Where does a nurse practitioner salary sit against the national line?
This index does not publish a precise figure for a nurse practitioner salary. Instead, we can place the role against the national full-time adult ordinary-time average, which is the line on this site. That line is $2,083.70 per week or about $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. A nurse practitioner’s actual pay will depend on where they work, which award or agreement applies, and their level of experience.
The national full-time average as a benchmark
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings measure is the most widely used benchmark for full-time pay in Australia. For May 2026, the national figure is $2,083.70 per week. When you multiply by 52 weeks, the annual equivalent is roughly $108,352. This is the line that appears on every salary entry on this site. It is an average of all full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all industries and occupations. It is not a median or a minimum. The full-time median from the ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 is about $90,532, which is lower because the average is pulled up by higher earners. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100.
A nurse practitioner’s salary could be above or below the national average depending on several factors. The role typically requires advanced qualifications and registration, which often places it above the median but not necessarily above the average. Without a published figure for this specific occupation, we can only compare against the line.
How state averages shift the figure
State full-time averages vary significantly across Australia. The on-site notes provide these figures from the same ABS Average Weekly Earnings release for May 2026:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
A nurse practitioner working in Western Australia or the ACT would likely earn closer to those higher state averages, while one in Tasmania would be nearer to the lower end. These differences reflect local labour markets, cost of living, and demand for healthcare professionals. The national line is a blend of all states, so a nurse practitioner’s pay can move off that line depending on their location. For a detailed look at how each state compares, see our States and territories page.
The role of awards and enterprise agreements
Nurse practitioners in Australia are often covered by the Nurses Award 2020 or by an enterprise agreement negotiated with their employer. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. However, award rates are higher. The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 annual wage review increased award minimums by 4.75%, which applies to classifications under the Nurses Award. A nurse practitioner under that award would be classified at a higher level than a registered nurse, so their minimum rate would be above the award base.
Enterprise agreements can set rates above the award. Many public hospitals and large private health providers have agreements that include additional allowances, penalty rates, and salary packaging options. These can push a nurse practitioner’s total remuneration well above the national average. Conversely, a nurse practitioner working in a small private practice without an enterprise agreement might be paid at or just above the award rate, which could be below the national average.
Comparing with medians and minimums
It is important to keep the different benchmarks distinct. The national full-time average of $108,352 is higher than the full-time median of about $90,532. The all-employees median is even lower at about $74,100. The national minimum wage is far below at about $52,255. A nurse practitioner’s salary is unlikely to be at the minimum wage, but it could be anywhere between the median and the average, or even above the average in high-paying states or with experience. Without a published figure, we can only say that the role sits somewhere in that range.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, the ATO’s resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income 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 of 2% applies before any reductions. A nurse practitioner earning near the national average of $108,352 would fall into the 30% tax bracket plus the 2% levy, giving a marginal rate of 32%. Salary packaging, such as for living expenses in public hospitals, can reduce taxable income.
Placing your own salary on the line
If you are a nurse practitioner and want to see where your pay sits against the national average, you can Place a salary on the line using our tool. Enter your yearly salary before tax, and the tool will show you the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average. This gives you a clear picture of whether you are above, below, or right on the line.
Summary
While this index does not have a specific nurse practitioner salary figure, the national full-time average of $108,352 provides a useful benchmark. State location and award or enterprise agreement coverage are the main factors that can move a nurse practitioner’s pay off that line. The state averages range from about $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT. Award rates, set by Fair Work, provide a floor that is above the national minimum wage, and enterprise agreements can lift pay further. For more on how different occupations compare, see our Job medians page.