What is the minimum hourly rate for a veterinary surgeon under the award?

Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 1A veterinary surgeon is $34.20 per hour for full-time or part-time employees. Higher levels range up to $48.38 per hour for Level 4. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $42.75 per hour for Level 1A.

How do I convert a vet salary to an annual figure?

Annual gross pay is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time vet on 38 hours per week, multiply the hourly rate by 38 and then by 52. For example, $34.20 × 38 × 52 = $67,579 (rounded to $67,582 in the award). This assumes no overtime, penalties, or allowances.

What tax and super apply to a vet salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy is generally 2%. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Vet Salary Guide: Award Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax for Veterinary Surgeons

A full-time veterinary surgeon at Level 1A earns $34.20 per hour, or about $67,582 per year based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.

Understanding Vet Salary Under the Animal Care Award

If you're a veterinary surgeon or considering a career in veterinary medicine, knowing the correct vet salary under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 is essential. This award, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman, covers minimum pay rates for vets, nurses, and other animal care staff. The rates are updated each year, typically from 1 July.

Award Rates for Veterinary Surgeons

The award classifies veterinary surgeons into four levels (Level 1A to Level 4). As of the latest award, the minimum hourly rates for full-time and part-time employees 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

These rates are for a 38-hour week, with a minimum annual salary equivalent. For example, Level 1A works out to $67,582 per year. The award also sets rates for practice managers, veterinary nurses, and other staff.

Casual Loading and Other Pay Types

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1A vet, that means $42.75 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. The national minimum wage (for award-free employees) is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, with a casual loading of 25% making it $33.05 per hour.

Converting Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time vet working 38 hours per week, this is straightforward. For example, $34.20 × 38 × 52 = $67,579 (the award lists $67,582 due to rounding). This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you are part-time, use your agreed weekly hours.

You can also calculate your fortnightly pay: weekly pay × 2. For a Level 1A vet, weekly pay is $34.20 × 38 = $1,299.60, so fortnightly is $2,599.20.

Tax and Super on Your Vet Salary

Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office:

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

Most residents also pay a Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income (with possible reductions for low-income earners). The Medicare levy surcharge applies if you don't have appropriate private hospital cover and earn above a threshold, but that is not included in this estimate.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your salary. For 2026–27, the maximum contribution base is $270,830, meaning super is only paid on earnings up to that amount. For a vet earning $67,582, super would be about $8,110 per year.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, check the box to add 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading. The calculator will show your annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly pay, along with an estimate of tax and super. It uses the same formula and assumptions described here.

For more detailed pay guides, see our pay guides page. You can also explore job pay for other occupations covered by awards.

Comparing Vet Salary to National Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A Level 1A vet at $1,299.60 per week is below that average, while a Level 4 vet at $1,838.44 per week is closer. Remember that award rates are minimums; many vets may earn above award depending on experience, location, and practice type.

Important Disclaimer

The annual pay shown here is an estimate based on hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For the most accurate information, always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman for award rates and the ATO for tax and super obligations.