How much does a nurse earn in Australia?
Nurse salaries in Australia are primarily set by the Nurses Award 2020, a modern award from the Fair Work Commission that covers most nurses and midwives. The award provides minimum weekly and hourly rates for a wide range of classifications, from nursing assistants to senior registered nurses. These rates are updated each year, most recently on 1 August 2026.
Award minimum rates (full-time, 38 hours per week)
Under the award, a full-time employee works 38 hours per week or an average of 38 hours over a roster cycle. The minimum weekly rates translate to annual salaries as follows (multiplied by 52 weeks):
- Student enrolled nurse (under 21): $976.20/week → $50,762/year
- Enrolled nurse pay point 1: $1,139.90/week → $59,275/year
- Registered nurse level 1 pay point 1: $1,219.50/week → $63,414/year
- Registered nurse level 1 pay point 8: $1,465.50/week → $76,206/year
- Registered nurse level 3 pay point 4: $1,720.10/week → $89,445/year
- Registered nurse level 4 grade 3: $2,111.60/week → $109,803/year
- Registered nurse level 5 grade 6: $2,706.90/week → $140,759/year
- Nurse practitioner 1st year: $1,877.00/week → $97,604/year
These are minimum rates. Many nurses earn more through enterprise agreements, experience, or penalty rates. The award also includes allowances for on-call, uniforms, and travel.
Source: and
How nurse pay compares to the national average
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the figure used as the line on this site.
Most nurse classifications under the award fall below this average. For example, a registered nurse at level 1 pay point 1 earns about $63,414 – roughly $44,938 less than the national average. Even a level 3 nurse at the top pay point ($89,445) is still below the line. Only more senior roles – such as registered nurse level 4 grade 3 ($109,803) and above – exceed the national average.
For context:
- The full-time median earnings are about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
- The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100.
- The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 per year on 38 hours.
So a nurse at the registered nurse level 1 pay point 1 earns about 59% of the national full-time average, while a level 5 grade 6 nurse earns about 130%.
Place a salary on the line to see where your pay sits.
What moves nurse pay above or below the average?
Classification and experience
The biggest factor is the nurse’s classification. An enrolled nurse starts around $59,000, while a senior registered nurse can exceed $140,000. Progression through pay points within a level also increases pay.
Penalty rates and overtime
Nurses often work shifts outside normal hours. The award provides penalty rates:
- Saturday: 150% of the ordinary rate
- Sunday: 200%
- Public holidays: 250%
- Overtime: 150% for first 2 hours, then 200% (Monday–Saturday); 200% on Sunday; 250% on public holidays
These can significantly boost annual earnings, especially for those who regularly work weekends or nights.
Public vs private sector
According to the ABS, full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings in the public sector are $2,263.10 (about $117,681/year), compared to $2,034.10 (about $105,773/year) in the private sector. Many nurses in public hospitals are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award.
Location
State and territory averages vary. For example:
- ACT: $2,290.20/week ($119,090/year)
- WA: $2,227.40/week ($115,825/year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30/week ($96,008/year)
Nurses in higher-paying states may earn more, though cost of living also differs.
States and territories shows full-time averages by location.
Part-time and casual work
Many nurses work part-time or casually. Part-time employees are paid pro-rata of the full-time rate. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This can increase hourly pay but reduce annual hours.
Industry context
The ABS does not publish a specific “nurse” earnings figure, but the Health care and social assistance industry is one of the largest employers. The average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults in that industry (not shown in the search results) would be influenced by nurses, doctors, and allied health workers. For comparison, the Education and training industry average is about $2,197.90/week ($114,291/year).
Industry medians provides more detail on how different sectors compare.
How the figures are set
The Nurses Award is updated annually by the Fair Work Commission. The most recent increase (4.75% for award minimums) took effect on 1 July 2026. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is released twice a year (May and November) and measures average earnings across all industries.
How the figures are set explains the methodology.
Summary
Nurse salaries in Australia vary widely. Entry-level positions pay well below the national full-time average, while senior roles can exceed it. Penalty rates, location, and sector all influence where a nurse’s pay sits relative to the line. If you are a nurse, you can use this site to compare your salary to the national average and see how your classification stacks up.
Guides offers more articles on understanding your pay.