Home › New South Wales doctor pay › Consultants
NSW Consultant & Specialist Pay 2025–26
NSW specialist doctors work under one of two employment models: Staff Specialists (salaried hospital employees under the Staff Specialists (State) Award 2022) or Visiting Medical Officers (sessional contractors paid per 4-hour session). The two models differ markedly in base pay structure, leave entitlements, superannuation, and private practice access.
Last updated: 2026-07-04
By Jacob Stretton — RN & final-year medical student · figures sourced from the public EBAs & the ATO · About & methodology →
Key takeaways
- Staff Specialist Award base rates run $197,583–$266,942; the employer-paid 17.4% Special Allowance lifts effective base to $232k–$313k before TESL, overtime or private practice income.
- TESL (Training, Education and Study Leave) funding of ~$40,400–$54,900/year is paid on top of salary to support continuing professional development — a direct annual cash benefit unlike most other states.
- Right of Private Practice (RPP) allows Staff Specialists to bill privately for in-patient work; those who do not elect RPP receive a Private Practice Allowance (PPA) instead.
- VMO sessional rates (~$840–$1,250+ per 4-hour session) suit doctors working across multiple hospitals, but all leave, superannuation and insurance must be self-funded.
Which model applies?
Most New South Wales specialists work as Staff Specialists, VMOs, or hold concurrent appointments across both models. For a national overview of how the two employment models differ on pay, leave, super and private practice, see staff specialist vs VMO explained.
Staff Specialist
Salaried employee of NSW Health. Award salary + 17.4% Special Allowance + TESL funding. Rostered leave, super, and private practice rights included.
Jump to Staff Specialist ↓Visiting Medical Officer (VMO)
Sessional contractor paid per session. No leave, no employer super. Suits doctors working across multiple facilities.
Jump to VMO ↓Staff Specialist — salary
Staff Specialists are salaried employees of NSW Health, employed under the Staff Specialists (State) Award 2022. The 17.4% Special Allowance is paid by the employer on top of the Award rate, giving an effective base materially above the listed salary. TESL funding is paid annually to support CPD and study leave.
| Grade | Award rate | Special allowance (+17.4%) | Effective base | TESL (~) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Specialist – Level 1 | $197,583 | $34,379 | $231,962 | $40,400 |
| Staff Specialist – Level 2 | $209,137 | $36,390 | $245,527 | $42,800 |
| Staff Specialist – Level 3 | $220,686 | $38,399 | $259,085 | $45,200 |
| Staff Specialist – Level 4 | $232,267 | $40,414 | $272,681 | $47,700 |
| Staff Specialist – Level 5 | $243,822 | $42,425 | $286,247 | $50,100 |
| Senior Staff Specialist | $266,942 | $46,448 | $313,390 | $54,900 |
Special Allowance = 17.4% of Award Rate, paid by NSW Health on top of base. Effective Base = Award Rate + Special Allowance. TESL figures are approximate.
Data note: Salary figures are the printed rates in NSW Health Determination IB2026_006 ('1 July 2025' column — interim rates pending the NSW IRC arbitration decision, still reserved as at July 2026). Verify against IB2026_006 before any employment decision.
Private practice — RPP & PPA
Staff Specialists may elect the Right of Private Practice (RPP), allowing them to bill privately for in-patient services at their employed hospital. Those who do not elect RPP receive a Private Practice Allowance (PPA) — a percentage of the Award salary that varies by specialty and level. PPA and RPP income are separate from the Award salary and Special Allowance. The exact PPA rate and RPP conditions are set by NSW Health policy and the Staff Specialists (State) Award.
On-call, callback & penalty rates
| Payment type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-call availability | 10% of Level 1 ordinary hourly rate per hour | Paid when rostered on-call but not recalled. Rate is based on Level 1 regardless of actual grade (~$100/hr ordinary rate → ~$10/hr on-call). |
| Callback minimum | 3 hours at 150% ordinary rate | Minimum payment on recall from on-call. Hours beyond 3 continue at 150%, then 200% after 2 hours worked. |
| Overtime (weekday) | 150% for first 2 hours, then 200% | Applies to hours beyond ordinary rostered hours on weekdays. |
| Saturday | 150% of ordinary rate | All hours worked on a Saturday. |
| Sunday | 175% of ordinary rate | All hours worked on a Sunday. |
| Public holiday | 250% of ordinary rate | All hours worked on a public holiday. |
VMO — sessional rates
NSW VMOs are sessional contractors, not employees. Paid per 4-hour session, they are responsible for their own annual leave, sick leave, superannuation, medical indemnity and income protection. Session rates are set by NSW Health information bulletins. Rates below are confirmed from IB2024_001 (effective 1 July 2023). Background Practice Costs are an additional allowance for certain specialties. Check NSW Health PDS for the most recent bulletin.
