Registered nurse salary NSW: Where it sits against the national full-time average
If you are looking at a registered nurse salary in NSW, the most authoritative source is the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award 2025, which covers nurses and midwives employed by NSW Health. The award sets minimum weekly rates that increase with experience. These rates are updated each year – the latest increase took effect from 1 July 2026, as detailed in a NSW Health Information Bulletin.
To see how these salaries stack up, we compare them to the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplying by 52 weeks). That figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 release.
Award rates for registered nurses in NSW
The award provides a clear ladder of weekly pay for registered nurses. The rates from 1 July 2026 are:
- 1st year: $1,566.70 per week – about $81,468 per year
- 2nd year: $1,651.70 per week – about $85,888 per year
- 3rd year: $1,737.00 per week – about $90,324 per year
- 4th year: $1,828.50 per week – about $95,082 per year
- 5th year: $1,919.20 per week – about $99,798 per year
- 6th year: $2,009.50 per week – about $104,494 per year
- 7th year: $2,112.80 per week – about $109,866 per year
- 8th year and thereafter: $2,199.60 per week – about $114,379 per year
These are the minimum rates for a 38-hour week (the standard ordinary hours under the award). Many nurses also receive allowances for shift work, qualifications, or specialities, which can push total earnings higher.
How they compare to the national full-time average
The national full-time adult average of $108,352 is a benchmark for all full-time workers across Australia. A registered nurse in NSW reaches that level around the 6th or 7th year of experience. Nurses in their first few years earn below the average, while experienced senior nurses earn above it.
It is worth noting that the national average includes all industries and occupations. The full-time median (the middle point) is lower – about $90,532 per year according to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025. So even a first-year registered nurse at $81,468 is not far from the median, and by the third year ($90,324) they are close to it.
How it compares to the NSW state average
The New South Wales full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,108.80 per week, or about $109,658 per year. A registered nurse in the 7th year ($2,112.80) just matches that state average, and an 8th-year nurse ($2,199.60) exceeds it. Junior nurses are below the state average, which is typical for entry-level professional roles.
What about the national minimum wage?
For context, 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. Every registered nurse under the award earns well above that minimum. The award itself is a ‘minimum’ for the industry, but it is far higher than the national minimum.
Other factors affecting registered nurse pay in NSW
- Public vs private sector: The award applies to public hospitals and health services. Private hospitals may have different arrangements, often matching or exceeding award rates.
- Penalty rates and overtime: Shift workers (most nurses) get penalty rates for evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. These can add significantly to base pay.
- Allowances: There are allowances for in-charge duties, specialities (e.g., mental health, midwifery), and location (e.g., remote areas).
- Clinical nurse specialists: The award also covers Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Grade 1, who earn $2,289.00 per week from 1 July 2026 – about $119,028 per year.
Where to go from here
If you want to see how your own salary compares, you can place a salary on the line and see where it falls relative to the national average. You can also explore states and territories to compare NSW with other parts of Australia, or check job medians for other healthcare roles. For more detail on how the figures are calculated, see how the figures are set.
Summary
A registered nurse salary in NSW under the public health award ranges from about $81,500 for a first-year nurse to $114,400 for an experienced nurse. The national full-time average sits at $108,352. So while early-career nurses are below the average, those with several years of experience are comfortably above it. The award ensures steady progression, and with penalty rates and allowances, many nurses earn more than the base rates shown here.