Mental health nurse salary: what to expect when comparing job ads
Mental health nurse salary guide: award minima, industry benchmarks, and how to compare offers using the Salary Index.
Official median earnings are not published, but award minima for registered nurses start at $1,219.50/week (index 58.6) and the health care industry index sits at 97.8.
What is a mental health nurse salary?
A mental health nurse salary is the pay a registered nurse receives for providing nursing care to patients with mental health conditions. In Australia, mental health nurses are classified under the ANZSCO occupation 254422, part of the Registered Nurses (Mental Health) group. When you read a job ad, the salary figure is usually quoted as an annual package or an hourly rate. To compare offers, you need to know the award minimum, the industry benchmark, and how your state or employer stacks up.
The award floor for mental health nurses
Mental health nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The award sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for registered nurses at different levels. For a Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 1, the minimum from August 2026 is $1,219.50 per week ($32.09 per hour). At the top of Level 1, pay point 8, it's $1,465.50 per week ($38.57 per hour). These are the legal minimums; many employers pay above these rates.
If you see a job ad offering $35 per hour for a mental health nurse, that is above the award minimum for a Level 1 nurse but still below the Level 2 minimum ($39.59/hr). The award also has higher levels (2, 3, 4, 5) for more senior roles. For example, a Nurse Practitioner first year gets $1,877 per week ($49.39/hr).
Where does mental health nursing sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, meaning typical earnings in that sector are about $105,900 annualised. A mental health nurse on the award minimum for Level 1 pay point 1 earns about $63,414 per year, which gives an index of 58.6. That is well below the national line but above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255).
However, actual mental health nurse salaries are often higher. Jobs and Skills Australia notes that 63% of mental health nurses work full-time, averaging 41 hours per week, and the median age is 44. No median weekly earnings figure is published for this specific occupation, but the industry index gives a rough guide. If you earn around $80,000, your index is about 73.8; $100,000 gives 92.3; $120,000 gives 110.7.
Comparing job ads using the index
When you see two job ads for mental health nurses, one offering $75,000 and another $90,000, the index helps you compare them against national benchmarks. The $75,000 salary has an index of 69.2, which is below the health care industry average. The $90,000 salary indexes at 83.1, still below the national line but closer to the industry norm. If you are in Western Australia, where the state index is 106.9, a $90,000 salary is below the state average; in Tasmania (index 88.6), it's above.
You can also compare to other industries. For example, retail trade has an index of 75.9, while professional services index 114.7. Mental health nursing sits in the health care industry, which is slightly below the national average. But remember that award rates include penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, which can boost take-home pay.
Super and tax considerations
From July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if you are offered $80,000, your employer must contribute $9,600 to super. That is not included in the quoted salary but is part of your total remuneration.
For tax, a resident earning $80,000 in 2026–27 pays about $16,467 in income tax plus $1,600 Medicare levy (2%), leaving a take-home of about $61,933. A $100,000 salary results in about $24,867 tax plus $2,000 Medicare levy, take-home about $73,133. Use the pay guides to check award rates and tax tables.
Where to find more information
- Salary Index: Compare any salary to the national line.
- States: See how your state's index affects your offer.
- Topics: More guides on nurse pay, awards, and super.
Final thoughts
A mental health nurse salary depends on your classification, experience, location, and employer. The award minimums are a starting point, but actual offers often exceed them. Use the index to see where a figure sits against the national line and your industry. If a job ad doesn't list a salary, ask for the classification level and check the award rates. That way you can compare offers fairly.
Questions people ask
What is the average mental health nurse salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for mental health nurses specifically. However, award minima for registered nurses start at $1,219.50 per week (about $63,414 annualised) for a Level 1, pay point 1. Many mental health nurses are paid above these rates, often under enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The health care industry index of 97.8 suggests typical full-time ordinary-time earnings in the sector are around $105,900 annualised.
How does the mental health nurse salary compare to the national average?
The national index is 100, which equals $108,352 annualised. The health care industry index is 97.8, slightly below average. A registered nurse at award minima (Level 1 pay point 1) has an index of about 58.6, well below the national line. But actual market rates for experienced mental health nurses often reach the industry average or higher. For example, a nurse on $1,465.50 per week (Level 1 pay point 8) indexes at about 70.4, still below the national line but above the national minimum wage index of 48.2.
What factors affect mental health nurse pay?
Pay depends on classification level (RN Level 1 to 5), years of experience, location (state indices vary from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in ACT), employer type (public vs private), and shift penalties. Award rates include higher pay for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. Experience and postgraduate qualifications can move you up pay points. Enterprise agreements often provide above-award rates.