Psychiatrist salaries in New Zealand

Medipeople • June 13, 2018

Psychiatrist Salaries in New Zealand


In New Zealand,a nation-wide salary arrangement regulates the salaries of medical consultants working in the public service. This arrangement also covers psychiatrist salaries.


Your salary will be based on how many hours per week and for how many years you have been practicing. Your practice time counts from the date you completed your specialist psychiatry training. With every year of full-time work you have completed, you will move one step higher on the salary scale. In your first year after achieving your specialist/consultant qualification you will be on step 1. The next year you will be on step 2 of the salary ladder, and so on.


Additional benefits (such as superannuation and compensation for after-hours or on-call work) will be paid on top of the rates listed in the chart below. These benefits range from around $15,000 per year to up to $50,000 per year for the top steps. In April 2019 the remuneration for each step will increase as displayed in the chart. All psychiatrists who have been on step 14 for a year or more will progress to the new step 15.

Step Current 1-Apr-19
15  240,000
14  230,000 233,500
13 223,500 227,500
12 216,500 221,000
11 209,000 213,500
10 204,000 208,000
9 198,716 202,691
8 193,514 197,385
7 188,312 192,079
6 183,110 186,773
5 177,908 181,467
4 172,706 176,161
3 167,504 170,854
2 162,302 165,548
1 158,141 161,304

* All psychiatrist salaries are annual figures based on a 40-45h work-week. Noted in NZD and current as of mid 2018


The figures in the chart are based on a 40h to 45h work week. This is the lowest of six standardized salary categories (category A). Every additional category requires 5h/week more than the previous category and provides extra earnings. These extra earnings form part of your base salary and accrue the allowances mentioned earlier (proportionate to your higher earning). As part of your psychiatrist salary you will also have guaranteed sick leave, annual leave and a time & financial allowance for CPD.


Usually, a hospital will also pay for the relocation of your house goods to New Zealand. Less costs for you! And of course our services are free of charge for you as well. Let us help you secure your dream psychiatrist job in New Zealand!


Salaries for psychiatry registrars and trainee doctors in new zealand

Your basic salary assumes a working week of 40 hours. Anything after this will be paid at penalty rates. In addition, some locations attract a higher category. You may earn a bit more in a rural area compared to the city. Generally, you can expect a base salary ranging from $80,000 to $130,000 with added benefits such as holiday and sick pay.

Salaries for psychiatry registrars and trainee doctors in new zealand

Psychiatrist with FRANZCP can work in private practices in New Zealand. You can expect to earn 40 to 50% more in full time private practice roles. As an SIMG moving to New Zealand, private practice is not an immediate option. But it definitely is something to consider for the future – particularly if you obtain your local fellowship.

Taxation on psychiatrist salaries

New Zealand uses a rather simple system to structure personal income tax. Below you will find a chart detailing the income tax rates as of mid 2018. You can check the current rates here.

Taxable Personal Income Tax Rate
Up to $14,000 10.5%
Over $14,000 to $48,000 17.5%
Over $48,000 to $70,000 30%
Over $70,000 33%

* All values are current as of mid 2018


The NZ financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. We strongly suggest to immediately apply for a personal tax identifier number after arriving in New Zealand.


Psychiatrist salaries are lower in New Zealand than in some comparable health systems. However, NZ still recruits a large number of medical doctors from the global market each year. New Zealand’s excellent lifestyle options a big drawing card. Aspirational young families seeking adventure and a healthy lifestyle for their children find it in NZ. And senior doctors towards the end of their careers are equally attracted to the country.


If you have any questions regarding psychiatrist salaries or a potential psychiatry career in New Zealand please contact us any time!

