How the average nurse salary is measured
There is no single "average nurse salary" published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Instead, the most authoritative figure is the median full-time earnings for registered nurses, reported by Jobs and Skills Australia using ABS data from the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That median is $2,192 per week before tax. This is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, and it excludes part-time workers and managers, giving a clearer picture of typical earnings in the occupation.
Alongside the median, the Nurses Award (MA000034) from Fair Work sets minimum weekly rates that apply to many nurses not covered by enterprise agreements. These rates are updated annually and took effect from 1 August 2026. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 pay point 1 earns a minimum of $1,219.50 per week, while a Level 5 grade 6 earns $2,706.90 per week. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work.
Where nurse pay sits against the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its benchmark.
The median nurse full-time earnings of $2,192 per week are about 5% above that national average. However, it is important to note the differences:
- The national average includes all full-time adults, including managers and high-income earners, which pulls the average up.
- The nurse median is for non-managerial employees only, so it is a more conservative measure of typical nurse pay.
- Many nurses work part-time. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, only 56% of registered nurses work full-time hours. Part-time earnings are lower, which brings down the overall average for all nurses (including part-time) to well below the national all-employees average of $1,579.40 per week.
For comparison, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week ($52,255 per year). Even the lowest award rate for a registered nurse (Level 1 pay point 1) is about 21% above the minimum wage.
Factors that push pay above or below the line
Several factors determine whether a nurse earns above or below the national full-time average:
Award classification and experience
The Nurses Award has multiple levels and pay points. A newly graduated registered nurse at Level 1 pay point 1 earns $1,219.50 per week, well below the national average. With experience, a nurse can progress to Level 1 pay point 8 ($1,465.50) or move to Level 2, 3, 4, or 5, where pay exceeds the national average. For instance, a Level 3 pay point 4 earns $1,720.10, and a Level 5 grade 6 earns $2,706.90.
Sector: public vs private
ABS data for May 2026 shows that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in the public sector are higher than in the private sector for both men and women. For women, the public sector average is $2,154.00 per week, compared to $1,840.80 in the private sector. Since nursing is a female-dominated profession (about 88% of registered nurses are women, based on ABS labour force data), the sector of employment can significantly affect pay.
Location
State full-time averages vary widely, from about $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Nurses in higher-paying states or territories may earn more, especially if they work in public hospitals covered by generous enterprise agreements. You can explore state comparisons on the States and territories page.
Penalty rates and overtime
Nurses often work shifts, weekends, and public holidays. The award provides penalty rates of 50% for Saturday, 75% for Sunday, and 100% for public holidays. These loadings can substantially boost weekly earnings, especially for nurses who regularly work unsocial hours.
Part-time work
Many nurses choose part-time hours for work-life balance. The median hourly earnings for registered nurses are $57, which is above the national median hourly earnings of $47 for all occupations. But because part-time nurses work fewer hours, their weekly and yearly earnings are lower. This is why the all-employees average for nurses (including part-time) would be lower than the full-time median.
How the award minimums compare to the national average
The Nurses Award minimum rates for full-time registered nurses range from $1,219.50 per week (Level 1 pay point 1) to $2,706.90 (Level 5 grade 6). Most experienced nurses in senior roles earn above the national average. However, entry-level nurses and those in lower classifications may earn below it. The award also covers enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, and nurse practitioners, each with their own pay scales.
For example, an enrolled nurse at pay point 1 earns $1,139.90 per week, while a nurse practitioner in the first year earns $1,877.00 per week. These figures are minimums; actual pay may be higher under enterprise agreements.
Tax implications
For the 2026–27 income year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. Above that, marginal rates are 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies to most residents. A nurse earning the median full-time salary of about $113,984 would fall into the 30% bracket (plus Medicare levy), resulting in a marginal tax rate of 32%. For more on how tax affects take-home pay, see the Guides section.
Summary
The median full-time registered nurse salary of $2,192 per week sits above the national full-time average of $2,083.70. However, actual earnings vary widely based on classification, experience, sector, location, and hours worked. The award minimums provide a floor, but many nurses earn significantly more through enterprise agreements, penalty rates, and career progression. To see where your own salary falls on the line, use the Place a salary on the line tool.