Nurses Salary in Australia: What a Job Ad Really Tells You

What does ‘nurses salary’ mean on a job ad?

When you search for a nursing job in Australia, the advertised pay can look like a code. Is it the award rate? A market rate? Does it include super? The keyword nurses salary covers everything from the legal minimum to the median full-time earner. To make sense of an offer, you need to place it against the national line – the Salary Index.

The index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A nurses salary of $2,192 a week (the median for full-time registered nurses) gives an index of 105. That’s above average. But not every nurse earns that.

Median nurses salary: the headline figure

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via Jobs and Skills Australia), the median full-time registered nurse earns $2,192 per week before tax. That’s $57 an hour. On the index, that’s 105 – five points above the national line. For a single person with no HELP debt, after tax and Medicare levy (2026–27 rates) that’s roughly $1,580 a week, or $82,200 a year.

But that median hides a wide range. The award minimum for a newly qualified registered nurse (Level 1 Pay Point 1) is $1,219.50 a week, index 58.5. A senior nurse at Level 5 Grade 6 can earn $2,706.90 a week, index 130. So a job ad might offer anywhere from $32 to $71 an hour before penalties.

Award rates: the floor

The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum pay for most private-sector nurses. Public hospital nurses are often covered by state enterprise agreements that pay more. The award has five registered nurse levels, each with multiple pay points. For example:

• Registered Nurse Level 1, Pay Point 1: $32.09/hr, $1,219.50/week
• Registered Nurse Level 2, Pay Point 1: $39.59/hr, $1,504.40/week
• Registered Nurse Level 3, Pay Point 1: $42.93/hr, $1,631.20/week
• Registered Nurse Level 4, Grade 1: $48.99/hr, $1,861.70/week
• Registered Nurse Level 5, Grade 1: $49.44/hr, $1,878.60/week

These rates are from 1 August 2026. They include the 4.75% increase from the 2026 Annual Wage Review. If a job ad quotes a rate below these, it’s likely illegal. If it quotes above, you’re getting a market premium.

Reading a job ad: what to look for

A typical ad might say: “Registered Nurse Level 1 – $35–$40 per hour + super + penalties.” Compare that to the award minimum of $32.09. The offer is above award, which is common. But check whether the rate is for a casual or permanent role. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, so $32.09 becomes $40.11. If the ad says $35 casual, that’s actually below the loaded rate.

Also check the classification. “Level 1” can mean anything from a new graduate to a nurse with several years’ experience. The award has eight pay points within Level 1, from $32.09 to $38.57. If you have experience, you should be placed at a higher pay point.

How super and tax affect the nurses salary

Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of your gross salary (from 1 July 2026). So a $70,000 salary costs the employer $78,400 including super. Your take-home depends on tax. Using 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare levy surcharge and HELP):

• On $70,000: tax about $12,067, Medicare $1,400, net ~$56,533
• On $100,000: tax about $22,567, Medicare $2,000, net ~$75,433
• On $113,984 (median): tax about $27,295, Medicare $2,280, net ~$84,409

These are rough. Salary sacrifice (e.g., for a car or super) can reduce tax. The Medicare levy surcharge applies if you don’t have private hospital cover and earn over $93,000 (single).

Comparing offers across states

The Salary Index also shows state benchmarks. For example, New South Wales has an index of 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9, and the ACT 109.9. A nurses salary of $2,192 a week is above the NSW average but below the ACT average. If you’re comparing a job in Sydney versus Perth, the cost of living and state tax differences matter – but the index gives you a quick relativity check.

Where nurses salary fits in the health industry

The health care and social assistance industry as a whole has an index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. But nursing sits above that, at 105. That’s because nurses are in high demand, and the median reflects experienced full-time workers. Other health roles, like aged care workers, often earn less. The industries page shows how different sectors compare.

What if the job ad doesn’t state a classification?

Some ads just say “Registered Nurse” with a rate. You can use the award to work out the minimum. For example, if the rate is $45 an hour, that’s above Level 2 Pay Point 1 ($39.59) but below Level 3 Pay Point 1 ($42.93). You might be underclassified. Ask the employer which level and pay point applies. The pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman list all current award rates.

Final thought: index is your anchor

When you see a nurses salary in a job ad, divide the annualised figure by $108,352 and multiply by 100. That’s your index. If it’s below 100, you’re below the national ordinary-time average. If it’s above, you’re doing better than the typical full-time worker. The median nurse is at 105. A graduate at award minimum is at 58.5. Both are legitimate, but the index helps you see where you stand.

For more on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. And if you’re comparing roles across different states or industries, the states and topics pages have more detail.