July 29, 2025
Why More UK GPs Are Choosing the Australian Lifestyle What happens when years of burnout, bureaucracy, and backlogs push even the most dedicated NHS doctors to seek something different? For an increasing number of UK-trained General Practitioners, the answer is clear: Australia. From Melbourne to Brisbane, Adelaide to Perth, the Land Down Under has become a magnet for GPs looking to restore balance, rediscover job satisfaction, and reclaim the lifestyle they envisioned when they first chose medicine. But what’s really driving this shift? Escape the Red Tape, Reignite the Passion In the NHS, it’s not uncommon for GPs to spend hours each day chasing referrals, ticking boxes, and wrestling with clunky IT systems. In contrast, Australia’s Medicare-based system, while not perfect, is far more streamlined. GPs here enjoy greater clinical autonomy, less paperwork, and more time for actual patient care. Higher Earnings with Less Financial Stress A UK GP typically earns between £80,000–£120,000 per year. In Australia, many GPs earn AUD $300,000–$400,000+ annually, with lower tax pressure and no pension clawbacks. Bulk billing and mixed billing models allow for transparent, predictable income, especially attractive to GPs exhausted by NHS contracts and QOF targets. Work-Life Balance Isn’t Just Talk — It’s Real GPs in Australia routinely work four to five days per week, with 15-to-20-minute consults and time set aside for breaks and admin. With most clinics closed on weekends, you get your life back. Want to surf before clinic? Hike after work? Pick up the kids from school? Here, you actually can. Sunshine, Space, and Safety for Families One of the biggest lifestyle draws is the environment. Whether it's family-friendly suburbs in Perth, the cosmopolitan buzz of Melbourne, or the coastal calm of Queensland, Australia offers clean, safe, and spacious communities with top-tier schools and outdoor living. It’s not just a career move; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Professional Respect and Career Development Australian clinics are often doctor-owned or corporate-run with a strong focus on GP support, mentorship, and continual development. Many offer relocation assistance, flexible working arrangements, and leadership opportunities. Your work is valued, not buried in bureaucracy. A Growing Community of UK Expats There’s comfort in numbers. Hundreds of UK-trained GPs have already made the leap, meaning you’re rarely alone. Peer support networks, social groups, and British communities are present in many major cities and regional hubs. Pathways Made Easier Than You Think Thanks to AHPRA's Expedited Specialist Pathway, the transition is smoother than ever. With the right guidance, UK GPs can be seeing patients in as little as 4–6 months from starting the process. Final Thoughts If you find yourself wondering whether the NHS grind is worth it, know that a different way is possible. Life after the NHS doesn’t have to mean leaving medicine; just finding the version that inspires you. Ready to explore your options? Let’s start with a confidential conversation. Click here to book a discovery call with our International GP recruitment team Or email chris.t@medipeople.com.au to request our free GP Registration and Relocation Guide.
July 25, 2025
Background: What AHPRA Promised AHPRA introduced the Expedited Specialist Pathway (ESP) on 21 October 2024, aimed at specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) from jurisdictions with comparable training systems—initially focusing on General Practitioners (GPs), with anaesthesia, psychiatry, and obstetrics & gynaecology added by December 2024 ( ahpra.gov.au ). It was marketed as a faster alternative to traditional specialist pathways, aiming for: Application assessment in 4–6 weeks Full registration and practice commencement within 4–6 months Lower costs, less duplication, and a streamlined process But has it delivered? Where It’s Falling Short 1. Fewer Doctors Registered Than Expected As of May 2025, just 127 SIMGs had been registered under the pathway—out of 251 applications received. This includes: 125 GPs 1 anaesthetist 1 psychiatrist This implies that roughly 50% of applicants are still waiting for registration—a significant lag behind expectations. ( RACGP NewsGP ) 2. Documentation & Verification Delays While the promise was quick turnaround after submitting a "complete" application, in practice, many applications remain incomplete for weeks or months due to documentation issues. One major hurdle is: AHPRA requesting further evidence of training, particularly when the doctor's basic training was partially completed outside the UK. This training may not be recorded on the General Medical Council (GMC) certificate, forcing doctors to go back and retrieve transcripts or evidence from countries where: English is not the first language Medical documentation standards differ Institutions may be unresponsive or slow As a result, applicants can face significant delays even before the official 4–6-week processing window begins. 3. Delays in Supervision Planning & Job Approval Another common stumbling block is securing an approved supervised practice role. AHPRA requires a compliant job offer, nominated supervisor, and a formal supervision plan, all approved before registration is granted. But in many regions, especially rural or public health settings, employers are unfamiliar with the process or slow to provide the required paperwork. This adds further delays, pushing registration well beyond the ideal 6-month window. 4. Concerns from Medical Colleges The ESP has also drawn criticism from major Australian medical colleges: RACGP, ANZCA, and others have voiced concerns about the lack of Fellowship requirements, warning that doctors may enter practice without comprehensive assessment of their skills or familiarity with Australian health systems. Some have even called for the program to be paused, citing risks to patient safety and doctor support. These concerns have led to confusion among SIMGs, many of whom are unsure whether to proceed via the new ESP or the traditional college pathway. Summary: A Mixed Picture What Was Promised  What’s Happening in Practice 4–6 week processing Often delayed due to incomplete applications and document requests 4–6 month full registration 50%+ of applicants still waiting after 6 months Lower cost, less red tape True, but at the cost of reduced oversight from medical colleges Simpler documentation Delays occur when training outside the UK isn’t listed on GMC docs Job + supervision plan approval assumed fast In reality, this step can take weeks to months Final Thoughts The Expedited Specialist Pathway has opened new doors for international doctors, but its rollout hasn’t lived up to the speed and simplicity it promised. Key takeaways: Registration delays often stem from missing training evidence, especially for doctors with multi-country education histories. Workplace and supervision plan approvals are a major chokepoint. Medical colleges’ concerns may shape the future of the pathway. For SIMGs, the key is to start early, anticipate delays, and ensure that training evidence from all countries is available and translated, even if not explicitly listed by the GMC.