Anesthetic Nurse Salary in Australia: Award Rates and State Differences

What Is an Anaesthetic Nurse Salary?

When you search for "anaesthetic nurse salary" in Australia, the first thing to know is that the role isn't listed as a separate occupation. The Australian Taxation Office and Jobs and Skills Australia classify anaesthetic nurses under Registered Nurses (Perioperative) (ANZSCO 254423). This group also covers nurses who work before, during and after surgery, including those assisting anaesthetists. So any salary discussion for anaesthetic nurses is really about perioperative registered nurses.

Where the Pay Figures Come From

Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for this 6-digit occupation. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours suppresses figures for occupations where the sample is too small or the error margin too high. That means there is no official "average anaesthetic nurse salary" from the national statistical agency. Instead, we look at the Nurses Award 2020 from the Fair Work Ombudsman, which sets minimum pay for registered nurses across Australia.

Award Minimums for Registered Nurses

The Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) has multiple levels and pay points. For a Registered Nurse Level 1, the minimum weekly rate as of 1 August 2026 is:

• Pay point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($32.09 per hour)
• Pay point 8 and thereafter: $1,465.50 per week ($38.57 per hour)

A Registered Nurse Level 2 starts at $1,504.40 per week ($39.59 per hour), and a Level 3 at $1,631.20 per week ($42.93 per hour). These are the legal minimums. Most anaesthetic nurses in public hospitals are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above these rates, often with additional allowances for shift work, on-call, and specialised skills.

How the Salary Index Applies

The Salary Index measures gross full-time adult ordinary-time earnings against a national line of 100, which equals $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352). Using the award minimums:

• Level 1 Pay Point 1: index 58.5
• Level 2 Pay Point 1: index 72.2
• Level 3 Pay Point 1: index 78.3

These are floor figures. Actual earnings for an anaesthetic nurse with a few years' experience are likely higher, possibly in the range of index 80–100 depending on the employer and location. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, which gives a rough benchmark for the sector.

State Differences in Anaesthetic Nurse Pay

Award rates are national, but actual pay can differ by state because public hospital enterprise agreements vary. For example, nurses in Western Australia often have higher base rates and better allowances than those in Tasmania. The state indices from the on-site reference show overall full-time earnings:

• WA: index 106.9 (annualised $115,825)
• NSW: index 101.2 ($109,658)
• VIC: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• QLD: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• SA: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• TAS: index 88.6 ($96,008)

While these are not nurse-specific, they reflect the general wage environment. A perioperative nurse in WA is likely to earn more than one in TAS, even under the same award classification, because of local enterprise bargains and cost-of-living adjustments.

Industry Context

Most anaesthetic nurses work in Health Care and Social Assistance, which has an industry index of 97.8. However, within that industry, public hospitals (state government) and private hospitals may have different pay structures. Public sector nurses often have better penalty rates and superannuation arrangements. The industries page shows how health care compares to other sectors like mining (index 154.7) or retail (75.9).

Superannuation and Tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a nurse earning $80,000, that means an extra $9,600 per year into super. Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay estimates can be made using the how the index works page.

Where to Find More Information

For the full award rates, see the pay guides section. If you're comparing roles across states, the states page has index figures for each jurisdiction. And for a deeper look at how the index is calculated, visit the methodology page.

Summary

An anaesthetic nurse salary in Australia is not a single published figure. The best starting point is the Nurses Award 2020 minimums, which for a Level 1 nurse start at $1,219.50 per week. Actual earnings vary by state, employer, and experience, but are generally above award. The salary index provides a useful way to compare any pay offer against the national line.