Registered Nurse Salary Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index
See how the registered nurse salary Australia compares to national benchmarks. Award rates, median earnings, and salary index explained.
The median full-time registered nurse salary in Australia is around $113,984 per year, placing it at an index of approximately 105 on the national scale.
Registered nurse salary Australia: where it sits on the salary index
The keyword "registered nurse salary Australia" often leads people to wonder how nursing pay compares with other occupations and the national average. The Salary Index provides a clear benchmark: an index of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A figure above 100 means above-average pay; below 100 means below-average.
Registered nurses in Australia are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], which sets minimum rates for classifications from Level 1 to Level 5. The award also covers enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, and nurse practitioners. As of August 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a registered nurse at Level 1 Pay Point 1 is $1,219.50 ($32.09 per hour). At the top of the award, a Level 5 Grade 6 registered nurse earns $2,706.90 per week ($71.23 per hour). These award rates are legal minimums; many nurses, especially in public hospitals or with specialist qualifications, earn above award.
Median earnings and the salary index
According to Jobs and Skills Australia (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192. Annualised (52 weeks), that is $113,984. Comparing this to the national line:
- Index = ($113,984 ÷ $108,352) × 100 ≈ 105.2
This means the typical full-time registered nurse earns about 5% more than the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark. It places nursing above the Health Care and Social Assistance industry average index of 97.8, reflecting the specialised skill and demand for the profession.
State and territory comparisons
Salaries vary by state. The states page shows indices for each jurisdiction. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). Registered nurses in the ACT or Western Australia (index 106.9) may earn more than those in Tasmania or South Australia (index 94.6). Award rates are national, but enterprise agreements and public sector wages differ.
Superannuation and tax
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of salary. For a nurse earning $113,984, that adds $13,678 to retirement savings. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so most nurses will have the full 12% applied.
For tax, using 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare levy surcharge and HELP):
- Tax-free threshold: $0–$18,200
- 15% on income $18,201–$45,000
- 30% on income $45,001–$135,000
- 37% on income $135,001–$190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For $113,984, estimated tax is about $28,790, leaving around $85,194 net. This is a rough estimate; actual take-home depends on deductions, HELP repayments, and salary sacrifice.
Award rates in detail
The Nurses Award 2020 has multiple pay points. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 4 earns $1,309.00 per week ($34.45 per hour). A Level 3 Pay Point 2 earns $1,661.10 per week ($43.71 per hour). Penalty rates apply for Saturday (time-and-a-half), Sunday (double time), and public holidays (double time and a half). These rates are summarised in the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman.
How the index helps
The salary index is a tool to see where a role sits relative to the national line. For registered nurses, the median index of 105 shows solid above-average earnings, but it's important to remember that many nurses work part-time (only 56% work full-time, per Jobs and Skills Australia). Part-time and casual rates are pro-rata, often with casual loading of 25% (as per the national minimum wage example of $33.05 per hour for casuals).
For more context, see the industries page where Health Care and Social Assistance sits at 97.8, or explore topics related to healthcare pay. The Salary Index methodology explains how we calculate these figures.
In summary, a registered nurse salary in Australia typically exceeds the national average, with award minima providing a solid floor and median earnings reflecting strong demand. The salary index of around 105 confirms nursing as a well-compensated profession within the Australian labour market.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a registered nurse in Australia under the award?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time registered nurse at Level 1 Pay Point 1 is $1,219.50 ($32.09 per hour) as of August 2026. Rates increase with classification and pay point, up to Level 5 Grade 6 at $2,706.90 per week ($71.23 per hour). These are legal minimums; many employers pay above award.
How does the registered nurse salary compare to the national average?
The median full-time registered nurse earns about $2,192 per week ($113,984 annually), which is above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352). This gives a salary index of approximately 105, meaning the typical nurse earns 5% more than the national line.
What is the take-home pay for a registered nurse after tax and super?
Take-home pay depends on the exact salary and tax situation. For a nurse earning the median $113,984, estimated annual tax (2026–27 rates, including 2% Medicare levy) is about $28,790, leaving around $85,194 net. Superannuation of 12% ($13,678) is additional to salary and not included in take-home pay. These figures exclude HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.