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Cosmetic nurse salary in Australia: how it compares with the national full‑time average

There is no single published figure for cosmetic nurse salary, but registered nurses under the Nurses Award earn between $63,414 and $76,206 a year at Level 1, and cosmetic nurse roles often attract a premium above award.

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

Cosmetic nurse salary and the national average

Cosmetic nursing is a growing specialty, but there is no single official figure for a cosmetic nurse salary in Australia. The ABS, Fair Work and the ATO do not publish a dedicated statistic. Instead, cosmetic nurses are classified under the Nurses Award 2010 [MA000034], which sets minimum rates for registered nurses, enrolled nurses and nursing assistants. Most cosmetic nurses are registered nurses (RNs) and their pay depends on their classification level, experience and whether they work in a clinic, hospital or day surgery.

Award minimums for registered nurses

Under the Nurses Award, a full‑time RN at Level 1, pay point 1 earns $1,219.50 a week ($63,414 a year). At the top of Level 1 (pay point 8 and thereafter) the rate is $1,465.50 a week ($76,206 a year). Level 2 starts at $1,504.40 a week ($78,229 a year) and rises to $1,580.30 ($82,176 a year) at pay point 4. Many cosmetic nurses are employed at Level 2 or above, especially if they perform injections or laser procedures. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, which can boost weekly earnings.

Typical earnings from job ads

Job‑listing sites such as SEEK show typical salaries for cosmetic nurse roles around $85,000 to $105,000 a year, with cosmetic injectors often at the higher end. These figures are not audited by the ABS or Fair Work, but they give a market sense. A cosmetic nurse earning $100,000 is above the national full‑time median of about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) but still below the full‑time average of $108,352.

How the national average is set

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52 weeks. This is the line used on this site. Men average about $113,412 and women about $100,594. Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares.

State averages vary widely. The highest is the ACT at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania is the lowest at $96,008. A cosmetic nurse in Sydney or Melbourne may earn more than one in Hobart, but living costs also differ. States and territories has the full breakdown.

Resident take‑home sketch

Using the 2026–27 tax rates, a cosmetic nurse earning $100,000 would pay:

  • $0 on the first $18,200
  • $4,020 on the next $26,800 (15 %)
  • $16,500 on the next $55,000 (30 %)
  • Medicare levy 2 % = $2,000

Total tax and levy: about $22,520. Take‑home: roughly $77,480 a year, or $1,490 a week. If the nurse earns $85,000, the take‑home is about $66,800. These are rough estimates; HELP repayments, private health insurance rebates or other offsets change the final amount.

Where cosmetic nurses fit in the pay landscape

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or $52,255 a year on 38 hours. Even an RN at the lowest award point earns well above that. The all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual) is about $74,100. A cosmetic nurse on $85,000 is above that median but below the full‑time average. Those on $105,000 are close to the average.

Award vs market rates

Many cosmetic nurses are paid above award because the role requires additional skills (injectables, laser safety) and often involves commission or bonuses. The Nurses Award is a safety net, not a ceiling. Employers may offer a salary package that includes superannuation, professional development or product allowances. When comparing a job offer, check whether the quoted salary includes super (the SG is 11.5 % in 2026–27) and whether penalty rates apply.

Industry and occupation medians

The ABS publishes median earnings by occupation and industry, but not specifically for cosmetic nurses. The broader category “Registered Nurses” has a median of about $85,000–$90,000 depending on the source. Job medians and Industry medians provide context for related roles.

Summary

A cosmetic nurse salary is not officially published, but award rates and market data suggest a range of $63,000 to $105,000 a year. The national full‑time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark. Most cosmetic nurses earn below that average unless they have senior roles or strong penalty earnings. For a personalised comparison, Place a salary on the line and see the weekly, hourly and distance from the average.

How the figures are set explains the sources and methodology. About this site has more on the salary index.

Questions

What is the average salary for a cosmetic nurse in Australia?

No official source publishes a precise average for cosmetic nurses. Job‑ad sites such as SEEK report typical ranges around $85,000–$105,000, but these are not from the ABS, Fair Work or the ATO. Under the Nurses Award, a registered nurse at Level 1, pay point 8 earns $1,465.50 a week ($76,206 a year). Many cosmetic nurses hold Level 2 or higher classifications, which start at $1,504.40 a week ($78,229 a year). Actual earnings depend on experience, location and employer.

How does a cosmetic nurse’s pay compare with the national full‑time average?

The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. A cosmetic nurse on award rates alone would earn below that average. However, many cosmetic nurses receive above‑award pay, penalty rates or commission, which can lift total earnings closer to or above the national average. The full‑time median is about $90,532, so a cosmetic nurse earning $85,000–$105,000 is around the middle of the workforce.

What is the take‑home pay for a cosmetic nurse earning $100,000?

For 2026–27, a resident earning $100,000 pays no tax on the first $18,200, then 15 % on the next $26,800 ($4,020), 30 % on the next $55,000 ($16,500), and the Medicare levy of 2 % ($2,000). Total tax and levy is about $22,520, leaving a take‑home of roughly $77,480 a year, or $1,490 a week. This is a sketch; individual circumstances (HELP debt, offsets) change the outcome.

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