General Practice is a among the most in-demand roles in the Australian healthcare system. Healthcare Australia’s (HCA) 2026 Salary Guide forecasts a shortfall of 5,000 or more GPs over the next five years if current trends continue, with GPs named among the medical roles facing shortages in every state and territory.
GP pay is genuinely complex to benchmark, since it depends on billing mix, employment arrangement and practice type as much as experience. Companies also may incentivise GPs to join rural and remote practices or to work on secondments in those areas for days a month or in blocks. This article uses HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, the only published GP salary benchmark in the guide’s Doctors section, to set out what GPs can expect to earn in Australia in 2026 and what’s shaping demand for the role.
How much does a GP earn in Australia in 2026?
Figures below are annual base earnings, exclusive of superannuation (12% from 1 July 2025). HCA notes GP salaries are affected by a wide range of factors including practice volumes, billing mix (bulk billing versus private), employment arrangement (employee versus contractor) and location. GPs may earn more in rural and regional locations in a public setting, though in private practice this may be less.
| State | 0-3 Years | 3-8 Years | 8+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | $295,000 | $320,000 | $350,000 |
| NSW | $295,000 | $320,000 | $370,000 |
| NT | $250,000 | $275,000 | $320,000 |
| QLD | $285,000 | $330,000 | $370,000 |
| SA | $230,000 | $290,000 | $350,000 |
| TAS | $230,000 | $280,000 | $360,000 |
| VIC | $245,000 | $300,000 | $390,000 |
| WA | $255,000 | $320,000 | $400,000 |
Source: Healthcare Australia 2026 Salary Guide (HCA market research and workforce surveys). Salaries shown are annual base rates, exclusive of superannuation. Superannuation increased to 12% from 1 July 2025.
Figures are a mid-financial-year benchmark; an increase of roughly 3–3.5% can reasonably be expected from July 2026. Regional variances, Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and awards may affect actual pay.
To view salary bandings in detail, please download our salary guide.
Why GPs remain one of the most in-demand roles in healthcare
General Practitioner is one of the medical roles HCA identifies as facing shortages across every state and territory, alongside Specialist Physicians, Resident Medical Officers and Pediatricians. Nationally, 100% of medical practitioner occupations tracked by HCA are currently in shortage.
Without a change in trends, forecasts state there will be a shortfall of 5,000 or more GPs over the next five years, adding to a broader global shortage of healthcare workers and mounting pressure across primary care. Job numbers for GPs grew 24.4% between 2013 and 2022, a solid pace, though behind the 66.5% growth seen in allied health and the 41.1% growth among medical practitioners excluding GPs. There is particular need in the coming years to service the aging population, who tend to utilise GPs more than other parts of the community.
What’s shaping GP pay and demand in 2026
HCA’s Doctors lead, Aimie Greenfield, points to a growing GP shortfall as the forecast plays out in practice, giving GPs real options in the current market. The Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP), which simplifies visa applications and provides a pathway to permanent residency for internationally qualified specialists, has attracted substantial interest from GPs specifically. As of August 2025, 473 internationally qualified specialists had applied for the ESP, 410 of them from the UK, and 397 of all applications were for General Practice. Rural and regional workforce churn remains a persistent challenge, and regulatory bottlenecks, including supervisor shortages and complex fellowship or registration processes, continue to slow the path for overseas-trained practitioners into Australian general practice.
How to increase your earnings as a GP
- Explore mixed billing models. Combining bulk billing with private billing can increase overall income, and a higher private-billing mix can boost earnings potential.
- Choose a busy practice. Higher-billing, higher-traffic practices with a stronger private mix are likely to generate better billings for the GP.
- Find a subspecialty. Qualifications in high-demand areas such as dermatology, gynaecology, mental health, geriatrics, minor surgery, or chronic disease management attract greater demand and higher remuneration.
- Consider rural or remote practice. Roles outside major cities may offer higher salaries, relocation incentives and a distinct lifestyle. Advanced Skills Training (AST) can also open a pathway to becoming a Rural Generalist.
- Engage with a medical recruitment specialist. Partnering with a healthcare recruiter can open access to exclusive roles, market insights and career guidance.
- Look into locum opportunities. Locum work provides flexibility, a variety of experience and often higher short-term earning potential.
A note on specialist doctor pay
HCA’s guide deliberately does not publish salary benchmarks for specialist doctor roles such as surgeons, specialist physicians, or psychiatrists, given how significantly billings, the private-public mix, and practice ownership affect actual earnings. If you’re a specialist doctor weighing up your options, HCA’s Doctors recruitment team is available to talk through current market rates for your specific circumstances.
To view more details, check out our salary guide
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average GP salary in Australia in 2026?
HCA’s 2026 data shows GP base earnings ranging from around $230,000 to $295,000 for GPs with 0-3 years’ experience, rising to $320,000-$400,000+ for GPs with 8 or more years’ experience, depending on the state. - Why are GPs in such high demand? HCA forecasts a shortfall of 5,000 or more GPs over the next five years if current trends continue, and General Practitioner is one of the medical roles in shortage across every Australian state and territory.
- Does billing mix affect GP pay? Yes. HCA notes that GP earnings are affected by practice volume, billing mix (bulk billing versus private), employment arrangement, and location, meaning two GPs with the same experience can earn very different amounts.
Download our Salary Guide (Salary Guide CTA)
Talk to a healthcare recruitment specialist
Healthcare Australia’s Doctors team recruits GPs and specialist doctors into permanent and locum roles nationally, backed by more than 50 years of healthcare-specific recruitment experience. This article draws on data from HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, which also covers nursing, allied health, medical imaging, mental health and healthcare leadership roles. Contact us today to speak about opportunities with HCA.
