Medical Receptionist salary guide Australia 2026
The typical Medical Receptionist salary in Australia is $58,000, with pay ranging from $51,000 at entry level to $67,000 for experienced professionals.
Overview
What does a Medical Receptionist earn?
The median salary of Medical Receptionists in Australia is $58,000. Most positions fall within a typical range of $51,000–$65,000, starting at $51,000 for entry-level workers. Remuneration can reach $67,000 for senior staff who bring specialised clinic knowledge or relevant administration qualifications.
Optional — pick a state first
Median for Medical Receptionist, nationally across Australia.
10th $51,000
25th $58,000
50th (median) $65,000
75th $72,000
90th
Figures above update by state/city. For a full breakdown by seniority, see the table below.
Location
Medical Receptionist salary by city
Location plays a clear role in healthcare administration remuneration across Australia. Clinic demand in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne often yields different pay rates compared to regional practices.
What drives salary
Factors that affect Medical Receptionist pay
Several key capabilities and workplace settings influence where your earnings sit within the pay band. Building targeted healthcare skills helps you negotiate higher compensation.
Working in specialist practices like oncology, cardiology or surgical clinics often commands higher pay than general practice roles. Complex patient journeys and technical terminology require deeper administrative capability.
Proficiency in Medicare and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) billing rules makes you valuable to practice owners. Accurate processing prevents billing delays and keeps clinic cash flow steady.
Holding a Certificate III in Business Administration or a tertiary qualification in health services validates your capability. Accredited training demonstrates your grounding in medical terminology and privacy compliance.
Fast-paced allied health networks and multi-practitioner clinics often offer higher rates to attract resilient multi-taskers. High-volume environments require sharp triage skills and calm customer service under pressure.
Demonstrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness is highly prized across community health networks. Practices serving diverse patient cohorts reward staff who build strong community trust.
Comparison
How Medical Receptionists compare to related roles
A Medical Receptionist typically earns in line with a Dental Assistant or Pharmacy Assistant, though specialised clinic knowledge can lift earnings above retail pharmacy settings. Against a Legal Secretary or Legal Assistant, Medical Receptionists generally see slightly lower starting pay, reflecting the specialised document preparation demanded in law firms.
| Role | Range | Relative | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Secretary | $64,000–$85,000 | $74,000 | |
| Legal Assistant | $60,000–$82,000 | $70,000 | |
| Medical Receptionist You are here | $51,000–$65,000 | $58,000 | |
| Dental Assistant | $48,000–$64,000 | $56,000 | |
| Pharmacy Assistant | $46,000–$56,000 | $52,000 |
Employment Hero Job Data
Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated October 2026.
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