupation of Psychiatrists (ANZSCO 2534). According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the median full-time earnings for psychiatrists are marked as "N/A" because the relative standard error is 25% or higher – meaning the sample is too small to be reliable. This is common for specialised medical roles.
What We Do Know: National Benchmarks
While we lack a precise psychiatrist-specific median, we can compare against the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, reports this figure at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the line used on this site. For context, the full-time median across all occupations is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Psychiatrists, as medical specialists, almost certainly earn well above these medians.
Related Occupations: Psychologists and Psychotherapists
For a nearby comparison, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that Psychologists and Psychotherapists (ANZSCO 2723) have a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,204, or about $114,608 per year. Their median hourly earnings are $60. While psychiatrists are a separate, more highly trained profession, this gives a lower-bound indication. Psychiatrists typically earn more due to their medical degree, specialist training, and ability to prescribe medication.
How Psychiatrist Pay Sits Against the National Average
Given the lack of a published median, we cannot say exactly where the typical psychiatrist sits relative to the national line of $2,083.70 per week. However, based on industry knowledge and the fact that psychiatrists are in high demand, their earnings are likely significantly above average. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that 66% of psychiatrists work full-time, with an average of 44 hours per week. The median age is 46, and 52% are female.
State-by-State Averages for Context
If you are considering where to work, remember that average earnings vary by state. The national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week, but state figures (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) range from $1,846.30 in Tasmania to $2,290.20 in the ACT. For a full breakdown, see our States and territories page.
Taxation on a Psychiatrist's Salary
Assuming a psychiatrist earns well above the national average, the 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions). For example, on a salary of $200,000, the tax would be substantial. Use our Guides for more on tax calculations.
Where to Find More Data
If you want to compare your salary to other occupations, visit our Job medians page. For industry-specific data, see Industry medians. And to understand how these figures are compiled, read How the figures are set.
The Bottom Line
While the ABS cannot provide a reliable median for psychiatrists, the role is a high-earning medical specialty. The national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week is a useful benchmark, but actual psychiatrist salaries are likely much higher. For personalised salary information, consult your employer, industry awards, or the ATO's tax statistics. You can also Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares.