Vet salary in Australia
If you are researching a vet salary in Australia, the most reliable public figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award. This award sets the legal minimum pay for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers, and receptionists. The award rates are updated each financial year, and the current rates apply from 1 July 2026.
Minimum award rates for veterinary surgeons
Under the award, veterinary surgeons are classified into four levels. The minimum annual salaries (based on a 38-hour week) are:
- Level 1A: $67,582
- Level 1B: $71,300
- Level 2: $77,032
- Level 3: $84,628
- Level 4: $95,593
These are the minimums. Many veterinary surgeons earn more, especially those with experience or in private practice. The award also provides penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, which can boost total earnings.
How vet salaries compare to the national average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the reference line used on this site.
Even the top award level for a veterinary surgeon ($95,593) is below the national full-time average. The gap is about $12,759 per year. For a Level 1A vet, the gap is over $40,000. This means that, on award rates alone, veterinary surgeons earn less than the typical full-time worker across all industries.
However, the full-time median (the middle point of all full-time salaries) is about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). A Level 3 or Level 4 vet on award rates sits close to or above that median. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100, which is above the Level 1A rate but below Level 2.
Take-home pay: a resident sketch
Using the 2026–27 tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, here is an estimate of after-tax income for a veterinary surgeon on the award:
- Level 1A ($67,582): tax ~$10,737, Medicare ~$1,352, take-home ~$55,493
- Level 3 ($84,628): tax ~$17,467, Medicare ~$1,693, take-home ~$65,468
- Level 4 ($95,593): tax ~$21,868, Medicare ~$1,912, take-home ~$71,813
Compare this to the national full-time average take-home: on $108,352, tax is about $27,466 and Medicare $2,167, leaving about $78,719. So a vet on the top award rate takes home about $7,000 less than the average full-time worker.
Other roles in veterinary practices
The award also covers veterinary nurses, practice managers, and receptionists. Their minimum weekly rates (full-time) range from $978.10 (introductory level) to $1,283.10 (practice manager Level 5). That translates to annual salaries from about $50,861 to $66,721. These roles are well below the national average.
State comparisons
The national full-time average varies by state. For example, the average in New South Wales is about $109,658, in Victoria $106,137, and in Western Australia $115,825. A vet on the award Level 4 salary of $95,593 would be below the average in every state. The gap is smallest in Tasmania (average $96,008) and largest in the ACT (average $119,090).
Place a salary on the line to see how a specific vet salary compares to the national average and to state averages.
Where to find more information
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award, including all classification definitions and penalty rates. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release provides the national and state averages used on this site. For medians, refer to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours release.
States and territories has a breakdown of full-time averages by state, and How the figures are set explains the methodology behind the national line.
Summary
A veterinary surgeon on award rates earns between $67,582 and $95,593 per year. This is below the national full-time average of $108,352, but the higher award levels are close to the full-time median. After tax, a vet on the top award level takes home about $71,800, compared to $78,700 for the average full-time worker. Actual salaries for vets can be higher, especially in specialist or private practice, but no official average is published.