| Service type | Rate per session (4 h) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting GP (< 5 years' experience) | $672.80 | Effective 1 July 2023 (IB2024_001). 4 hrs × $168.20/hr. |
| Visiting GP (5+ years / FRACGP / FACRRM) | $864.60 | Effective 1 July 2023 (IB2024_001). 4 hrs × $216.15/hr. |
| Specialist | $978.80 | Effective 1 July 2023 (IB2024_001). 4 hrs × $244.70/hr. |
| Specialist + Background Costs (Anaesthetist / Physician) | $1,103.40 | $978.80 base + $124.60 background practice costs (4 hrs × $31.15). |
| Specialist + Background Costs (Surgeon) | $1,187.00 | $978.80 base + $208.20 background practice costs (4 hrs × $52.05). |
| Senior Specialist | $1,050.40 | Effective 1 July 2023 (IB2024_001). 4 hrs × $262.60/hr. |
| Senior Specialist + Background Costs (Surgeon) | $1,258.60 | $1,050.40 base + $208.20 background practice costs. |
- Rates confirmed from IB2024_001 (effective 1 July 2023). Check NSW Health PDS for an updated bulletin for 2025–26.
- On-call and callback loadings apply to NSW VMOs under IB2024_001: on-call allowance $15.50/hr when rostered; callback loading +10% (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm), +25% (outside those hours), +50% (public holidays). These are specific to NSW VMOs — standard Award overtime does not apply.
- Regional VMO call-back attracts an additional +10% on top of the standard call-back loading.
- Background Practice Costs are an additional hourly allowance covering practice overheads for certain specialties — added on top of the base session rate.
- Fee-for-service VMOs bill Medicare directly for each service item and are not covered by the sessional rate bulletin — their income depends on Medicare rebates and private patient billing.
- Annual leave and sick leave are not provided — these costs are built into the session rate.
- Superannuation is the VMO's responsibility; most bill as ABN contractors.
Staff Specialist vs VMO
| Feature | Staff Specialist | VMO |
|---|---|---|
| Employment type | Salaried employee of NSW Health | Independent contractor |
| Base pay structure | Award rate + 17.4% Special Allowance | Per-session rate (4 hours) |
| Annual leave | 5 weeks paid + 17.5% loading | No — built into session rate |
| Sick leave | Paid sick leave entitlement | No |
| Superannuation | 12% on full salary (employer-paid) | Self-funded or negotiated |
| TESL funding | Yes (~$40,400–$54,900/year) | No |
| Private practice | RPP (bill privately) or PPA (Award-governed allowance) | Independent billing, no hospital restriction |
| On-call obligations | Rostered, paid per Award | Negotiated per individual contract |
| Insurance | WorkCover covered by employer | Self-funded medical indemnity + income protection |
| Career progression | Level 1 → Level 5 → Senior Staff Specialist | No set progression; renegotiate each contract |
| Salary packaging | ~$9,010 FBT-free (EPHA — standard public hospital) | Not applicable |
Frequently asked questions
What is TESL and when does it kick in?
TESL (Training, Education and Study Leave) is a funding entitlement under the Staff Specialists Award — not leave, but a pool of money (~$40,400–$54,900/year depending on grade) that your Local Health District must make available for conferences, courses, research, and professional development. It applies from your first day as a Staff Specialist and is paid on top of salary.
Is the 17.4% Special Allowance included in my superannuation base?
Yes. Under the Staff Specialists Award, the Special Allowance is treated as part of ordinary time earnings, so superannuation is calculated on both the Award rate and the Special Allowance combined. This is a meaningful advantage over states where similar allowances are excluded from the super base.
Can I do private practice as a Staff Specialist in NSW?
Yes, through the Right of Private Practice (RPP) arrangement. NSW Health's RPP framework allows Staff Specialists to see private patients in public hospital facilities, with income shared according to the chosen practice plan. Alternatively, the Private Practice Allowance (PPA) is a cash supplement paid in lieu of private practice participation. Details are governed by your LHD and PD2019_006.
I'm a UK NHS consultant — what level would I start at?
NSW Staff Specialist entry grade (Level 1–5) is assessed by the appointing LHD based on years of post-Fellowship specialist experience and relevant seniority. NSW doesn't use a UK-equivalent point system. UK consultants with several years' post-CCT experience would typically negotiate entry above Level 1, but the specific level is confirmed at appointment.
What's the difference between on-call allowance and callback pay for Staff Specialists?
The on-call allowance (~10% of your Level 1 ordinary hourly rate) is paid for hours rostered on-call but not recalled. Callback is a separate, higher entitlement triggered when you are actually called back to work — minimum 3 hours at overtime rates. Both apply to Staff Specialists under the Award. VMOs have separate on-call provisions under IB2024_001 ($15.50/hr on-call; callback loadings of +10% to +50% depending on time of day).
When I move from registrar to Staff Specialist, does the pay jump happen on day one?
Yes — the pay jump to Staff Specialist level is immediate on appointment. There is no transitional grade. The move from a Senior Registrar earning ~$130,000–$160,000 to a Level 1 Staff Specialist effective base of ~$232,000 (Award + Special Allowance) happens from your first pay period.
How does NSW total compensation compare to QLD or VIC?
NSW's effective base (Award + 17.4% Special Allowance + TESL) is competitive with QLD and generally above VIC's base salary component. NSW's TESL at $40,000–$55,000+ significantly outpaces the CME/PDA in most other states ($5,000–$22,145). The RPP private practice upside in NSW can be substantial but depends heavily on specialty and LHD.