Anaesthetist salary in Australia: what anaesthetists earned according to the ATO, the public hospital staff specialist scales they're paid on in NSW and Queensland, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
The ATO median salary or wage for anaesthetists was $235,037 in 2023-24 (average $269,923). In public hospitals they're staff specialists: $197,583 to start in NSW and $225,305 in Queensland Health.
Anaesthetists give anaesthesia and pain relief for surgery and childbirth and look after patients' breathing and circulation during operations. Many combine a public staff specialist or visiting job with private lists billed per case, so their income is often well above the public salary scale.
What anaesthetists earn
| Anaesthetists | |
|---|---|
| People (ATO) | 3,735 |
| Median salary or wage | $235,037 |
| Average salary or wage | $269,923 |
| Median, men | $248,966 |
| Median, women | $216,977 |
| Rank among the 10 specialties on our list | 3 of 10 |
ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24, Table 15A. Salary or wage only: income billed through a doctor's own practice or company isn't included. See all specialties.
Public hospital salary
Public hospitals don't have a separate scale for each specialty: anaesthetists are paid on the same staff specialist scale as other specialists.
| NSW Health | Per year |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $197,583 |
| Year 2 | $209,137 |
| Year 3 | $220,686 |
| Year 4 | $232,267 |
| Year 5 | $243,822 |
| Senior staff specialist | $266,942 |
| Queensland Health | Per year |
|---|---|
| Staff Specialist (L18 to L24) | $225,305 to $260,864 |
| Staff Specialist - Senior Status (L25 to L27) | $268,430 to $284,318 |
| Staff Specialist - Eminent Status (L28) | $296,058 |
| Staff Specialist - Pre-Eminent Status (L29) | $311,764 |
NSW from 1 July 2025, Queensland from 1 September 2026. Details and take-home pay on the specialist doctor salary page.
Training
Anaesthetists complete a medical degree and internship, then five years of specialist training after at least two years as a junior doctor, and become fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). During training they're paid as registrars.
Other specialties: Radiologist · Surgeon. See also junior doctor and registrar salary.
Common questions
How much does a anaesthetist earn in Australia?
The ATO median salary or wage for anaesthetists was $235,037 in 2023-24, and the average $269,923. Public hospital anaesthetists are paid as staff specialists: $197,583 to $266,942 in NSW and from $225,305 in Queensland Health, plus private practice income.
How do you become a anaesthetist?
After medical school and junior doctor years, five years of specialist training after at least two years as a junior doctor, leading to fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
What does a anaesthetist registrar earn?
Trainees are paid as registrars on the junior doctor scales, not as specialists. See registrar pay by state on the junior doctor salary page.
Do male and female anaesthetists earn the same?
Not on ATO figures: the median salary or wage was $248,966 for men and $216,977 for women in 2023-24, partly reflecting differences in hours worked.
Sources: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24; NSW Health IB2026_006; Queensland Health medical officer wage rates. Checked 2026-10-23. General information only.