Clinical nurse salary: award rates and what they mean for your pay
Understand the clinical nurse salary under the Nurses Award 2020, how it compares to national average earnings, and what to consider when reading job ads.
The minimum award salary for a clinical nurse (Registered Nurse level 2) is about $78,200 per year, which sits at an index of approximately 72 against the national line of 100.
What is a clinical nurse salary?
When you see a job ad for a "clinical nurse", the advertised salary is likely based on the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) classification for a Registered Nurse level 2. Under that award, a clinical nurse is defined as an employee at RN level 2, which typically requires additional qualifications or experience beyond a standard registered nurse. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guides that set minimum rates for this role.
Minimum award rates for clinical nurses
As of August 2026, the minimum weekly pay for a full-time clinical nurse (RN level 2) under the Nurses Award is:
- Pay point 1: $1,504.40 per week ($39.59 per hour)
- Pay point 2: $1,528.30 per week ($40.22 per hour)
- Pay point 3: $1,554.80 per week ($40.92 per hour)
- Pay point 4 and thereafter: $1,580.30 per week ($41.59 per hour)
These rates come from the Fair Work Ombudsman's Nurses Award pay guide. Annualised, the lowest pay point gives about $78,229 per year. That figure is the award minimum – many clinical nurses earn more, especially in public hospitals or under enterprise agreements.
How the clinical nurse salary compares to the national line
Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 to represent full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics puts at $108,352 per year (May 2026). The award minimum for a clinical nurse works out to an index of about 72. That means the minimum clinical nurse salary is roughly 72% of the national average.
But that's the floor. A clinical nurse with several years of experience or working in a state like Western Australia (index 106.9) or the ACT (index 109.9) could earn significantly more. The states page shows how location affects pay. Also, the health care and social assistance industry has an average index of 97.8, so many nurses earn close to the national line.
Reading a job ad: what to look for
When comparing offers, check whether the salary is:
- Award minimum – the legal base, often stated as "under the Nurses Award"
- Above award – common in private hospitals or agencies
- Inclusive of penalties – some ads quote a package that includes weekend and shift loadings
- Plus super – the 12% super guarantee (from 1 July 2026) is on top of the base salary
For example, a job offering $85,000 per year for a clinical nurse is about 12% above the award minimum and would have an index of 78. That's a reasonable starting point for someone with a couple of years of experience.
Tax and take-home pay
Using the 2026–27 tax rates (excluding Medicare), a clinical nurse earning $78,229 would pay about $14,660 in tax plus the 2% Medicare levy ($1,565). That leaves a take-home of roughly $62,000 per year, or $1,192 per week. If you earn $85,000, take-home is about $66,700. Use the how the index works page to understand the full calculation.
Penalty rates boost income
Clinical nurses often work shifts, weekends, and public holidays. The award pays:
- Saturday: 1.5x the hourly rate
- Sunday: 1.75x (or 2x for some classifications)
- Public holidays: 2x
A clinical nurse on pay point 1 who works every Saturday would earn an extra $19.80 per hour for those hours. Over a year, that can add thousands to the annual salary, pushing the index well above 72.
Superannuation and other benefits
Employers must pay super at 12% on top of the base salary. For a $78,229 salary, that's an extra $9,387 into your super fund. Some employers also offer salary packaging (e.g., for cars or laptops) which can reduce tax.
Where clinical nurses work
Clinical nurses are employed across the health industry – hospitals, aged care, community health, and private practice. The industries page shows that health care and social assistance has an average index of 97.8, meaning many roles pay above the award minimum. However, aged care has faced wage disputes, so check the specific award coverage.
Summary
The clinical nurse salary under the award is a starting point. Your actual pay depends on experience, location, employer, and whether you work penalty hours. Use the award rates as a baseline, then compare job ads against the national index to see where an offer sits. For more detail on award classifications, see the Fair Work Ombudsman's Nurses Award page.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum award salary for a clinical nurse in Australia?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, a clinical nurse is classified as a Registered Nurse level 2. The minimum weekly rate for pay point 1 is $1,504.40, which annualises to about $78,229. This is the legal minimum; many employers pay above this rate.
How does the clinical nurse salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 per year (index 100). The award minimum for a clinical nurse is about $78,229, giving an index of 72. However, experienced clinical nurses often earn closer to or above the national average, especially in public hospitals or with penalty rates.
Do clinical nurses get penalty rates and superannuation?
Yes. The award requires penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work (e.g., Saturday 1.5x, Sunday 2x). Superannuation is mandatory at 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of the base salary. Penalty rates can significantly increase take-home pay for those working non-standard hours.