M’sian Doctor In Australia Lists Pay & Perks That Sound Unreal Next To What She Got In Malaysia

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A Malaysian doctor now working in Australia has shared a detailed comparison of her pay, working hours, and benefits between the two countries, and the stark contrast has struck a nerve online

The woman, identified as Dr Yap, left her hospital job in Malaysia last year to continue her medical career in Australia.

She recently wrote a Facebook post that went viral after detailing the realities of working as a doctor in both countries, according to Sin Chew Daily.

She revealed that when she was working in Malaysia, she clocked a minimum of 60 hours a week, often with overtime, but earned only RM4,500 a month.

There was also no overtime pay despite the long hours, she claimed.

In Australia, however, her working hours and salary are on a completely different scale.

She now works 76 hours every two weeks, and her basic fortnightly salary is AUD3,800 (about RM10,600). On top of that, there are additional allowances for weekend, afternoon, and night shifts.

Overtime is also properly compensated; it's paid at 1.5 to 2 times the basic rate. Working on public holidays is paid at 150% of the base rate, and covering a colleague's shift earns AUD138 (about RM384) per hour.

She also highlighted the stark gap in leave entitlements

In Malaysia, she said taking annual leave was "almost a fantasy", claiming that applications were often rejected, and even if approved, doctors had to find someone to cover their shift themselves.

There was also a rule that limited annual leave to a maximum of two days per month.

In Australia, she receives five weeks of annual leave and 28 days of sick leave each year. Sick leave under three days does not require a medical certificate.

She pointed out that in Malaysia, her typical workday started at 6am and stretched late into the night

In contrast, her schedule in Australia gives her two to three days off each week, and after a night shift, she can rest for an entire week.

She also noted that lunch breaks are strictly enforced in Australia — refusing to take one isn't allowed, and breaks are mandatory.

On workplace culture, Dr Yap said that in Malaysia, it's common for intern doctors to be scolded or blamed, even when overworked.

She shared how she once skipped lunch because she was so busy, only to be questioned by her superior about unfinished work, an experience that left her demoralised.

In Australia, however, senior doctors are not allowed to scold interns or staff at will. Regulations are in place to protect junior staff, and senior colleagues are generally friendly, often treating her to coffee and creating a more supportive working environment.

Her post sparked heated discussions online, with some accusing her of trying to "lure" Malaysian doctors abroad and not caring about patients back home

Dr Yap clarified that she wasn't encouraging doctors to resign and move abroad, but simply sharing her personal experience to inform her peers about alternative career paths.

Others, however, agreed strongly with her account, saying it reflects why many Malaysian medical professionals choose to work overseas.

"The fact that she gets OT pay in Australia alone is the reason to go," commented one.

Some pointed out that her current income as a Junior Medical Officer (JMO) in Australia might look modest to some, but noted that it's only the starting point of her career.

One commenter highlighted that once she gains permanent residency and moves on to specialist training, her pay could easily triple, especially when factoring in both public and private work.

They also noted that Australia's medical pay structure is set to improve further next year if ongoing negotiations succeed, meaning her current salary isn't even the peak.

The commenter went on to argue that Malaysia's public healthcare system has "become the author of its own demise".

It pointed out that medicine is an open global market, and when hospitals treat trainees poorly, they inevitably struggle to recruit and retain talent.

The commenter added that many Malaysian doctors working overseas never return, citing New Zealand hospitals as an example.

One NZ hospital, they said, has become so adept at recruiting Malaysians that it even employs Malaysian HR staff to process documents in Malay.

Many Malaysian-trained doctors who move abroad — including those who never practised locally — simply build their lives elsewhere.

Others commented that the poor treatment of healthcare workers in Malaysia has been an open secret for years, and that everyone has the right to choose a better career path.