Clinical nurse consultant salary: award rates, state comparisons and index position

What is a clinical nurse consultant salary?

A clinical nurse consultant (CNC) is an experienced registered nurse who provides expert clinical advice, leadership and education within a healthcare setting. The salary for this role is not a single figure—it depends on the employer, the state or territory, the nurse’s level of responsibility, and whether the position is covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement.

Under the Nurses Award 2020, which is the federal minimum standard for many private hospitals and aged care facilities, a CNC is typically classified as a Registered Nurse Level 3 or Level 4. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides for this award set out the minimum weekly and hourly rates. As of 1 August 2026, a Level 3 Pay point 1 nurse earns $1,631.20 per week ($42.93 per hour), while a Level 4 Grade 3 nurse earns $2,111.60 per week ($55.57 per hour). Annualised, that is $84,822 and $109,803 respectively.

But these are floors. Many public hospitals and large private employers pay above award through enterprise agreements or state-based awards. For example, NSW Health has its own classification structure where a CNC may be graded as a Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 1, 2 or 3, with salaries that can exceed $130,000. The states page on Salary Index shows how average earnings vary: Western Australia (index 106.9) and the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) tend to pay above the national line, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are lower.

Where does a clinical nurse consultant salary sit on the Salary Index?

The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national benchmark of 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A CNC at the top of Level 4 Grade 3 ($109,803) has an index of about 101.3—just above the national line. At Level 3 Pay point 1 ($84,822) the index would be 78.3, well below the line. However, many CNCs in practice earn more than the award minimum, so the typical index for an experienced CNC is likely between 100 and 120.

Industry also matters. The industries page shows that Health Care and Social Assistance has an index of 97.8, slightly below the national average. But CNCs are a specialised subset within that industry, and their higher classification means they typically earn above the industry average. In contrast, a CNC working in a mining company’s on-site clinic might be covered by the Mining industry (index 154.7) and earn significantly more.

State and territory differences

Because CNCs are often employed by state health departments, their salaries can vary markedly by location. The states page provides the index for each jurisdiction. For example:

• New South Wales (index 101.2): NSW Health’s award for nurses (the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award) sets CNC salaries from about $110,000 to $140,000 depending on grade and experience.
• Victoria (index 98): The Victorian public sector pays CNCs under the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) Agreement, with rates typically between $105,000 and $130,000.
• Queensland (index 97.9): Queensland Health’s Nurse and Midwife classification includes Clinical Nurse Consultant roles at levels 1–3, with salaries from $100,000 to $125,000.
• Western Australia (index 106.9): WA’s public health system pays CNCs under the Nurses and Midwives (WA Government) Enterprise Agreement, with top-level CNCs earning over $140,000.
• Tasmania (index 88.6): Tasmanian Health Service pays CNCs under the Nurses and Midwives (Tasmanian State Service) Agreement, generally lower than mainland states.

These state indices reflect average earnings across all industries, not just nursing. But they give a sense of the overall wage environment. A CNC in WA or ACT will likely have a higher index than one in TAS or SA.

How superannuation and tax affect take-home pay

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a CNC earning $110,000, the employer contributes $13,200 to super. This is not included in the Salary Index (which uses gross ordinary-time earnings) but is part of total remuneration.

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A CNC earning $110,000 would pay about $24,467 in tax plus the 2% Medicare levy ($2,200), leaving a take-home of approximately $83,333. This is a rough estimate; it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice and the Medicare levy surcharge.

How to find the exact salary for a clinical nurse consultant

Because the term ‘clinical nurse consultant’ is not defined in the federal award, the best approach is to check the specific award or agreement that applies to the employer. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides list minimum rates for the Nurses Award 2020, but if the employer is a state government health department, the relevant state industrial instrument will apply. The how the index works page explains how to convert any salary into an index value for comparison.

In summary, a clinical nurse consultant salary is well above the national minimum wage ($52,255, index 48.2) and typically sits around or above the national line of 100, depending on state, employer and experience. The award minimums provide a floor, but actual earnings are often higher, especially in high-index states like WA and ACT.