Nurse salary Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage
Compare nurse salary Australia award rates to the national minimum wage. See how registered and enrolled nurse pay sits on the salary index.
Median full-time earnings for registered nurses are $2,192 per week, giving a salary index of about 105, while award minima range from index 70 to 130 depending on classification.
Nurse salary Australia: how award rates compare to the national minimum wage
When people search for "nurse salary australia", they often want to know how much a nurse actually earns and whether that pay is fair. The answer depends on whether you look at the legal minimum set by the Nurses Award 2020 or at what nurses typically earn in practice. This guide compares award rates to the national minimum wage and shows where nurse pay sits on the salary index.
What the Nurses Award says
The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum weekly rates for enrolled nurses and registered nurses. These rates are updated each year through the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%.
For enrolled nurses (other than aged care), the minimum weekly rate ranges from $976.20 for those under 21 to $1,199.20 at pay point 5. That annualises to $50,762 to $62,358, giving a salary index of 46.9 to 57.6. For registered nurses level 1, pay point 1 is $1,219.50 per week ($63,414 annual, index 58.5) and pay point 8 is $1,465.50 per week ($76,206 annual, index 70.3). At the top end, a registered nurse level 5 grade 6 earns $2,706.90 per week ($140,759 annual, index 129.9).
Aged care nurses have their own higher rates. A registered nurse level 1 in aged care with over four years’ experience earns $1,801.10 per week ($93,657 annual, index 86.4). A level 5 aged care nurse earns $2,711.30 per week ($140,988 annual, index 130.1).
How that compares to the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, with a salary index of 48.2. Every nurse classification in the award pays more than that. Even the lowest enrolled nurse rate (under 21) is $976.20 per week, which is still 97% of the national minimum, but that rate applies only to juniors. Adult enrolled nurses start at $1,024.70 per week (index 49.2). So the award floor for nurses is comfortably above the national minimum.
What nurses actually earn
Award rates are just the floor. According to, the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192. That annualises to $113,984, giving a salary index of 105.2. That means the typical registered nurse earns about 5% more than the national line (index 100). Median hourly earnings are $57, well above the award minimum of around $32 for a level 1 nurse.
Why the gap? Many nurses work under enterprise agreements that pay above award, especially in public hospitals. Overtime, penalty rates for weekends and nights, and shift allowances also add to take-home pay. The median figure includes all full-time non-managerial nurses, so it reflects the mix of experience levels and sectors.
The salary index in context
The salary index compares yearly gross pay to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For nurses, the range is wide:
- Enrolled nurse award minimum: index 47–58
- Registered nurse level 1 award minimum: index 59–70
- Registered nurse median: index 105
- Registered nurse level 5 award maximum: index 130
This shows that while award minima are below the national line, the typical nurse earns above it. The index helps you see where a specific pay figure sits relative to the average full-time adult worker.
Other factors: super, tax, and location
Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of the base salary. For a nurse earning the median $113,984, that adds $13,678 in super. Income tax for 2026–27 is progressive: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, and so on, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A nurse on the median would pay roughly $25,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $89,000 take-home.
Location also matters. The salary index varies by state: for example, New South Wales sits at 101.2, Victoria at 98, and Western Australia at 106.9. Nurses in WA may earn more due to higher award rates or market conditions. See our states page for more.
Where to find more
If you're comparing nurse pay to other roles, check the industries page for health care and social assistance (index 97.8). For a deeper look at how the index works, see how the index works. And for other award comparisons, browse our pay guides.
The Nurses Award is just one piece of the puzzle. Actual nurse salaries in Australia depend on experience, employer, and location. But whether you're starting out or at the top of the scale, the award ensures a base that is well above the national minimum wage.
Questions people ask
What is the average nurse salary in Australia?
There is no single average because nurse pay varies by role, experience, and sector. The median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia. That annualises to about $113,984, giving a salary index of 105.2. However, award minima for enrolled nurses start around $1,140 per week (index 54.7) and for registered nurses can reach $2,707 per week (index 129.9) at the top of level 5.
How does the Nurses Award compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). Every classification in the Nurses Award pays well above that. For example, an enrolled nurse at pay point 1 earns $1,139.90 per week, which is 13% above the national minimum. A registered nurse level 1 at pay point 1 earns $1,219.50 per week (21% above). The award also includes higher rates for aged care nurses and for those with higher qualifications or experience.
What factors affect nurse pay in Australia?
Key factors include classification (enrolled vs registered nurse), pay point (years of experience), sector (aged care, hospital, community), and location. The Nurses Award sets minimums, but many nurses are covered by enterprise agreements that pay more. Overtime, penalty rates, and shift allowances also boost take-home pay. Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, and income tax follows the 2026–27 resident rates with a 2% Medicare levy.