How Much I Earn as a Second-Year Doctor

Australian Doctor Pay Slip Revealed

Ever wondered what Australian doctors actually make, especially in those early career years? As a second-year doctor, I’m pulling back the curtain to share my latest payslip, breaking down each component of my earnings—from base pay to allowances, overtime, and deductions. This gives a clear view of what junior doctors can expect to earn in Australia, and how working conditions can influence take-home pay.

my payslip breakdown

Base Pay: Steady but Not Simple

In my second year, the base hourly rate has risen to $44.75, a bit higher than what I earned as an intern (which was around $39 to $41 an hour). Doctors here are rostered for 76 hours every fortnight, which guarantees a minimum income even if we don’t hit all of those hours in a given week. For this particular cycle, I only clocked in at 69 hours, but due to a public holiday, I was still paid for the full 76 hours. This system is designed to ensure consistency in pay, which can be reassuring given the demands of the job.

Public Holiday Pay: A Nice Perk

Public holidays come with a major pay bump—2.5 times the usual rate, or 250%. Although I didn’t work this recent public holiday, I still received my standard rate for the hours I was rostered. Had I worked the holiday, I would’ve earned an extra $1,363 for the shift, illustrating how holiday pay can be a meaningful addition. Rostered public holidays are like a small bonus for junior doctors and provide a significant lift in income if worked.

Allowances: Helping with the Costs of Medical Practice

On top of my base pay, there are a few allowances meant to support both my well-being and professional growth:

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) Allowance: Medicine is a field that requires constant learning, and this allowance covers expenses for things like textbooks, online courses, or equipment (like a stethoscope). This helps with the costs associated with keeping up to date with medical advances and maintaining essential skills.

• Meal Allowance: Working long shifts is the norm in medicine, and if I work over 11 hours in a 24-hour period, I get a meal allowance of $10.80 (which is set to increase slightly in 2025). Though it doesn’t cover a full meal in many places these days, it’s a small concession for those longer days at the hospital.

  
  

Overtime: Where Extra Earnings Add Up

In this particular fortnight, I worked an additional 18 hours of overtime. Overtime in this role is compensated well but in a tiered manner:

• The first two hours are paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate, so $65.47 per hour.

• Beyond that, every additional hour is paid at double the rate, giving me about $89.50 per hour.

  
  

  

  overtime definition

  
  

This time around, my overtime alone added around $1,600 to my pay. Overtime is a mixed bag: it’s a significant income boost, but it also means longer hours in an already demanding environment.

Deductions: The Reality of Take-Home Pay

While my total gross earnings for the fortnight were $5,427, deductions quickly reduce this amount:

• Income Tax: Nearly $2,000 was withheld for taxes.

• HECS Debt: Like many professionals, I’m paying off a student loan. Around $200 went toward my HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) debt, reducing my educational costs.

• Salary Packaging Fee: I use salary packaging, which helps optimize my income by allowing certain expenses to be pre-tax. This service comes with a small fee of $7 each fortnight, but it can save a good amount over time.

After all the deductions, my take-home pay was $3,255. This is the actual amount deposited into my bank account.

money they take away from me (deductions)

The Benefits and Challenges of a Medical Career in Australia

As a second-year doctor, it’s clear that while the compensation is respectable, there’s more than meets the eye. Between the allowances, overtime opportunities, and rostered hours, doctors have a complex pay structure that often involves more than just the base hourly rate. There’s also the reality of long shifts and high-stress environments that aren’t always reflected in the pay alone.

Public holiday rates and overtime certainly enhance the income, and salary packaging options are a helpful way to manage some of the financial load. However, working in healthcare also comes with unique challenges and sacrifices. For instance, while the public holiday pay rate is great, not everyone relishes working those days or long shifts when friends and family are off.

Final Thoughts: Year Two and Beyond

This payslip reflects a stage in my medical career where income, responsibilities, and hours are gradually increasing. Each year comes with new earning potential as well as fresh learning and service demands.

I hope this breakdown provides a clear view into the life of a junior doctor in Australia—both the financial rewards and the time commitment. Stay tuned as I continue to share more about this journey. Next year, I'll update you on what the pay looks like as a third-year doctor, with new responsibilities and opportunities ahead.

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