How to become a Neurosurgeon

Performs surgery to correct disorders of the brain, spine and nervous system.

Main tasks

• Assesses patients' medical history and performs physical examinations to diagnose neurological disorders
• Performs surgical procedures such as brain surgery and spinal surgery to correct neurological disorders
• Prescribes treatments and medications following diagnosis of neurological diseases, illness or injuries
• Collaborates with other medical professionals such as Neurologists, therapists and rehabilitation experts

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $203,060 a year
• About 10,500 people work in this job group now, and about 13,900 are projected by 2035. (+33.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Orthopaedic Surgeon
• General Surgeon
• Otolaryngologist
• Paediatric Surgeon
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Neurosurgeon?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

How much does a Neurosurgeon earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $203,060 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Neurosurgeon a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 10,500 to about 13,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Neurosurgeon?

Usually. 97% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Neurosurgeon?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04