How much do mental health doctors make in Australia?

Mental health has never been so relevant as it is now in Australia. The more people feel at ease sharing their anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional issues, the higher the need for mental health physicians. But just how much do they earn in Australia? Let’s dissect!.

Who Are Mental Health Physicians?

When we say mental health doctors, we usually refer to psychiatrists. They are medical doctors with training in mental health. They can prescribe medicine, diagnose mental illness, and treat individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and serious depression.

Psychiatrists usually work in hospitals, private practice, or community mental health. Others even work in schools, aged care facilities, or telehealth. People often search for options like a Mental Health GP Near me when looking for initial support or referrals to these specialists.

There are also clinical psychologists, but they aren’t medical doctors. They don’t prescribe medicine, but they provide therapy and other mental health support. For this article, we’ll focus on psychiatrists and how much they make in Australia.

What’s the Average Salary?

Australian psychiatrists earn between AUD $200,000 and AUD $400,000 a year on average. That is a wide range, and that’s because salaries can depend on many different things such as experience, location, type of work, and public vs. private sector employment.

Others, especially those who work for many decades or have their own private practice clinics, earn much more. Some top money earners in this profession earn more than AUD $500,000 per year.

Early-Career Psychiatrists

If the physician is just starting out, he/she will be a registrar of psychiatry. That is a physician in training to become an actual psychiatrist.

• A psychiatrist registrar can earn between AUD $85,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on their level and where they are employed.

It’s a good starting point, as they’re still in training for the position and will shortly be fully qualified psychiatrists.

Consultant Psychiatrists

Once trained, a psychiatrist can become a consultant psychiatrist. This is a fully qualified mental health physician.

• Public Hospital Consultant Psychiatrists will typically get between AUD $200,000 and $450,000 annually.

They can also do some private work on the side part-time in addition to that, which boosts their income.

Private Practice Psychiatrists

Privately practicing Psychiatrists or those who establish their own practice have greater control over their income.

• They can charge session-by-session at times in the AUD $250 to $500 per visit range.
• If they maintain a consistent client base, their annual income can even exceed AUD $600,000. and at times even AUD $800,000.

But that too has to be spent on leasing the clinic, salaries to staff, insurance, etc. So, even private practice is more lucrative, but with added responsibility.

Working as a Locum

A Locum psychiatrist is a doctor who replaces another doctor for a short while. The job is often temporary, often in rural or remote areas.

• Locum psychiatrists are paid between AUD $2,000 and $2,500 per day.
• Free accommodation and travel allowances are often provided in certain locum employment.

Locum work is preferred by psychiatrists who wish to be flexible or prefer traveling around the country.

Where They Work Matters

Where a psychiatrist practices has a major impact on their pay. Here is a quick rundown:

• Sydney and Brisbane: Salaries are in the range of about AUD $236,000 to $240,000 on average.
• Melbourne: Salaries are somewhat less, in the range of about AUD $155,000 on average.
• Country regions: Rural jobs pay higher to entice doctors into less-specialized areas.

Doctors willing to practice outside the major cities get paid more or in other benefits.

Other Sources of Income

The majority of psychiatrists also make money in other capacities:

• Teaching at medical school
• Conferences speaking
• Consulting on government or legal matters
• Writing books or research works

These remunerate them additional money while also building their professional name.

Other Mental Health Professions

Not every mental health doctor is a psychiatrist. The following are some other associated careers and what they typically earn:

• Mental Health Practitioners (e.g., therapists or counsellors): Approximately AUD $60,000 to $85,000 per annum
• Clinical Psychologists: Typically in the order of AUD $90,000 to AUD $120,000 per year
• Mental Health Nurses: Approximately AUD $70,000 to AUD $110,000, based on experience

These professionals are also part of Australia’s mental health system and closely collaborate with psychiatrists.

Is Becoming a Psychiatrist Worth It?

It takes years of studying and training in the following to become a psychiatrist:

• 5–6 years in medical school
• 1–2 years of general hospital training
• 5 years of training in psychiatry

It’s far, but it’s a steady career that provides good money, safe jobs, and the opportunity to change people’s lives for the better.

Mental health is one of medicine’s most sought-after specialties now. As awareness increases, more and more psychiatrists will be required throughout Australia.

The Big Picture

Australian mental health physicians, and particularly psychiatrists, are among the higher-paid medical physicians. Depending on the location where they practice, how experienced they are, and what type of position they accept, their pay varies. Nevertheless, most psychiatrists live quite well.
In a nation where mental illness is being considered more seriously than ever before, not only are these physicians well compensated but also well respected.