Nurse anesthetist salary in Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage

What does "nurse anesthetist salary" mean in Australia?

In Australia, the term "nurse anesthetist" is not a standard occupational classification. Instead, two distinct roles exist: medical specialists called anaesthetists (ANZSCO 2532) and registered nurses who work in anaesthesia or perioperative settings. The pay for each is governed by different industrial instruments. This article explains how the salary index and award minima apply to both, using the keyword "nurse anesthetist salary" as a lens.

Anaesthetists: medical specialists

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, anaesthetists earn a median weekly full-time earnings of $8,293 before tax. That annualises to $431,236, giving a salary index of 398 (where 100 is the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352). Their median hourly earnings are $218, and they work an average of 46 hours per week. These figures are far above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Anaesthetists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for junior doctors and specialists, but the median earnings reflect market rates well above the award.

Nurses in anaesthesia: award rates

Nurses who assist in anaesthesia are classified under the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034]. For example, a registered nurse at Level 1, Pay Point 1 earns a minimum weekly rate of $1,219.50 for 38 hours, or $32.09 per hour. That annualises to $63,414, an index of 58.5. At the top of Level 1 (Pay Point 8), the rate is $1,465.50 per week ($38.57/hr), annualised $76,206, index 70.3. For a registered nurse Level 5 Grade 6, the minimum is $2,706.90 per week ($71.23/hr), annualised $140,759, index 130. These rates are minimums; actual pay may be higher due to enterprise agreements or market conditions.

Comparing to the national line

The national line (index 100) is $108,352 per year. A nurse at entry-level award floor is well below that, while a senior nurse can exceed it. Anaesthetists, as medical specialists, are far above. The salary index helps readers see where a pay figure sits relative to the average full-time worker.

State and industry context

The salary index varies by state: NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, WA 106.9, TAS 88.6, NT 88.6, ACT 109.9. For health care and social assistance, the industry index is 97.8, close to the national average. This means that even within the same occupation, location matters.

Awards versus 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, index 48.2). The Nurses Award rates start at $27.65 for a 1st-year assistant in nursing, above the minimum. For a registered nurse, the lowest pay point is $32.09, well above the minimum. The award provides a floor, but many nurses earn more under enterprise agreements. Anaesthetists, as medical practitioners, have a different award with higher minima for registrars and specialists.

Take-home pay considerations

Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. Tax rates for 2026-27: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above, plus 2% Medicare levy. For a nurse earning $63,414, tax would be about $11,000, leaving around $52,000 after tax and Medicare. For an anaesthetist earning $431,236, tax would be about $170,000, leaving around $261,000. These are estimates ignoring HELP, etc.

Conclusion

The term "nurse anesthetist salary" is not straightforward in Australia. For medical anaesthetists, the salary index is around 398. For nurses in anaesthesia, the index ranges from about 58 to 130 depending on level. The award minima provide a floor above the national minimum wage, but actual earnings vary. Use the salary index to compare any pay figure to the national line.

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