Nursing in Australia salary: state and industry differences explained
Understand nursing in Australia salary with state and industry comparisons. Median RN earnings, award rates, and how the salary index applies to nursing pay.
The median full-time registered nurse earns about $2,192 per week, giving an annualised salary index of roughly 105, above the national line of 100.
Nursing in Australia salary: where does it sit on the national line?
When you search for "nursing in australia salary", the first question is usually: how does it compare to the average Australian wage? The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are set at 100, which in May 2026 was $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year. For registered nurses, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,192, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via Jobs and Skills Australia). That gives an annualised figure of about $113,984 and an index of roughly 105 – meaning the typical nurse earns about 5% above the national line.
But that median hides a lot of variation. Nursing is a broad profession with many levels, sectors, and locations. The Salary Index helps you see where a particular role or state sits relative to that 100 mark.
State differences in nursing pay
Nurses work across all states and territories, but pay can vary significantly. The state salary indices from the ABS show that Western Australia (106.9) and the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) have the highest ordinary-time earnings, while Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) are below the national average. The distribution of nurses also differs: New South Wales employs 26.5% of all registered nurses, Victoria 28.1%, Queensland 22.5%, and Western Australia 7.5% (ABS Labour Force Survey, February 2026).
If you're a nurse in WA, you might expect a higher salary than the national median, partly because the state's mining-driven economy lifts wages across many industries. In Tasmania, the lower state index suggests pay may be closer to award minimums. However, nursing is heavily influenced by public sector awards and enterprise agreements, so the state index is a guide, not a guarantee. For a deeper look at how each state compares, see our states page.
Industry context: health care vs other sectors
Nursing sits within the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which has an overall salary index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. That might seem odd given the RN median is above 100, but the industry index includes many lower-paid roles like personal care assistants and aged care workers. Registered nurses are among the higher-paid occupations in this sector.
Compare that to Mining (index 154.7) or Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (114.7). Nursing doesn't reach those heights, but it offers stable, award-protected pay with clear progression. The industries page gives more detail on how different sectors compare.
Award rates: the floor for nursing pay
The Nurses Award 2020, set by the Fair Work Commission, provides minimum weekly rates for all classifications. As at 1 August 2026, a registered nurse at Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns at least $1,219.50 per week ($32.09/hr). At the other end, a Level 5 nurse in aged care (Grade 6) gets $2,711.30 per week ($71.23/hr). These are minimums – many nurses earn above award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
The award also covers enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, and midwives. For example, an enrolled nurse (Level 1 Pay Point 1) has a minimum of $1,139.90 per week ($30.00/hr). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that show all current rates, including allowances and penalty rates.
How super and tax affect take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. That means if you earn the median RN salary of $113,984, your employer pays an extra $13,678 into your super fund. For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates start at nil for the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, and so on. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So a nurse earning $113,984 would pay roughly $24,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $90,000 take-home. That's a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.
Putting it all together
When you look at "nursing in australia salary", the headline figure is a median of $2,192 per week, index 105. But the real answer depends on where you work, your level, and your sector. A new graduate on award rates in Tasmania will earn less than an experienced clinical nurse specialist in a Perth private hospital. The how the index works page explains how we calculate these benchmarks, and the topics page covers other occupations.
Nursing remains a solid, above-average career in Australia, with clear award pathways and strong demand. The salary index gives you a quick way to see where any nursing role sits against the national line.
Questions people ask
What is the average nursing salary in Australia?
The median full-time registered nurse earns $2,192 per week, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That annualises to about $113,984, giving a salary index of roughly 105 – above the national line of 100 ($108,352). However, actual pay depends on classification, experience, location, and sector.
How does nursing pay compare between states?
State salary indices vary: WA (106.9) and ACT (109.9) are above the national average, while TAS (88.6) and SA (94.6) are lower. Nursing pay often follows these patterns, but public sector awards and enterprise agreements can differ. For example, NSW has the largest share of nurses (26.5%) and its state index is 101.2.
What are the minimum award rates for nurses in Australia?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, a registered nurse at Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns a minimum of $1,219.50 per week ($32.09/hr). At the top of Level 5 (aged care), the minimum is $2,711.30 per week ($71.35/hr). These rates are updated periodically by the Fair Work Commission.