What is the minimum hourly rate for a general practitioner under the award?

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum hourly rates for employed doctors. For example, a Registrar at pay point 1 earns $40.61 per hour, while an Intern earns $33.62 per hour. These rates apply to full-time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate.

How do I convert an hourly general practitioner salary to an annual figure?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week and then by 52. For a full-time employee under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. So annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, $40.61 × 38 × 52 = $80,238. This assumes no overtime, penalties, or allowances. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of this amount, up to the maximum contribution base.

How does the National Minimum Wage compare to a general practitioner salary?

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a full-time employee, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A general practitioner salary under the award is significantly higher. For instance, a Resident Medical Officer at pay point 1 earns $35.69 per hour, which is about 35% above the minimum wage. The award also provides higher overtime rates and allowances.

General Practitioner Salary: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, a Registrar at pay point 1 earns a minimum of $40.61 per hour, or $80,238 per year based on 38 ordinary hours per week.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

When you hear the term general practitioner salary, it often refers to the minimum pay set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, not the National Minimum Wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes both, and they serve different purposes. The National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2026: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours) is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award. But most doctors are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, which sets higher minimum rates for each classification.

For example, a Registrar at pay point 1 must be paid at least $40.61 per hour. That is more than 50% above the minimum wage. The award also includes penalty rates, overtime, and allowances that the minimum wage does not. Understanding which rate applies to you is the first step in working out your true pay.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual

The formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time employee under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. So a Registrar at $40.61 per hour earns:

$40.61 × 38 × 52 = $80,238 per year (before tax and super).

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 two hours on weekdays, 200% thereafter). The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual equivalent instantly.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply the weekly rate by 2. For a Registrar at pay point 1, the weekly rate is $1,543.23 (from the award pay guide), so fortnightly gross is $3,086.46. This can help you budget between pay cycles.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual doctor, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For a Registrar at pay point 1, that means $40.61 × 1.25 = $50.76 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave, notice of termination, or redundancy benefits. When using the timesheet, tick the casual loading checkbox to add 25% on top of the base rate – do not enter a rate that already includes loading.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Under the award, employers must pay superannuation contributions equal to 12% of your ordinary earnings. This is on top of your gross pay, not deducted from it. For a Registrar earning $80,238 per year, that adds $9,628.56 in super (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). The super and packaging page explains how salary sacrifice interacts with super.

Tax and Medicare

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

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds). For a Registrar on $80,238, the tax would be approximately $16,507 plus Medicare of $1,604, leaving a take-home of about $62,127. Use the take-home pay tool for a more detailed estimate.

General Practitioner Salary in Context

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that median full-time earnings for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers were $2,446 per week in May 2025, or about $60 per hour. That is higher than the award minimum because many GPs are experienced or work in private practice. However, the award provides a safety net for employed doctors. The reference tables on this site compare award rates to market averages.

Key Takeaways

The National Minimum Wage is $26.44/hour for 38 hours; award rates for doctors are much higher.
Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 to get annual gross pay.
Fortnightly pay is weekly rate × 2.
Casual loading adds 25% on top of the base hourly rate.
Super is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top.
Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home pay.

For a full breakdown of your specific situation, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman or use the hourly conversion tool.