Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Physician vs Physician Assistant salary

In Australia, a physician assistant earns about 16% more than a physician $226,235 vs $195,700 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Physician
$195,700/yr
Monthly
$16,308
Hourly
$94
Range
$125,262$281,822
10-yr outlook
+3%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$226,235/yr
Monthly
$18,876
Hourly
$109
Range
$165,165$300,906
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$125,262$165,165
25th$160,446$195,700
Median$195,700$226,235
75th$238,726$263,570
Senior (90th)$281,822$300,906

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician or physician assistant earn more in Australia?
A physician assistant earns more, at about $326,000 per year vs $282,000 for a physician — roughly 16% ($44,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A physician typically earns $180,500–$406,100, while a physician assistant earns $238,000–$433,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician averages about $23,500 and a physician assistant about $27,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a physician earns about $180,500 while a physician assistant earns about $238,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a physician earns about $406,100 while a physician assistant earns about $433,600 per year.
Are physician and physician assistant similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.