Anaesthetic Nurse Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences

What is an anaesthetic nurse?

An anaesthetic nurse is a registered nurse (RN) or enrolled nurse (EN) who works in the perioperative environment, assisting anaesthetists during surgical procedures. Despite the specialised role, there is no separate 'anaesthetic nurse' classification in the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). Instead, anaesthetic nurses are employed under the standard registered nurse or enrolled nurse levels, with pay determined by experience, qualifications, and the employer’s classification structure.

Where does an anaesthetic nurse sit on the salary index?

The Salary Index measures gross annual earnings relative to the national benchmark of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. For May 2026, that benchmark is $108,352 per year (index 100). An anaesthetic nurse earning the award minimum for a registered nurse level 1 pay point 8 ($1,465.50 per week) would have an annual salary of about $76,206, giving an index of approximately 70.3. More experienced nurses at level 2 or 3 could reach indexes of 75–85. However, many anaesthetic nurses are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above award, pushing their index closer to 90 or even 100 in some public hospitals.

State differences

Award rates are national, but actual take-home pay varies by state because of enterprise agreements and cost-of-living adjustments. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest salary index at 109.9, followed by WA at 106.9 and NSW at 101.2. An anaesthetic nurse in Canberra or Perth is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania (index 88.6) or South Australia (94.6). For example, a registered nurse level 2 in a public hospital in the ACT might earn $1,700 per week (index ~82), while the same role in Tasmania might pay $1,550 (index ~75). Private hospitals also vary, with larger cities often offering higher rates.

Industry differences

The health care and social assistance industry has a salary index of 97.8, slightly below the national average. Within this industry, anaesthetic nurses work mainly in hospitals (public and private) and day surgery centres. Public hospitals generally have stronger enterprise agreements and more penalty rates, while private hospitals may offer higher base pay but fewer penalties. The industries page provides context for how health care compares to mining (154.7) or retail (75.9).

Award rates for anaesthetic nurses

Under the Nurses Award, an anaesthetic nurse is typically classified as a registered nurse level 1 or 2. As of August 2026, the minimum weekly rates are:

• RN level 1 pay point 1: $1,219.50 ($32.09/hr)
• RN level 1 pay point 8: $1,465.50 ($38.57/hr)
• RN level 2 pay point 1: $1,504.40 ($39.59/hr)
• RN level 2 pay point 4: $1,580.30 ($41.59/hr)
• RN level 3 pay point 1: $1,631.20 ($42.93/hr)

Enrolled nurses in anaesthetics might be at EN pay point 1 ($1,139.90) to pay point 5 ($1,199.20). These are minimums; actual pay is often higher.

Beyond the award

Many anaesthetic nurses are covered by enterprise agreements that set higher rates. For example, a public hospital in NSW might pay an RN level 2 $1,700 per week, while a private hospital in Victoria might pay $1,600. Shift penalties (afternoon, night, weekend) can add 15–50% to the hourly rate. Some employers also offer allowances for on-call or specialised qualifications. The pay guides section has more on how to interpret award classifications.

Example salary calculation

Consider an anaesthetic nurse in a public hospital in WA classified as RN level 2 pay point 2 ($1,528.30/week). Annualised: $79,472. The salary index is 79,472 / 108,352 × 100 = 73.3. After tax (using 2026–27 rates) and Medicare levy, take-home is roughly $61,000. If they work regular weekend shifts, penalties could push the index to 85 or higher.

Key takeaways

• 'Anaesthetic nurse' is not a separate award classification; pay follows registered nurse levels.
• Award minima provide a floor, but enterprise agreements and location significantly affect actual earnings.
• State differences are real: nurses in ACT, WA, and NSW tend to earn more than those in TAS, SA, or NT.
• The health care industry index of 97.8 means nursing pay is close to the national average, but anaesthetic nurses with experience can exceed it.

For more on how the index works, see how the index works. For state-by-state comparisons, visit states. And for industry context, check industries.