What is the minimum hourly rate for a dermatologist in Australia?

Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, a specialist (including dermatologists) has a minimum hourly rate of $67.66 from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. This rate applies to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $84.58 per hour.

How is annual salary calculated from an hourly rate?

Annual gross salary is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time dermatologist on $67.66 per hour working 38 hours per week, the annual salary is $67.66 × 38 × 52 = $133,700.16. Fortnightly pay is the weekly rate ($2,570.93) multiplied by 2, giving $5,141.86 before tax and super.

Does the dermatologist salary include superannuation?

No, the minimum award salary does not include superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary earnings into a super fund, on top of the base salary. For a dermatologist earning $133,700, the super contribution would be about $16,044 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Dermatologist Salary Australia: Award Rates, Hourly Conversion, and Tax Guide

A full-time specialist dermatologist under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 earns a minimum hourly rate of $67.66, equating to about $133,700 per year based on 38 ordinary hours per week.

Understanding the Dermatologist Salary in Australia

When researching a dermatologist salary Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum under the relevant award and the actual market rates that may be higher. Dermatologists are classified as specialists under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), which sets minimum pay rates, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime conditions. The most recent rates, effective from 1 July 2026, are published in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database and the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide.

For a full-time specialist, the minimum ordinary hourly rate is $67.66, which corresponds to a weekly rate of $2,570.93 for 38 hours. This is the base rate before any allowances, penalty rates, or overtime. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top, making the casual rate $84.58 per hour.

The National Minimum Wage vs. the Award Rate

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). This applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. However, dermatologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, which sets a much higher minimum. The award rate of $67.66 is more than 2.5 times the national minimum, reflecting the specialised skills and training required.

It is also worth comparing the award rate to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time employees, which was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. The dermatologist award weekly rate of $2,570.93 is above that average, but many dermatologists in private practice or senior roles earn significantly more than the award minimum.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual Salary

The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume 38 ordinary hours per week, as defined in the award for full-time employees. For a dermatologist on the minimum award rate:

Hourly: $67.66
Weekly: $67.66 × 38 = $2,570.93
Fortnightly: $2,570.93 × 2 = $5,141.86
Annual: $67.66 × 38 × 52 = $133,700.16

This calculation assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work more than 38 hours, overtime rates apply (150% for the first 2 hours Monday–Saturday, 200% after that and on Sundays). Use our hourly conversion tool to estimate your own figures.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If a dermatologist is employed as a casual, they receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate in lieu of paid leave and other entitlements. The casual hourly rate is $67.66 × 1.25 = $84.58. This loading is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator; instead, use the base rate and check the casual loading option.

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings to a complying super fund. For a dermatologist earning $133,700, the annual super contribution would be about $16,044, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This super is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional cost to the employer. See our super and packaging guide for more details.

Tax Considerations

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% of excess over $135,000
Over $190,000: $51,370 + 45% of excess over $190,000

A dermatologist earning $133,700 falls into the 30% bracket. The tax on that income would be approximately $4,020 + 30% × ($133,700 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $26,610 = $30,630. The Medicare levy of 2% adds another $2,674, bringing total tax and Medicare to about $33,304. This leaves an after-tax income of roughly $100,396. Note that the Medicare levy reduction thresholds used here are the 2025–26 single thresholds, as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide. For a personalised estimate, use our take-home pay calculator.

Using Our Tools

Our timesheet allows you to enter a base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. It then calculates weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, along with estimated tax and super. For award-specific rates, refer to our pay guides which summarise the latest Fair Work determinations. You can also explore reference tables for the National Minimum Wage and award classifications.

Remember that the figures here are minimums under the award. Actual dermatologist salaries can be higher, especially for senior specialists or those in private practice. Always check your employment contract and the applicable award for your exact entitlements.