Nursing salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

Nursing salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

When people ask about nursing salary in Australia, they usually want to know how much a registered nurse earns and whether that pay is fair compared to other jobs. The short answer is that the typical full-time registered nurse earns a little above the national average, but the range is wide – from award minimums well below the line to senior roles well above it.

The national pay line and the Salary Index

The Salary Index uses a baseline of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year (from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Anything above 100 means the occupation or group earns more than the typical full-time worker; below 100 means less. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and the health care and social assistance industry as a whole is at index 97.8 – just under the line.

Where nursing sits on the index

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median weekly earnings for full-time registered nurses (non-managerial, adult rate) is $2,192. That annualises to $113,984, giving an index of about 105. So a typical registered nurse earns roughly 5% more than the national line. That’s higher than the health industry average (97.8) and well above retail (75.9) or accommodation and food (72.5).

But that median hides a big spread. The Nurses Award 2020, set by the Fair Work Commission, lays out minimum weekly rates for different classifications. For example:

• Registered nurse Level 1, Pay Point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($63,414 annual, index ~58.5)
• Registered nurse Level 2, Pay Point 1: $1,504.40 per week ($78,229 annual, index ~72.2)
• Registered nurse Level 5, Grade 6: $2,706.90 per week ($140,759 annual, index ~130)

These are minimums. Many nurses, especially in public hospitals or under enterprise agreements, earn more. The median figure of $2,192 suggests that most experienced nurses are above Level 2 but below the top grades.

What the award covers

The Nurses Award covers employers in the health industry and their nursing employees. It includes registered nurses, enrolled nurses, aged care nurses, and others. The award rates are updated regularly; the current version includes amendments up to 1 August 2026. For the latest minimums, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How experience and location change the picture

Nursing pay isn’t just about classification. Where you work matters. Public hospitals in states like New South Wales and Victoria often have their own awards or agreements that can pay above the federal minimum. The Salary Index shows state differences: for example, NSW has an index of 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6. That reflects overall earnings, but nursing pay tends to follow similar patterns – higher in states with stronger economies and higher cost of living.

Experience also pushes you up the pay points. An RN Level 1 with eight years of experience reaches Pay Point 8 ($1,465.50/week, index ~70). Moving to Level 2 or 3 brings bigger jumps. Specialisation – like critical care, midwifery, or nurse practitioner roles – can lift pay further.

Superannuation and tax

Employers must pay superannuation at 12% from 1 July 2026 on top of base salary. So a nurse earning the median $113,984 would have about $13,678 added to super, making total remuneration around $127,662. For tax, using 2026–27 rates, a resident earning $113,984 would pay roughly $27,067 in income tax plus $2,280 Medicare levy (2%), leaving about $84,637 take-home. That’s before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

Comparing to other roles

Nursing sits above the health care industry average (97.8) but below professions like mining (154.7) or professional services (114.7). It’s similar to education and training (105.5). Within nursing, enrolled nurses earn less – the award minimum for an enrolled nurse Level 1 is around $1,050 per week (index ~50).

Using the Salary Index for your own pay

If you’re a nurse or considering nursing, you can use the index to benchmark your pay. Take your annual gross ordinary-time earnings (excluding overtime, bonuses, and super) and divide by $108,352, then multiply by 100. That’s your index number. Compare it to the median of 105 or to other occupations on our industries page.

For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. You can also explore pay by states or topics.

The bottom line

Nursing salary in Australia is above the national line for the typical full-time registered nurse, but entry-level pay is low. The award system provides a clear ladder, and experience, location, and specialisation all push pay higher. The Salary Index helps you see where any nursing role sits against the national benchmark – a useful tool whether you’re negotiating a raise or choosing a career path.