Victoria › Consultants & Specialists
VIC Medical Specialist Pay 2025–26
Victorian public hospital medical specialists are employed under the AMA Victoria – Victorian Public Health Sector – Medical Specialists (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2022–2026. VIC uses a total remuneration package model — base salary is not separately itemised in official publications. Sessional VMO arrangements are managed at individual health service level with no state-wide rate bulletin.
Key takeaways
- VIC Medical Specialist total remuneration packages range ~$375,000–$490,000+, bundling base salary, superannuation, CME allowance, private practice, and on-call into a single figure.
- Regional specialists attract up to a 25% Designated Location Attraction and Retention Allowance on top of metropolitan rates, plus federal rural incentive grants of ~$13,000/year.
- CME allowance of $5,000/year is included in the package; a 25% Friday evening loading (6 pm–midnight) applies from March 2023 under the 2022–2026 EA.
- VMO sessional rates are set at individual health service level — there is no state-wide VIC VMO rate bulletin equivalent to NSW's IB2024_001.
Which model applies?
Most Victoria specialists work as Medical Specialists, VMOs, or hold concurrent appointments across both models.
Medical Specialist
Salaried employee of the health service. Total remuneration package includes base salary, superannuation, CME allowance, and private practice component.
Jump to Medical Specialist ↓Visiting Medical Officer (VMO)
Sessional contractor paid per session. No leave, no employer super. Suits doctors working across multiple facilities.
Jump to VMO ↓Medical Specialist — remuneration
The 2022–2026 EA uses experience-based tiers rather than numbered levels. Approximate total remuneration packages are listed; base salary is not separately published in official sources.
| Experience tier | Approx. total package | CME (~) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Specialist (Metropolitan, <5 years post-Fellowship) | ~$375,000 | $5,000 | Entry metropolitan tier. |
| Medical Specialist (Metropolitan, 5–9 years) | ~$397,000 | $5,000 | Mid-career metropolitan tier. |
| Medical Specialist (Metropolitan, 9+ years) | ~$420,000 | $5,000 | Senior metropolitan tier. |
| Medical Specialist (Regional, 5–9 years) | ~$435,000 | $5,000 | Regional premium (25% loading). Federal rural grant ~$13k additional. |
| Medical Specialist (Regional, 9+ years) | ~$490,000 | $5,000 | Senior regional tier. Federal rural grant ~$13k additional. |
Package includes base salary, 11–12% superannuation, private practice component, CME allowance, and on-call allowances. Regional tiers include a 25% Designated Location Attraction and Retention Allowance.
Private practice
On-call, callback & penalty rates
| Payment type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-call availability | Included in total package | On-call component is bundled into the total remuneration package. |
| Friday evening (6 pm–midnight) | +25% loading | Additional loading for rostered work 6 pm–midnight Fridays (from March 2023 EA amendment). |
| Overtime / callback | Per EA schedule | Set in the Enterprise Agreement. Contact AMA Victoria or VHIA Circular 820/821 for specific rates. |
VMO — sessional rates
VIC does not have a state-wide VMO sessional rate bulletin. Sessional arrangements are governed at individual health service level. Rates vary by specialty, health service, and contract type. Contact the relevant health service VMO coordinator for current rates.
| Service type | Rate per session (4 h) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / non-procedural | Health service–negotiated | No published state-wide rate. |
| Procedural / specialist | Health service–negotiated | Typically higher than non-procedural; varies significantly by specialty and service. |
- One session is typically 4 hours; definition may vary by health service.
- There is no VIC equivalent of NSW's IB2024_001 — rates are negotiated per health service.
- Standard Award overtime and penalty rates do not apply to VMO sessions. The sessional rate is the agreed payment for the session; any on-call or callback obligations are set by individual contract.
- Fee-for-service VMOs bill Medicare directly and are not covered by any health service sessional arrangement — their rates follow the MBS or private billing schedules.
- Leave, superannuation, and insurance are the VMO's responsibility.
- Private practice billing is separate from any sessional fee.
Medical Specialist vs VMO
| Feature | Medical Specialist | VMO |
|---|---|---|
| Employment type | Salaried employee | Independent contractor |
| Pay model | Total remuneration package (base + super + PP + CME) | Per-session rate (negotiated per health service) |
| Annual leave | Paid (included in package) | No — self-funded |
| Sick leave | Paid | No |
| Superannuation | 11–12% in package | Self-funded |
| CME allowance | Yes ($5,000/year) | No |
| Private practice | Bundled in package arrangement | Independent billing |
| Regional loading | Yes — up to 25% Designated Location Allowance | N/A — negotiated |
| Insurance | WorkCover covered by employer | Self-funded medical indemnity + income protection |
| Career progression | Experience tiers (<5yr, 5–9yr, 9+yr); Metro and Regional | No set progression |
| Salary packaging | ~$9,010 FBT-free (EPHA — standard public hospital) | Not applicable |
Frequently Asked Questions
The salary figures show a 'total remuneration package' — what does that actually include?
VIC Medical Specialist packages bundle base salary, employer superannuation (~11%), CME allowance ($5,000), and in most cases a private practice component into a single figure. This makes direct comparison with other states' base salary figures misleading — do not compare the VIC package total against, say, a NSW Award base rate.
What is the CME allowance and can I use it on anything?
The CME allowance under the 2022–2026 EA is $5,000/year for eligible specialists, intended for conference attendance, courses, journal subscriptions, and continuing education. The qualifying expenses are defined by EA provisions and your health service's policy. It is a separate entitlement, not absorbed into base salary.
What is the Designated Location Allowance?
The DLA compensates specialists working at regional, rural, or otherwise designated VIC health services — up to 25% on top of ordinary salary. The precise percentage depends on the hospital's location classification and the specialty. Contact AMA Victoria or the relevant health service for which positions qualify and what percentage applies.
I'm from New Zealand — would my specialist fellowship be recognised in Victoria?
Yes. Fellowship from Australian and New Zealand specialist colleges (RACP, RACS, RANZCR, RANZCP, RACGP, ANZCA, etc.) is recognised nationally. As an NZ-trained doctor, you don't require AMC assessment — NZ medical graduates with general registration in NZ can apply for specialist registration through AHPRA directly, subject to the college assessment process.
Why do VIC specialist job ads show different salary figures to what's listed here?
VIC's EA uses experience tiers (less than 5 years, 5–9 years, 9+ years) and location (metro/regional) to determine packages, and individual health services set specific terms within that framework. The figures here are approximate ranges from the AMSEA 2022–2026 — actual package terms are confirmed at health service level and may include institution-specific components.
Is there private practice available for VIC salaried specialists?
Yes — private practice is typically included in the total remuneration package arrangement for eligible VIC specialists. It is built into the package figure rather than treated as separate additional income. The amount varies by specialty, hospital, and experience tier under the 2022–2026 EA.