How the national average sets the line
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week nationally. Multiplied by 52, that gives an annual salary of about $108,352. This is the line that the Average line site uses to compare salaries. The full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, about $52,255 per year.
The Nurses Award sets minimum rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Nurses Award pay guide, effective from 1 August 2026. This award covers most nurses and provides minimum weekly and hourly rates for a range of classifications. For example:
- A registered nurse level 1, pay point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($32.00 per hour, Saturday $48.14, Sunday $56.16, public holiday $64.18).
- A registered nurse level 1, pay point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($32.09 per hour).
- A registered nurse level 1, pay point 8 and thereafter: $1,465.50 per week ($38.57 per hour).
- A nurse practitioner 1st year: $1,877.00 per week ($49.39 per hour).
These are minimum rates; actual salaries in Melbourne may be higher, especially in public hospitals or for experienced staff. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends and public holidays.
Where Melbourne sits
Melbourne is in Victoria. The ABS state full-time average for Victoria is $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 per year. This is slightly below the national average of $2,083.70. So a nurse in Melbourne could earn around the Victorian average or higher depending on classification, sector, and experience. The award minimums for many nurse roles are below both averages, but experienced nurses in senior roles can exceed them.
Why state and award can move the figure off the line
The national line is an average across all full-time adults. A nurse salary in Melbourne can differ because:
- Award classification: A nursing assistant earns less than a nurse practitioner. The award gives a range from $1,050.70 per week (nursing assistant 1st year) to $2,706.90 per week (registered nurse level 5, grade 6).
- Sector: Public sector full-time ordinary time earnings are $2,263.10 per week nationally, while private sector is $2,034.10. Many nurses in Melbourne work in public hospitals, which may push their pay closer to the public sector average.
- Experience and level: A registered nurse level 1 pay point 1 earns $1,219.50 per week, but a level 4 grade 3 earns $2,111.60 per week. Senior nurses can earn well above the state average.
- Location: Victoria's average is $2,041.10 per week, which is $106,137 per year. This is slightly below the national line. So a nurse in Melbourne could earn around the Victorian average or higher.
Because the ABS does not publish a nurse-specific average for Melbourne, we rely on the award as a baseline and the state average as a reference. The award rates are minimums; actual salaries often exceed them. The national line is a useful benchmark, but individual salaries depend on many factors.
Using the line to compare
You can Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. For a nurse in Melbourne, you would enter their annual salary before tax. The tool will show the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the line. You can also explore States and territories to see how Victoria's average compares to other states. For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Summary
A nurse salary in Melbourne is not a single published figure. The Fair Work Nurses Award provides minimum rates, and the Victorian full-time average is about $106,137 per year. The national line is $108,352. Depending on classification, sector, and experience, a nurse in Melbourne may earn below or above the line. The award ensures a minimum, but many nurses earn more, especially in senior roles or public hospitals.