Veterinarian salary in Australia
This page shows the veterinarian salary as a yearly figure, a weekly amount, and an hourly rate. It compares pay against the national full-time adult average, the full-time median, and the minimum wage. The figures come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Fair Work.
The national benchmark
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week. That is about $108,352 a year (×52 weeks). This is the line on the site. The full-time median across all occupations is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.
Where veterinarian pay sits
The ABS does not publish an average salary specifically for veterinarians. The most reliable figure is the median full-time weekly earnings of $2,413 from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That is about $125,476 a year before tax. The median hourly rate is $64. This is above the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week and well above the national minimum wage.
Veterinarians work an average of 45 hours per week, slightly above the all-occupations average of 44 hours. About 73% work full-time. The workforce is 63% female, with a median age of 37.
Award minimums for veterinary roles
Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award, minimum pay rates apply for different classifications. For veterinary surgeons, the hourly rates from 1 July 2026 are:
- Level 1A: $34.20 per hour
- Level 1B: $36.08 per hour
- Level 2: $38.98 per hour
- Level 3: $42.83 per hour
- Level 4: $48.38 per hour
For a full-time 38-hour week, these range from about $1,299.60 to $1,838.44 per week, or $67,579 to $95,599 per year. Veterinary nurses, practice managers, receptionists, and animal attendants have separate award rates starting at $25.74 per hour for introductory level.
These are minimums. Many veterinarians earn above award, especially those in senior or specialist roles.
Reading the same pay as a year, week, and hour
Place a salary on the line lets you enter any salary and see how it compares. You can also see States and territories for state averages. The site draws the chart.
State comparisons
The national full-time average varies by state. The highest is the ACT at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at about $115,825. Tasmania is the lowest at about $96,008. The median veterinarian earnings are above all state averages except possibly the ACT.
Tax on a veterinarian salary
For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy (reductions may apply). A veterinarian earning $125,476 would fall into the 30% bracket for most of their income.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The median earnings come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which is less frequent. Award rates are set by Fair Work and updated annually. See How the figures are set for more.
Summary
Veterinarian pay is above the national full-time average. The median full-time weekly earnings of $2,413 ($125,476 per year) is about 16% higher than the national average of $2,083.70. The median hourly rate of $64 is well above the national minimum. Award minimums provide a floor, but actual pay varies. Use the tools on this site to compare any salary.