The average GP's workweek varies, but full-time is often considered 4-5 days, though many work fewer (3-4 days) for flexibility, while some work more due to non-billable tasks like admin, with actual hours often exceeding 38-40 weekly, even on part-time schedules, especially in Australia and the UK. A typical "full-time" schedule might involve 8 sessions (around 38-40 hours) across 4-5 days, with sessions lasting 3.5-4 hours.
Life as a GP
A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days.
While you work in your RACGP-approved practice, the following definitions will apply: Full-time general practice experience is defined as at least 38 hours distributed over a minimum of four days per week.
(iii) 38 hours per week or 10 sessions per week over 5 days per week or, as agreed between the employee and the employer, averaged over 4 days per week or a longer roster period. (i) The span of hours for full-time day work Medical Practitioners except Senior Doctors is 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
The average annual salary for General Practitioner jobs in Australia ranges from $215,000 to $235,000.
UK GPs reported higher levels of emotional distress - with 71% of UK saying they find their job 'extremely' or 'very stressful' - the highest alongside Germany. Half of UK GPs believe the quality of care they are able to provide has worsened since before the pandemic, and only 14% thought it had improved.
Jobs paying $500k+ in Australia are primarily in highly specialized fields like Medical Specialists (surgeons, anaesthetists), Senior Finance/Executive Roles (CFO, Head of Treasury, Investment Directors), and high-end Sales & Construction Management (Elite Stockbrokers, Senior Project Managers/Estimators in complex sectors). While roles like Neurosurgeon and Ophthalmologist average well over $500k, achieving this in other sectors often involves performance-based bonuses or leading major projects, with opportunities listed on job boards like SEEK and Jora.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
Average GP World General Practitioner hourly pay in London, England is approximately £89.98, which is 17% above the national average. Salary estimated from 58 past and present job postings on Indeed.
One of the standout benefits of being a GP in Australia is the consistency and flexibility of working hours. Many GPs work around 38 hours per week, and it's common to have evenings and weekends off—a rarity in many other countries.
A GP lifestyle in Australia that's hard to beat
From flexible working hours and well-paid contracts to paid travel and accommodation, Australia offers a lifestyle that's truly hard to match, especially for healthcare professionals looking for both career progression and personal freedom.
The European Union of General Practitioners and BMA have recommended a safe level of patient contacts per day in order for a GP to deliver safe care at not more than 25 contacts per day.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has limited the number of work-hours to 80 hours weekly, overnight call frequency to no more than one in three, 30-hour maximum straight shifts, and at least 10 hours off between shifts.
Emergency Medicine
Emergency medicine is the primary physician specialty with highest burnout. This field reports one of the highest stress levels due to its high-paced, high-acuity environment.
Shifts should be a minimum of 4 hours in length. A rostered shift cannot be longer than 14 consecutive hours.
Salaried GPs
The current GP salary varies from £10,000-£13,000 per session, depending on the city and your duties.
Medical Specialities with Lowest Reported Salaries
All working time should be rewarded and your agreed contract should be respected by employers. Employers are responsible for service delivery. This means they need to either offer an overtime rate which is agreeable to the salaried GP to work the additional hours, organise locum cover or complete the work themselves.
GP salaries in Australia vary widely, depending on location, practice type, and experience level. Here are some approximate salary ranges for GPs in different locations: Metropolitan areas: $150,000 – $300,000 per year. Rural areas: $200,000 – $400,000 per year.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
While $55,000 a year is lower than the national average salary, it may be enough for a single person to support themselves. However, cost of living, financial obligations, personal spending habits, inflation, and other factors can impact how far the money goes.
Yearly / Monthly / Weekly / Hourly Converter
If you make $90,000 per year, your salary per hour is $45. 55.
In 2022 the median income in Australia was $65,000 a year according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Anyone making less than this amount would be considered working class. Anyone making more than $137,000 falls in the top 10% which is considered upper class.
The #1 highest-paying job is consistently in the medical field, with Surgeons and Anesthesiologists often topping lists globally and in countries like Australia, earning over $400,000 AUD on average due to extensive training and high-pressure responsibilities, though roles like Financial Dealers, CEOs, and specialized Engineers also rank high.
No experience $100,000 jobs