Nurse anaesthetist salary in Australia
There is no single published figure for a nurse anaesthetist salary in Australia. The ABS and Fair Work do not report a dedicated occupation or classification for “nurse anaesthetist”. Instead, these roles are performed by registered nurses with additional qualifications in anaesthetics, and their pay is determined by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034).
Where the data comes from
To understand where a nurse anaesthetist’s pay sits against the national full‑time average, we rely on two main sources:
- Fair Work – the Nurses Award pay guide, updated 17 July 2026, with rates effective from 1 August 2026.
- ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 – the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
The ABS also publishes medians: the full‑time median is about $90,532 per year, and the all‑employees median is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Award rates for registered nurses
Under the Nurses Award, a registered nurse (RN) is paid according to level and pay point. The most relevant classifications for an experienced nurse anaesthetist are RN Level 2 and RN Level 3. Weekly rates for full‑time employees (38 hours) are:
- RN Level 2, pay point 1: $1,504.40 per week ($39.59 per hour)
- RN Level 2, pay point 4 and thereafter: $1,580.30 per week ($41.59 per hour)
- RN Level 3, pay point 1: $1,631.20 per week ($42.93 per hour)
These rates are minimums. Many nurse anaesthetists will be at higher pay points or receive allowances, but the award does not specify a separate “nurse anaesthetist” classification.
How this compares to the national full‑time average
The national full‑time average of $2,083.70 per week is significantly higher than the top RN Level 3 rate of $1,631.20. Even after adding typical allowances, a nurse anaesthetist’s salary is likely to be below the average. The gap is about 22% at the award minimum for Level 3.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, $52,255 per year). Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the latest adjustment.
Distinction from medical anaesthetists
It is important not to confuse a nurse anaesthetist with a medical anaesthetist (specialist doctor). According to Jobs and Skills Australia, anaesthetists (medical) have a median full‑time weekly earnings of $8,293, or about $431,236 per year. That is a different occupation with a much higher salary.
State‑by‑state full‑time averages
The national full‑time average varies by state and territory. For a nurse anaesthetist considering relocation, these figures (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) provide a benchmark:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
A nurse anaesthetist earning the award minimum for RN Level 3 ($84,822) would be below the average in every state and territory.
Using the site’s tools
You can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full‑time average, or explore job medians for other healthcare roles. For more detail on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Summary
Because there is no dedicated “nurse anaesthetist” salary published by the ABS or Fair Work, the best available guide is the Nurses Award for registered nurses. At the top award rate (RN Level 3, pay point 1), a nurse anaesthetist earns about $84,822 per year, which is roughly 22% below the national full‑time average of $108,352. Actual earnings may be higher with experience and allowances, but the role typically pays below the average for all full‑time workers.