Nurse practitioner salary: award minimums and what the national line shows
Nurse practitioner salary: award minimum rates from the Nurses Award 2020, how it compares to the national line, and what that means for gross pay, super, and tax mean for a nurse
The award minimum for a 1st-year nurse practitioner is about 90.1 on the Salary Index, based on the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, but actual earnings are uncertain because no median data is available.
What is a nurse practitioner salary?
A nurse practitioner salary in Australia is the pay for a registered nurse who has completed advanced training and is authorised to diagnose, prescribe medications, and order diagnostic tests. The role sits above a registered nurse but below a medical practitioner. Because it is a relatively new and specialised classification, public salary data is limited. The best available benchmarks come from the Nurses Award 2020 and the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series.
Award minimums for nurse practitioners
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for the Nurses Award 2020. For a full-time nurse practitioner (other than aged care), the minimum weekly rate is:
- 1st year: $1,877.00 per week ($49.39 per hour)
- 2nd year: $1,932.70 per week ($50.86 per hour)
For nurse practitioners working in aged care, the rates are higher:
- 1st year: $2,158.60 per week ($56.81 per hour)
- 2nd year: $2,222.70 per week ($58.49 per hour)
These are minimums. Many employers, especially in public hospitals and large health networks, pay above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The award also includes penalty rates, overtime, and allowances that can increase total earnings.
Where does the nurse practitioner salary sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index compares a yearly gross salary to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). A 1st-year nurse practitioner on the award minimum (other than aged care) earns $97,604 annualised, giving an index of 90.1. That is about 10% below the national average for full-time adult workers.
An aged care nurse practitioner on the 1st-year award rate earns $112,247 annualised, index 103.6 – slightly above the national line.
But remember: the award is a floor. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, meaning the typical worker in that industry earns close to the national average. Experienced nurse practitioners, especially those in senior roles or with additional qualifications, can earn significantly more.
Gross pay, super, and tax considerations
When you see a nurse practitioner salary figure, it is gross pay before tax and super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $97,604 salary, the employer must add $11,712 in super.
Tax on a $97,604 gross salary (2026–27 rates, excluding Medicare) is roughly:
- Nil on first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the next $90,000 (but only $52,604 falls here, so $15,781)
- Total tax ~$19,801, plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,952) = $21,753. Take-home pay ~$75,851.
For the aged care award rate of $112,247, tax would be higher, and take-home around $85,000.
State and industry context
Nurse practitioner salaries can vary by state. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index (109.9) and Tasmania the lowest (88.6). A nurse practitioner in the ACT might earn above the national line, while one in Tasmania might be closer to the award minimum.
The health care industry index is 97.8, meaning the sector as a whole is slightly below the national average. But nurse practitioners are a specialised subset and may command a premium.
Why no median earnings?
Jobs and Skills Australia does not publish median weekly earnings for nurse practitioners because the sample size is too small to produce reliable statistics. This means we cannot give a definitive "typical" salary. The award rates are the only official public figures. For a more accurate picture, you would need to look at advertised roles, enterprise agreements, or salary surveys from professional bodies.
How to use this information
If you are negotiating a nurse practitioner salary, start with the award minimum as your floor. Check if your employer has an enterprise agreement that sets higher rates. Factor in location, experience, and whether the role includes on-call or shift penalties. Use the how the index works page to compare any offer to the national line.
The topics page has more on award interpretation and salary benchmarking for health professionals.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum award wage for a nurse practitioner in Australia?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time nurse practitioner (other than aged care) is $1,877.00 in the first year and $1,932.70 in the second year. For aged care, the rates are $2,158.60 (1st year) and $2,222.70 (2nd year). These rates apply from 1 August 2026.
How does the nurse practitioner salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (index 100). The award minimum for a 1st-year nurse practitioner ($1,877/week) sits at index 90.1, below the national line. However, many nurse practitioners earn above the award, and the health care industry index is 97.8, suggesting typical pay may be closer to the national average.
Does superannuation apply to nurse practitioner salaries?
Yes. Under the Nurses Award and the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute at least 12% of ordinary-time earnings (from 1 July 2026) to a complying super fund. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. Super is paid on top of the base salary and is not included in the Salary Index figures.