Nursing Salary in Australia: Year, Week, and Hour
When looking at a nursing salary in Australia, the figure depends on whether you consider the median for registered nurses, the industry average, or the minimum award rates. Each gives a different perspective. This page breaks down the same pay as a yearly salary, a weekly amount, and an hourly rate, and shows how it sits against the national full-time average.
Median Earnings for Registered Nurses
The most representative figure for a typical nursing salary in Australia comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. For full-time registered nurses (excluding managers and part-time workers), the median weekly earnings are $2,192. That translates to:
- Yearly: $2,192 × 52 = $113,984 before tax
- Weekly: $2,192
- Hourly: Based on a 38‑hour week, $2,192 ÷ 38 = $57.68 per hour (the ABS median hourly earnings for registered nurses is $57)
This median is higher than the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. It also sits above the national full‑time median of about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year) for all occupations (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Industry Average for Health Care
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides an average for the health care and social assistance industry. In May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings in that industry were $2,037.20 per week ($105,934 per year). This is lower than the registered nurse median because the industry average includes many roles with lower pay, such as personal care workers and assistants.
Award Minimum Rates
The Fair Work Nurses Award 2020 sets legally binding minimum wages for nurses covered by the award. For a Registered nurse level 1, pay point 1, the minimum weekly rate is $1,219.50 ($32.09 per hour). That gives a yearly minimum of about $63,414 on a 38‑hour week. More experienced registered nurses at level 5 grade 6 earn a minimum of $2,706.90 per week ($71.23 per hour), which is above the national average. Enrolled nurses have lower minimums, starting at $1,024.70 per week for those 21 and over. The Fair Work Commission increased all award rates by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
How Nursing Pay Compares to the National Line
The site’s line is the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week. The median registered nurse salary of $2,192 per week is 5.2% above that line. The health care industry average is about 2.2% below the line. Award minimums for entry‑level registered nurses are well below the line (about 41% lower), while senior nurses can earn significantly more. For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38‑hour week.
Full‑Time and Part‑Time Work
Only 56% of registered nurses work full‑time hours, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey. The average full‑time hours for nurses are 41 per week, slightly above the standard 38‑hour week used for award calculations and for the site’s hourly conversion. Part‑time nurses earn proportionally less, but their hourly rates are often higher due to penalty rates and loadings. When you place a nursing salary on the line, the tool uses a 38‑hour week to show the weekly and hourly equivalents, plus the distance from the national full‑time average.
State Variations
Nursing salaries vary by state. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 shows state full‑time averages (all occupations) ranging from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT. Registered nurse pay tends to follow these patterns, with higher wages in states like Western Australia ($115,825 state average) and the ACT, and lower in Tasmania and South Australia ($102,450). For a detailed breakdown by state, see our States and territories page.
Using the Figures
The median figure is a guide, not a guarantee. Actual pay depends on experience, location, employer, and whether you work in public or private health. The ABS data for registered nurses is from May 2025, while the national average is from May 2026. Award rates are current as of August 2026. For more comparisons, explore Job medians for other occupations or Industry medians for health care and social assistance.
Summary of Key Figures
- Median full‑time registered nurse: $2,192 per week ($113,984 per year, ~$57.68 per hour)
- Health care industry average: $2,037.20 per week ($105,934 per year)
- Award minimum (RN level 1 pay point 1): $1,219.50 per week ($63,414 per year)
- National full‑time average: $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year)
- National full‑time median: ~$1,741 per week ($90,532 per year)
- National minimum wage: $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 per year)
The nursing salary in Australia is generally above the national average for full‑time workers, especially for experienced registered nurses. However, award minimums for new graduates are lower, and part‑time work is common. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see how any nursing wage compares.