Accountants for Doctors and Medical Specialists

Specialist tax, accounting and business advice for GPs, medical specialists, registrars and locums. From your first private billings to establishing and growing your own practice, we help you make confident financial decisions at every stage of your medical career.

Book a conversation How our fixed fees work

Doctors we work with

  • General Practitioners (GPs)
  • Medical Specialists and Consultants
  • Surgeons
  • Anaesthetists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Physicians
  • Radiologists
  • Registrars and Junior Doctors
  • Locum and Contractor Doctors
  • Doctors Moving to Australia

Any specialty, anywhere in Australia.

  • Chartered Accountant Member of CA ANZ
  • Registered Tax Agent Tax Practitioners Board
  • Xero certified Your books in the cloud
  • Brisbane based Working across Australia

Accounting support at every stage of your medical career

Whether you’re completing your specialist training, working as an independent contractor or running your own practice, we provide tailored accounting and tax advice to help you make confident financial decisions.

  1. Registrars & Doctors in Training

    Building your medical career and planning your financial future.

    • Salary, allowances and work-related deductions
    • Salary packaging and superannuation
    • Additional income and tax planning

  2. Locums & Independent Contractors

    Managing your own income and tax obligations.

    • ABN registration and record keeping
    • PAYG instalments and tax planning
    • Deductible expenses and superannuation

  3. GPs & Specialists in Private Practice

    Navigating private billings, service agreements and tax structures.

    • Medical billings, service fees and GST
    • Business structures and PSI rules
    • Tax planning and ongoing compliance

  4. Practice Owners

    Building and managing a successful medical practice.

    • Practice establishment and structuring
    • Staff, payroll and superannuation
    • Contractor arrangements and payroll tax

Choosing the right structure

Choosing the right business structure is an important decision for doctors working in private practice. Whether operating as a sole trader, company or trust, each option has different tax, asset protection and compliance implications.

Medical practitioners also face unique considerations, including the Personal Services Income (PSI) rules, which can limit the tax benefits of certain structures. Read our guide to the PSI rules.

At Cedar Chartered Accountants, we help doctors navigate these complexities and choose a structure suited to their circumstances and long-term goals.

Not sure if your current structure is right for you?

Book a consultation

Tenant doctor and service fee arrangements

Many doctors in general practice and specialist rooms work under a service fee arrangement. You treat your patients, and the practice provides rooms, staff and administration in return for a fee, often a percentage of your billings.

Service fees generally include GST, which you can usually claim back if you’re registered.

What we review

  1. How patient fees are collected and passed on to you
  2. How the service fee is calculated and invoiced
  3. What the agreement says, and whether day-to-day practice matches it
  4. What it all means for your GST, deductions and cash flow

How patient fees are collected and paid can also affect whether the practice owes payroll tax on payments made to you.

Services we provide

Specialist accounting and tax services tailored to the needs of doctors and medical professionals, from registrars and independent practitioners to established practice owners.

  • Tax Returns & Compliance

    Preparation and lodgement of individual, company and trust tax returns, BAS and other tax obligations.

  • Tax Planning & Advice

    Proactive tax planning, managing PAYG instalments and identifying eligible deductions.

  • Business Structuring

    Advice on appropriate structures for private practice, including Personal Services Income (PSI) considerations.

  • GST & Service Fee Arrangements

    Reviewing tenant doctor agreements, service fees, medical billings and GST obligations.

  • Bookkeeping & Systems Review

    Streamlining bookkeeping and accounting processes to simplify BAS preparation, year-end reporting and ongoing tax compliance.

  • Medical Practice Accounting

    Financial reporting, cash flow management and practice profitability.

  • Payroll Tax & Employment Obligations

    Guidance on medical practice payroll tax, contractor arrangements, PAYG withholding and superannuation.

  • Superannuation & SMSFs

    Tax-effective contribution strategies, SMSF accounting and compliance.

  • Practice Establishment & Growth

    Assistance with setting up, purchasing, expanding or restructuring a medical practice.

How it works

Clear advice and a fixed fee from the start.

  1. Discovery Conversation

    We talk through how you practise, where your income comes from and what you want to achieve.

  2. Fixed-Fee Proposal

    You receive a tailored proposal covering the agreed scope, with the fee fixed before any work begins.

  3. Ongoing Support

    Routine calls, emails and questions are included, so you can ask early rather than wait until year end.

More about our fixed fees

Common questions

Straight answers to the questions doctors ask us most.

Should a doctor use a company or trust for private practice?

It depends on your circumstances. While companies and trusts can offer commercial benefits, the Personal Services Income (PSI) rules and ATO guidance under PCG 2025/5 can limit their tax advantages. For many doctors, operating as a sole trader may be the simplest and most appropriate option. We assess your circumstances and model the options before recommending a structure.

How much tax should I set aside from private billings?

This depends on your total income, deductions and marginal tax rate. Unlike salary income, private practice billings generally have no tax withheld, which can lead to unexpected tax bills. We help you calculate how much to set aside and manage your PAYG instalments as your income changes.

Do doctors need to register for GST?

Doctors must register for GST when their annual GST turnover reaches $75,000, even if their medical services are GST-free. Some services, such as certain cosmetic procedures and medico-legal reports, may attract GST. Your contractual arrangements also matter, as services supplied to a medical practice rather than directly to patients may be subject to GST. Registration may also allow you to claim GST credits on practice expenses, including service fees. We review your contracts and income streams to ensure the correct GST treatment is applied.

Are service fees paid to a medical practice tax deductible?

Yes. Service fees paid for consulting rooms, administrative support and practice facilities are usually deductible when incurred in earning your assessable income. If you’re registered for GST, you may also be entitled to claim GST credits on these fees. We review your service agreement to ensure the correct income tax and GST treatment.

I’m a registrar. When should I start planning for private practice?

Ideally, before you begin earning private or locum income. Getting your ABN, tax registrations, record keeping and accounting arrangements right from the start can save time and avoid unexpected tax bills. We help you prepare for the transition from hospital employment to private practice.

I’m moving to Australia to practise medicine. What are my tax obligations?

Your Australian tax obligations depend on your residency status, income sources and the timing of your move. You may need to consider overseas income, tax residency, double tax agreements and Australian registration requirements. We help overseas-trained doctors understand their obligations and establish the right arrangements from the outset.

This page provides general information only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax outcomes depend on your individual circumstances.

Still have a question?

Call or email us and we’ll talk it through in a no-obligation conversation.

From the blog

All articles

Tax

The PSI Rules and the Impact of PCG 2025/5

Passing a personal services business test used to be the end of the analysis. Under the ATO’s PCG 2025/5, it’s only the beginning, because Part IVA can still apply to how your profits are split or retained.

Talk to us

Talk to an accountant who understands private practice

Book a no-obligation conversation. We’ll talk through how you practise, explain your options in plain English, and give you a fixed-fee proposal before any work begins.

Book a conversation