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Anesthetic nurse salary: How it compares to the national full-time average

There is no published average or median salary specifically for anaesthetic nurses, but award rates for registered nurses and nurse practitioners range from about $63,400 to $140,800 a year, with most falling below the national full-time average of $108,352.

This sits $40,752 under the Australian full-time average, about 37.6% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,300 a week · $34.21 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $55,448 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Anaesthetic nurse salary and the national average

If you're looking up an anaesthetic nurse salary in Australia, you won't find a single official figure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a separate average or median for this role. Instead, anaesthetic nurses are covered by the broad classification of registered nurse or nurse practitioner under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), which sets minimum pay rates. This guide explains where those rates sit against the national full-time average, what the award says, and what could push your pay above or below the line.

What the award says

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Nurses Award, updated from 1 August 2026, lists weekly and hourly rates for full-time and part-time nurses. For a full-time anaesthetic nurse, the classification depends on qualifications and experience. Key weekly rates (before tax) include:

  • Registered nurse level 1, pay point 1: $1,219.50 ($63,414 a year)
  • Registered nurse level 1, pay point 8: $1,465.50 ($76,206 a year)
  • Registered nurse level 2, pay point 4: $1,580.30 ($82,176 a year)
  • Registered nurse level 3, pay point 4: $1,720.10 ($89,445 a year)
  • Registered nurse level 4, grade 3: $2,111.60 ($109,803 a year)
  • Registered nurse level 5, grade 6: $2,706.90 ($140,759 a year)
  • Nurse practitioner, 2nd year: $1,932.70 ($100,500 a year)

These are minimums. Many hospitals and health services pay above award through enterprise agreements, especially in public hospitals. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday (time-and-a-half), Sunday (double-time), and public holidays (double-time-and-a-half), which can lift weekly earnings.

Where the national average sits

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. This is the figure used as the line on this site. The full-time median (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.

Most award rates for registered nurses fall below the full-time average. Only the highest classifications – registered nurse level 4 grade 3 and above, and level 5 grades – exceed it. A nurse practitioner in the second year earns about $100,500, which is below the $108,352 average but above the full-time median.

What moves pay above or below the average

Several factors determine whether an anaesthetic nurse's salary sits above or below the national line:

  • Classification and experience: Entry-level registered nurses earn well below the average. Moving up pay points and into level 4 or 5 roles can push pay above the line.
  • Location: State full-time averages vary. The ACT ($119,090) and Western Australia ($115,825) are above the national average, while Tasmania ($96,008) is below. Working in a higher-paying state can help.
  • Penalty rates and overtime: Weekend and public holiday shifts attract penalties of 50% to 100%, which can significantly boost weekly earnings.
  • Enterprise agreements: Many public hospitals have agreements that set rates above the award. For example, some NSW Health agreements pay registered nurses more than the award minimum.
  • Specialisation and qualifications: A nurse practitioner qualification or a master's degree can lead to higher classification and pay.

Comparing to other health roles

For context, the median full-time weekly earnings for all occupations is $1,852 (about $96,304 a year). Anaesthetists (medical specialists) have a median of $8,293 per week, but that's a different profession. Anaesthetic nurses are registered nurses, not doctors. The ABS does not publish a separate median for anaesthetic nurses, but the award rates suggest most are below the all-occupations median.

Using this site's tools

You can place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national full-time average. The tool also shows weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week. For state-by-state comparisons, see states and territories. If you want to explore medians for other nursing roles, visit job medians.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2% (reductions may apply). Most anaesthetic nurses will be in the 30% bracket, meaning take-home pay is roughly 68% of gross, depending on deductions.

Summary

An anaesthetic nurse salary is not separately tracked by the ABS, but award rates for registered nurses and nurse practitioners range from about $63,000 to $141,000 a year. Most fall below the national full-time average of $108,352. To exceed the average, you typically need senior classification, penalty-heavy rosters, or a job in a high-paying state. For more detail on how the figures are set, see how the figures are set and about this site.

Questions

What is the average salary for an anaesthetic nurse in Australia?

The ABS does not publish a separate average or median salary for anaesthetic nurses. Most anaesthetic nurses are classified as registered nurses (level 1 to 5) or nurse practitioners under the Nurses Award. Award minimum weekly rates for full-time registered nurses range from $1,219.50 (level 1, pay point 1) to $2,706.90 (level 5, grade 6), which equates to roughly $63,414 to $140,759 a year. Actual salaries may be higher due to experience, allowances, and enterprise agreements.

How does an anaesthetic nurse salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Most registered nurse award rates fall below this level, except for senior nurse practitioner and level 5 grades. For example, a registered nurse level 1 pay point 8 earns $1,465.50 per week ($76,206 a year), well below the average. A nurse practitioner in the second year earns $1,932.70 per week ($100,500 a year), still below the average. Only the highest level 5 grades exceed the average.

What factors can move an anaesthetic nurse's pay above the national average?

Pay above the national average is possible through: (1) working in states with higher average earnings, such as the ACT ($119,090) or Western Australia ($115,825); (2) reaching senior classifications like registered nurse level 5 grade 6 ($2,706.90/week); (3) receiving penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, or shift work; (4) overtime; and (5) enterprise agreements that offer above-award rates. However, most anaesthetic nurses at standard levels will earn below the $108,352 average.

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