Salary for Nurses in Australia
Nursing is one of Australia’s largest professions, and pay varies widely by role, experience, and location. This article compares the salary for nurses in Australia against the national full-time average, using the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Fair Work.
The National Full-Time Average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the benchmark we use on this site. The national full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
Where Nurses Sit
According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192. That is about $113,984 a year – above the national full-time average of $108,352. The median hourly rate for registered nurses is $57, compared to $47 for all occupations.
However, the median is not the same as the average, and many nurses earn less. The award minimums, which apply to nurses not covered by an enterprise agreement, are significantly lower. For example, a registered nurse at Level 1, Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour under the Nurses Award (effective 1 August 2026). That works out to $1,219.50 per week, or about $63,414 a year – well below the national average.
Award Rates vs Market Rates
The Nurses Award 2020, published by Fair Work, sets minimum pay for classifications from nursing assistant to registered nurse level 5. The table below shows a selection of weekly rates (full-time, 38 hours):
- Nursing assistant (1st year): $1,050.70
- Enrolled nurse (Pay Point 1): $1,139.90
- Registered nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1: $1,219.50
- Registered nurse Level 1 Pay Point 8: $1,465.50
- Registered nurse Level 4 Grade 3: $2,111.60
- Registered nurse Level 5 Grade 6: $2,474.10
These are minimums. Many nurses, especially those in public hospitals or with enterprise agreements, earn more. The median of $2,192 suggests that experienced nurses and those in higher grades often earn above the award.
State and Territory Differences
The national average masks regional variation. The ABS provides state full-time averages (May 2026):
- New South Wales: $2,108.80/week ($109,658/year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10/week ($106,137/year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70/week ($106,064/year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20/week ($102,450/year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40/week ($115,825/year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30/week ($96,008/year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10/week ($103,173/year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20/week ($119,090/year)
Nurses in the ACT and WA tend to earn above the national average, while those in Tasmania and SA earn below. The median nurse salary of $2,192 is above the state average in most states except WA and ACT.
How the Figures Are Set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, conducted twice a year (May and November). The median earnings for nurses come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is less frequent. Award rates are set by Fair Work after annual wage reviews. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week).
For a detailed breakdown of how we calculate these figures, see How the figures are set. You can also explore Job medians for other professions.
Tax Considerations
A nurse earning the median $113,984 a year falls into the 30% tax bracket for 2026–27 (taxable income $45,001 to $135,000). The tax-free threshold is $18,200. After tax and the 2% Medicare levy, take-home pay would be roughly $85,000–$90,000, depending on deductions and offsets.
Summary
The salary for nurses in Australia is generally above the national full-time average when looking at median earnings, but award minimums are lower. Actual pay depends on classification, experience, location, and whether an enterprise agreement applies. For personalised pay calculations, use our Place a salary on the line tool.