Aged care nurse salary: how state and industry differences affect your pay

What does 'aged care nurse salary' mean?

The phrase 'aged care nurse salary' refers to the pay for nurses working in residential aged care facilities, home care, or retirement villages. These nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], which sets minimum wages for enrolled nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners in the aged care sector. Understanding where this salary sits against the national line helps you see how your pay compares to the average Australian full-time worker.

The salary index and aged care nursing

Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: index 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from May 2026 is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings). Your own yearly gross divided by that number times 100 gives your index. For example, a registered nurse earning $1,800 per week has an index of about 86.4. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, index 48.2. Most aged care nurses earn well above that floor, but often below the national average.

Minimum rates under the Nurses Award 2020 (aged care)

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Nurses Award, which includes specific rates for aged care employees effective from 1 August 2026. These rates are higher than the general award rates because of the Aged Care Work Value case. Here are key classifications:

• Enrolled nurse (aged care) supervising other direct care employees: $1,542.00 per week ($40.58 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 1 (aged care) – first year: $1,571.60 per week ($41.36 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 1 (aged care) – after 4+ years: $1,801.10 per week ($47.40 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 2 (aged care) – first 3 years: $1,947.70 per week ($51.26 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 3 (aged care): $2,094.20 per week ($55.11 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 4 (aged care): $2,390.30 per week ($62.90 per hour).
• Registered nurse level 5 (aged care): $2,711.30 per week ($71.35 per hour).
• Nurse practitioner (aged care) – 1st year: $2,158.60 per week ($56.81 per hour).
• Nurse practitioner (aged care) – 2nd year: $2,222.70 per week ($58.49 per hour).

These are minimums. Many aged care nurses are employed under enterprise agreements that pay more, especially in states with higher labour costs.

State differences in aged care nurse pay

While the award sets a national minimum, actual salaries vary by state. Salary Index's state benchmarks show the average full-time earnings in each state relative to the national line:

• New South Wales: index 101.2 (annualised $109,658)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)

Aged care nurses in WA or ACT often earn above award because of higher demand and cost of living. In Tasmania, the lower state index means award rates are more common. The states page has more detail on local benchmarks.

Industry context: health care and social assistance

The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, slightly below the national average. Aged care is a subset of this industry, and its pay has historically lagged behind hospital nursing. The recent award changes from 1 August 2026 aim to close that gap, but many aged care nurses still earn less than their hospital counterparts. For comparison, the industries page shows mining at 154.7 and retail at 75.9.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $90,000 salary, your employer contributes $10,800 to super. For tax, using 2026–27 rates with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy, a single resident earning $90,000 pays about $22,267 in tax and Medicare, leaving $67,733 take-home. That's before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

How to use the salary index for your role

To see where your aged care nurse salary sits, divide your annual gross pay by $108,352 and multiply by 100. If you earn $95,000, your index is 87.7. That tells you you're below the national average but above the national minimum wage (index 48.2). You can compare with other roles using the how the index works page.

Final thoughts

Aged care nurse salaries have improved with recent award changes, but they still vary widely by state and employer. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database provides the exact rates, and the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides are the best place to check your minimum entitlement. If you're considering a move, check the topics page for more on location-based pay differences.