The difference in the paycheck being received by medical specialists in Australia and New Zealand has revealed a shocking disparity. In contrast to earlier findings, the new revelations regarding the difference of salaries have shown that there is a variation of nearly 53% in the pay packages of doctors from the two countries.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists in a study has found that specialists in their first year at Australian Public Hospitals, on an average earned AUS$196,200, which was inclusive of universal allowances and basic pay. In comparison, the average base salary for a specialist in New Zealand is $128,596.

While giving the fairest comparison, to the difference in the value of the currencies, the board stated the difference without converting Australian dollars into New Zealand dollars, which was 53%. Though, if the pay of specialists in Australia was converted into New Zealand dollars, the difference came up to a whopping 100%.

The disparity in the pay packages and the salaries being drawn by Australian specialists was a major reason behind doctors and specialists from New Zealand shifting base to Australia. The difference in the salaries of specialists has been ascertained to be far greater than what had been predicted in the previous year by the Health Ministry of New Zealand.

The Ministry had stated the difference to be just 35% whereas, the disparity in the pay packages is three times far greater than earlier estimated.