Northern Territory › Consultants & Specialists
NT Staff Specialist Pay 2025–26
NT Health calls consultant-level specialist doctors 'Staff Specialists' (SMO1 classification) and 'Senior Staff Specialists' (SMO2). Salary figures are confirmed from the NT Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE) rates of pay page under the Medical Officers (Northern Territory Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2022–2025. NT is one of the most transparently published specialist pay scales in Australia.
Key takeaways
- NT Staff Specialist confirmed salaries run $213,380 (SMO1.1) to $298,705 (SMO2.3) under the 2022–2025 EA — the most fully published specialist pay scale in Australia.
- 7 weeks annual leave per year makes NT the most generous annual leave entitlement for specialist doctors in Australia (most other states provide 5–6 weeks).
- Relocation assistance is available for interstate recruits — amounts vary by origin and position level; contact NT Health Medical Workforce for current figures.
- Annual leave loading is a flat $1,811/annum (NT Determination By-law 5) rather than the 17.5% percentage used in most other states.
Which model applies?
Most Northern Territory specialists work as Staff Specialists, VMOs, or hold concurrent appointments across both models.
Staff Specialist
Salaried employee of NT Health. SMO1 (6 annual steps) and SMO2 (3 steps). Fully published pay scale from OCPE NT. 7 weeks annual leave. Relocation allowance for interstate recruits.
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
NT uses a year-based increment scale within two tiers: SMO1 (Staff Specialist, 6 steps) and SMO2 (Senior Staff Specialist, 3 steps). Placement is based on total years of specialist experience post-Fellowship. All figures confirmed from OCPE NT.
| Grade | Base Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Specialist SMO1.1 | $213,380 | Entry level for Fellowship-qualified specialists. |
| Staff Specialist SMO1.2 | $222,924 | |
| Staff Specialist SMO1.3 | $232,468 | |
| Staff Specialist SMO1.4 | $242,013 | |
| Staff Specialist SMO1.5 | $251,554 | |
| Staff Specialist SMO1.6 | $261,100 | Top of SMO1 scale. |
| Senior Staff Specialist SMO2.1 | $270,033 | |
| Senior Staff Specialist SMO2.2 | $284,367 | |
| Senior Staff Specialist SMO2.3 | $298,705 | Top of SMO2 scale. |
All figures confirmed from OCPE NT Medical Officers rates of pay page, effective 1 January 2025. Superannuation: ~12% (NTGPASS or similar). Leave loading: flat $1,811/annum (NT Determination By-law 5). On-call availability allowance: $5.02/hr (NT Determination 1 of 2026).
Private practice
On-call, callback & penalty rates
| Payment type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-call availability (restrictive duty) | $5.02/hour | NT Determination 1 of 2026 (same rate as JMO; applies to all medical officers). |
| Overtime (weekday) | 150% for first 2 hours, then 200% | |
| Saturday | 150% of ordinary rate | |
| Sunday | 200% of ordinary rate | |
| Public holiday | 250% of ordinary rate | |
| Annual leave loading | Flat $1,811/annum | NT By-law 5 — not the 17.5% percentage used in other states. |
VMO — sessional rates
NT does not have a dedicated published VMO sessional rate agreement. Sessional arrangements are negotiated individually through NT Health. Contact NT Health Medical Workforce for current sessional rates.
| Service type | Rate per session (4 h) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / non-procedural | Negotiated individually | No published state-wide NT VMO sessional rate. |
| Procedural / specialist | Negotiated individually | Remote area work may attract additional allowances. |
- NT does not have a state-wide VMO sessional rate bulletin — rates are negotiated individually.
- Most NT specialists work as salaried Staff Specialists; the VMO model is less common given the territory's hospital structure.
- Standard Award penalty rates do not apply to negotiated VMO sessions — any on-call or callback entitlements need to be included in the individual contract.
- Fee-for-service VMOs billing Medicare directly are not subject to NT Health sessional arrangements.
- Remote area airfare assistance is available for employees in declared remote localities.
- Contact NT Health Medical Workforce for current sessional rates and contract terms.
Staff Specialist vs VMO
| Feature | Staff Specialist | VMO |
|---|---|---|
| Employment type | Salaried employee of NT Health | Sessional contractor (individually negotiated) |
| Pay scale | SMO1.1–1.6, SMO2.1–2.3 (confirmed OCPE rates) | Individually negotiated |
| Annual leave | 7 weeks — highest nationally | No — self-funded |
| Leave loading | Flat $1,811/annum (not 17.5%) | N/A |
| Sick leave | Paid | No |
| Superannuation | ~12% employer contribution | Self-funded |
| On-call (restrictive duty) | $5.02/hour (NT Determination 1 of 2026) | Negotiated |
| Relocation assistance | Yes — varies by position and origin | N/A |
| Insurance | WorkCover covered by employer | Self-funded medical indemnity + income protection |
| Career progression | SMO1.1 → SMO1.6 → SMO2.3 | No set progression |
| Salary packaging | ~$9,010 FBT-free (public hospital — verify NT remote area provisions with NT Health) | Not applicable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does NT have 7 weeks of annual leave?
The 7-week entitlement is a long-standing feature of NT public sector employment designed to attract and retain staff in a remote territory. It comprises 5 weeks base leave plus 2 additional weeks for continuous service — in practice most Staff Specialists receive 7 weeks from the outset. No other Australian state or territory matches this for specialist doctors.
What is NTGPASS?
The Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities Superannuation Scheme — the default superannuation fund for NT public sector employees. Eligible employees may also have the option of a personal choice fund. The employer contribution is approximately 12%; verify the current rate with NT Health payroll when accepting an offer.
Is the 2022–2025 EA still current or has a new agreement been negotiated?
The 2022–2025 EA expired and a new agreement was expected. Confirm the current agreement status and rates with NT Health Medical Workforce or the AMA (NT) before relying on the figures here — any new EA may include updated salary rates.
Are there financial incentives for remote area work in the NT?
Yes. Remote area allowances, airfare assistance, and housing subsidies apply to positions in declared remote localities under NT Government policy. The specific amounts vary by location classification and position level. Contact NT Health Medical Workforce — these incentives are negotiated as part of the employment offer and can be substantial.
I'm considering a joint appointment at CDU or Menzies — how does that affect my pay?
Joint appointments with Charles Darwin University or the Menzies School of Health Research are available for some specialties. Pay arrangements for joint appointments are set individually and may combine an NT Health clinical salary with a CDU or Menzies academic component. Contact both institutions' HR departments to understand the full package before applying.