What is the minimum salary for a cardiologist under the Medical Practitioners Award?

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets a minimum annual salary of $129,953 for a Senior Specialist at Pay point 1 (the standard rate). This is based on 38 ordinary hours per week. Cardiologists with more experience or in higher pay points earn more. The award also provides for overtime, penalty rates, and allowances. Actual cardiologist salaries are often well above the award minimum, as reflected in ABS earnings data.

How many hours do cardiologists typically work each week?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, based on the 2021 Census, 82% of cardiologists work full-time, and the average full-time hours are 49 per week. This is higher than the 38-hour ordinary week in the award. Hours beyond 38 are generally overtime and attract penalty rates (e.g., 150% for the first 2 hours Monday–Saturday). The award also requires at least 2 days off per week or 4 days per fortnight.

How is superannuation calculated for a cardiologist?

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings on top of the salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026-27). For a cardiologist earning $129,953, the super contribution would be $15,594.36 per year. Super is paid on top of the salary, not deducted from it. The award also allows employees to make additional voluntary contributions from post-tax wages.

Cardiologist Salary: Award Rates, Hours, and Tax in Australia 2026-27

Under the Medical Practitioners Award, a Senior Specialist (Pay point 1) earns a minimum annual salary of $129,953 based on 38 ordinary hours per week, but actual cardiologist earnings are typically higher.

Understanding the Cardiologist Salary Landscape

When researching a cardiologist salary in Australia, it's important to distinguish between the minimum award rates set by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the actual earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Cardiologists are highly specialised medical practitioners, and their pay reflects years of training and demanding hours. This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, while accounting for tax and superannuation.

Award Minimums and the Medical Practitioners Award

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Medical Practitioners Award 2020 covers cardiologists. The award classifies doctors from Intern to Senior Specialist. For a Senior Specialist at Pay point 1, the minimum annual salary is $129,953 (the standard rate used for allowances). This is based on 38 ordinary hours per week. The award also specifies higher pay points for more experienced specialists. For example, a Resident Medical Officer at Pay point 3 earns $74,083 per year. These rates are updated annually through the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.

It's crucial to note that the award minimum is a floor, not a ceiling. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial cardiologists (from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) are significantly higher than the award rate. However, the exact median figure is not published in the public summary. For a more general benchmark, the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which equates to about $108,352 per year for a 38-hour week. Cardiologists typically earn well above this average.

Hours Worked and Overtime

Cardiologists work long hours. The 2021 Census data analysed by Jobs and Skills Australia shows that 82% work full-time, and the average full-time hours are 49 per week – well above the 38-hour ordinary week. Under the award, hours beyond 38 are overtime. Overtime rates are:

Monday to Saturday: first 2 hours at 150%, after 2 hours at 200%
Sunday: all day at 200%
Public holidays: all day at 250%

There are also penalty rates for ordinary hours worked outside standard times, such as evenings and weekends. For example, Monday to Friday between 6 pm and midnight attracts 112.5% of the ordinary hourly rate. These loadings can significantly boost take-home pay.

From Hourly to Annual: The Calculation

To estimate your annual gross salary, use the formula:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a cardiologist on the award minimum of $129,953 per year (38 hours), the hourly rate is about $65.70. But if you work 49 hours per week at the ordinary rate (ignoring overtime), the annual figure would be $65.70 × 49 × 52 = $167,500. In reality, overtime and penalties would push this higher. Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. Remember, casual loading is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it.

For a quick reference, see our pay guides for award classifications. You can also check reference tables for tax and super rates.

Tax and Super on Your Cardiologist Salary

Once you have your annual gross, you can estimate tax using the 2026-27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% on excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,420 + 45% on excess over $190,000

Add the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025-26 thresholds for singles). For a cardiologist earning $200,000, the tax would be approximately $51,420 + 45% of $10,000 = $55,920, plus Medicare levy of $4,000, total $59,920. Take-home pay would be around $140,080 per year.

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $200,000 salary, the employer contributes $24,000 per year into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay. Learn more about super and packaging.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For example, if your annual salary is $150,000, weekly is $2,884.62, and fortnightly is $5,769.23. After tax and Medicare, your fortnightly take-home might be around $4,200 (depending on your circumstances). Use our take-home pay guide for more detail.

Remember, the figures here are estimates. They assume the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. For a personalised calculation, always consult a tax professional or use the ATO's online tools.