Australian Capital Territory › Consultants & Specialists
ACT Specialist Pay 2025–26
ACT specialist doctors are employed by Canberra Health Services under the ACT Public Sector Medical Practitioners Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026. The base salary range ($204,936–$274,696) is broadly similar to NSW, but ACT has a $30,000/year Attraction and Retention Incentive and up to $55,000 relocation reimbursement for interstate recruits — features unique among Australian states. VMO arrangements are governed by individual contracts referencing a Canberra Health Services notifiable instrument.
Key takeaways
- ACT Specialist base salary runs $204,936–$274,696 (Band 1–5 + Senior Specialist) under the 2023–2026 EA, with 12.5% superannuation — higher than the 12% standard.
- $30,000/year Attraction and Retention Incentive is unique among Australian states and is reviewed every 2 years — it is a standing cash incentive, not a one-off sign-on.
- Up to $55,000 relocation reimbursement for interstate recruits, plus an 80/20 clinical/non-clinical time split is explicit in the EA.
- Total compensation stacks base salary ($204,936–$274,696) + 12.5% superannuation + $30,000 A&R Incentive + leave loading + on-call + private practice — the exact total is specialty-dependent.
Which model applies?
Most Australian Capital Territory specialists work as Specialists, VMOs, or hold concurrent appointments across both models.
Specialist
Salaried employee of Canberra Health Services. Band 1–5 + Senior Specialist. $30,000/year Attraction & Retention Incentive (unique nationally). Up to $55,000 relocation reimbursement. 12.5% superannuation. Salary packaging ~$9,010 FBT-free (EPHA — standard public hospital rate).
Jump to Specialist ↓Visiting Medical Officer (VMO)
Sessional contractor paid per session. No leave, no employer super. Suits doctors working across multiple facilities.
Jump to VMO ↓Specialist — salary
ACT uses a 5-band system plus Senior Specialist. The $30,000 Attraction and Retention Incentive is paid on top of base salary and is not included in the table below. Superannuation is 12.5% (above the national 12% standard).
| Grade | Base Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Band 1 | $204,936 | Entry level. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
| Specialist Band 2 | $218,888 | Interpolated. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
| Specialist Band 3 | $232,840 | Interpolated. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
| Specialist Band 4 | $246,792 | Interpolated. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
| Specialist Band 5 | $260,744 | Interpolated. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
| Senior Specialist | $274,696 | Confirmed upper bound from CHS advertisements. $30,000 A&R Incentive additional. |
Band 1 ($204,936) and Senior Specialist ($274,696) confirmed from CHS job advertisements. Intermediate bands are interpolated. $30,000 Attraction and Retention Incentive is additional and not included above. Superannuation: 12.5%.
Private practice
On-call, callback & penalty rates
| Payment type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-call allowance | 17.5% of ordinary rate (for rostered on-call hours) | Confirmed from ACT EA total package description. |
| Annual leave loading | 17.5% | Applied to ordinary pay during annual leave. |
| Overtime (weekday) | 150% for first 2 hours, then 200% | After ordinary hours threshold. |
| Saturday | 150% of ordinary rate | |
| Sunday | 175% of ordinary rate | |
| Public holiday | 250% of ordinary rate | |
| Attraction & Retention Incentive | $30,000/year (pro-rated part-time) | Unique to ACT. Reviewed every 2 years under the 2023–2026 EA. |
VMO — sessional rates
ACT VMO arrangements are governed by individual contracts referencing a Canberra Health Services notifiable instrument (2020-579). There is no single published sessional rate bulletin equivalent to NSW's IB2024_001. Contact the Canberra Health Services VMO contracts team at (02) 5124 9614.
| Service type | Rate per session (4 h) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / non-procedural | Per individual VMO contract | References CHS notifiable instrument 2020-579. |
| Procedural / specialist | Per individual VMO contract | Typically higher; contact CHS VMO contracts for current rates. |
- ACT VMO rates are per individual contract (notifiable instrument 2020-579). Contact CHS VMO contracts on (02) 5124 9614 for current sessional rates.
- Standard EA penalty rates and on-call loadings (which apply to salaried specialists) do not automatically apply to VMO sessions — any such entitlements must be included in the VMO contract.
- Fee-for-service VMOs billing Medicare directly operate outside CHS sessional arrangements.
- Leave, superannuation, and insurance are the VMO's responsibility.
- Private practice billing is separate from any sessional fee.
Specialist vs VMO
| Feature | Specialist | VMO |
|---|---|---|
| Employment type | Salaried employee of Canberra Health Services | Independent contractor |
| Base pay | Band 1–5 + Senior Specialist ($204,936–$274,696) | Per individual VMO contract |
| A&R Incentive | Yes — $30,000/year (unique nationally) | No |
| Relocation | Up to $55,000 reimbursement (interstate) | N/A |
| Annual leave | 5 weeks paid + 17.5% loading | No — self-funded |
| Sick leave | Paid | No |
| Superannuation | 12.5% — above national standard | Self-funded |
| On-call | 17.5% loading for rostered on-call | Negotiated |
| Time split | 80/20 clinical/non-clinical in EA | N/A — per contract |
| Insurance | WorkCover covered by employer | Self-funded medical indemnity + income protection |
| Career progression | Band 1 → Band 5 → Senior Specialist | No set progression |
| Salary packaging | ~$9,010 FBT-free (EPHA — standard public hospital) | Not applicable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the $30,000 Attraction and Retention Incentive — is it guaranteed or performance-based?
It's a defined entitlement under the 2023–2026 EA, not performance-based. All eligible Specialist and Senior Specialist classifications at Canberra Health Services receive $30,000/year (pro-rated for part-time), paid in addition to base salary. It is reviewed every 2 years under the EA. No other Australian state or territory has an equivalent incentive at this rate.
What does the 80/20 clinical/non-clinical time split mean in practice?
The 2023–2026 EA formally structures specialist contracted time as 80% clinical work and 20% non-clinical time — covering teaching, research, administration, and quality improvement activities. This is a formal recognition that non-clinical duties are part of the role, unlike some other states where specialists fit these activities into their own time.
How does the $55,000 relocation reimbursement work?
Canberra Health Services offers reimbursement of up to $55,000 for actual interstate relocation costs — removalist, travel, and temporary accommodation. It is not a cash payment upfront. Specific terms, what qualifies, and any clawback provisions if you leave before a certain tenure are set in the employment contract. Confirm the details with CHS Medical Workforce.
Can I work as both a salaried CHS specialist and do VMO sessions elsewhere?
Secondary employment is possible but requires approval from Canberra Health Services under their conflict of interest and secondary employment policy. In practice, some specialists maintain VMO engagements at private facilities. Approval is generally more straightforward when there is no conflict with rostered duties at CHS.
ACT has 12.5% superannuation — why is it higher than the national rate?
The 12.5% employer super rate is a negotiated entitlement under the 2023–2026 EA, above the statutory national minimum (11.5% from 1 July 2024, rising to 12% from 1 July 2025). Over a senior specialist's career, this additional 0.5–1% compounds into a meaningful difference in super balance.
I'm coming from the UK — would I qualify for the relocation reimbursement?
CHS's relocation reimbursement is primarily framed around Australian interstate relocation, but CHS does recruit internationally. International recruits may be able to negotiate relocation support as part of their employment offer. Raise this directly with CHS Medical Workforce during the recruitment process.