Intern Salary by State: Which Pays Most? (2025–26)
Australian interns are paid under separate public-hospital awards in each state and territory. This guide compares 2025–26 intern base salary and estimated take-home pay across the eight jurisdictions using the same roster assumptions, with links to each state pay guide for the finer award details.
Contents
Summary table
| State/Territory | Base salary (intern) | Estimated take-home after tax & HECS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland (QLD) | $94,670 | $69,437 | Highest base pay and net pay; 38 h week; 6 weeks of annual leave. |
| Western Australia (WA) | $90,864 | $67,420 | 40 h week; 4 weeks leave (160 hours); extra leave possible from on-call and Sunday/public holiday work. |
| Northern Territory (NT) | $90,150 | $67,042 | 6 weeks leave (4 + 2 weeks if NT-based); 7 weeks if seven-day shiftworker. 2.5× public-holiday rate. |
| South Australia (SA) | $88,869 | $66,363 | 38 h week and overtime at 1.5x then 2x; 5 weeks leave. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | $88,485 | $66,159 | 38 h week; overtime at 1.5x; 5 weeks leave. |
| Tasmania (TAS) | $87,000 | $65,372 | Lower base but 20 days sick leave; ordinary hours 38 h. |
| Victoria (VIC) | $83,409 | $63,469 | 38 h week; 5 weeks leave; highest registrar pay later on. |
| New South Wales (NSW) | $80,570 | $61,964 | Lowest base and net pay; overtime rates 1.5x then 2x. |
Figures are for full-time interns (PGY1) working ordinary hours. “After-tax” estimates include the Medicare levy and assume a HECS/HELP balance; your take-home pay will vary with exact roster, salary packaging and personal circumstances.
Which state pays the most?
On both gross and net measures, Queensland currently tops the table. A starting intern earns around $94,670 per year and takes home roughly $69 k after tax and HECS. Western Australia and the Northern Territory follow closely, offering base salaries above $90 k with net pay around $67 k. Queensland also offers six weeks of annual leave, while NT's leave settings can be particularly generous for NT-based doctors and seven-day shiftworkers.
At the other end, New South Wales pays the lowest base salary at $80,570 with an estimated take-home of about $62 k. Victoria sits mid-pack in base pay but has a relatively flat intern/resident scale and higher registrar salaries later on.
Beyond base pay: overtime and penalties
Base rates only tell part of the story. Actual take-home pay depends heavily on night shifts, weekend work and overtime. Jurisdictions differ in their penalty structures:
- QLD offers the highest Sunday loading (200%). WA leads on night-shift penalties (25%) and its higher overtime trigger structure.
- NT pays 2.5× for public holidays and offers 6 weeks of annual leave for NT-based doctors, with a seventh week for seven-day shiftworkers.
- NSW has 1.5× Saturday and 1.75× Sunday loadings; VIC pays 1.5× for both and limits intern study leave.
- QLD includes six weeks of annual leave and the highest base pay; penalties are similar to NSW but overtime loadings start at 1.5×.
How to choose a state
If salary is your main driver, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory stand out on both gross and net measures. However, consider the full package:
- Overtime expectations: Rosters in remote areas may include more after-hours work and extended overtime, which can significantly boost take-home pay but also increase fatigue.
- Cost of living: Higher salaries in the NT and WA may be offset by higher housing and travel costs in Darwin or regional WA. Conversely, NSW’s lower pay may go further if you live in a subsidised hospital residence.
- Career pathways: Some states offer more subspecialty training positions or faster progression to registrar pay scales (e.g. Victoria’s registrar base salary of $126 k).
- Leave and allowances: Longer annual leave or extra leave accrual opportunities (e.g. QLD, or NT for NT-based doctors and seven-day shiftworkers) can increase total remuneration.
Compare your state
Estimates are indicative; actual take-home varies by roster, salary packaging, and personal circumstances.
I'm ranking preferences — how should I weigh this up?
Base salary is a useful starting point but it rarely settles the decision on its own. Here is how to think through it if you are a final-year student completing a match or preference form.
Step 1: Model your actual roster, not just the base rate
The difference between states narrows or widens significantly once penalties and overtime are included. An intern doing frequent nights and weekends in WA can take home more than a QLD intern on ordinary hours, despite QLD's higher base. Use the salary calculator to run the same roster assumptions in two states side by side.
Step 2: Factor in cost of living
A higher salary in Darwin or regional WA may be partly offset by higher housing and travel costs. Conversely, NSW's lower base pay can go further if you are in subsidised hospital accommodation. The net difference in disposable income is often smaller than the gross salary gap suggests.
Step 3: Check leave and progression, not just intern pay
Intern salary is only one year of your training. QLD offers six weeks of annual leave. NT offers 6 weeks for NT-based doctors, with a seventh week only for seven-day shiftworkers. Victoria has a flatter intern and resident scale but higher registrar salaries. If you are planning to train in a particular specialty, check the registrar pay for that state too.
Step 4: Weight training and lifestyle alongside the numbers
A few thousand dollars in salary difference is unlikely to outweigh a better training environment, a specialty you want access to, or proximity to family. Use the financial picture to rule out states that are clearly worse for you — not necessarily to pick the highest number.
For a personalised breakdown, open the calculator, set your state and grade, and enter a realistic roster. Then switch states and compare. Open the salary calculator →
Sources & methodology
How these figures were put together
These figures are award-based estimates for full-time interns (PGY1) on ordinary hours. Base salary comes from the current state pay data in the site, and the estimated take-home figure includes Medicare levy and an assumed HECS/HELP balance using the calculator’s current assumptions. This page is not personal financial advice.
For full award details, loadings tables and worked examples, see the individual state pages on AussieClinicians. All data are based on the 2025–26 awards and information available as of March 2026.