Nurse salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index
See where the typical nurse salary lands on the Australian salary index, using award rates and median earnings from official sources like Fair Work Ombudsman and Jobs and Skills Au
The median full-time registered nurse salary of $2,192 per week places the occupation at an index of approximately 105, above the national average, though award rates vary by classification.
What does 'nurse salary' mean on the Australian salary index?
When we talk about a nurse salary in Australia, we're usually referring to the pay for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and sometimes midwives. But the figure can vary a lot depending on classification, experience, and whether the nurse works in a hospital, aged care, or the community. To make sense of where nurse pay sits nationally, we can use the Salary Index – a benchmark where 100 equals the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annualised to $108,352), based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings data.
Where the median nurse salary lands on the index
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses are $2,192. That annualises to about $113,984. On the index, that's roughly 105 – meaning the typical registered nurse earns about 5% more than the national average. That's above the Health Care and Social Assistance industry index of 97.8, which shows that nurses as a group earn a bit more than the industry average.
But the median is just one point. Many nurses are paid under enterprise agreements that lift pay above the award, while others – especially in aged care – may be closer to the minimum. The Nurses Award 2020 from the Fair Work Ombudsman sets the legal floor.
Award rates: from enrolled nurse to registered nurse level 5
The Nurses Award covers most nurses and midwives in Australia. It has detailed pay points. For example:
- Enrolled nurse (pay point 1): $30.00 per hour, $1,139.90 per week. Annualised: $59,275. Index: about 55.
- Registered nurse level 1 (pay point 1): $32.09 per hour, $1,219.50 per week. Annualised: $63,414. Index: about 58.5.
- Registered nurse level 2 (pay point 1): $39.59 per hour, $1,504.40 per week. Annualised: $78,229. Index: about 72.
- Registered nurse level 5 (grade 6): $71.23 per hour, $2,706.90 per week. Annualised: $140,759. Index: about 130.
These are minimum rates. Many nurses in public hospitals are covered by state-based enterprise agreements that pay more. For instance, a registered nurse in New South Wales might earn above the award due to a state award or agreement. The states page shows overall state indices, but nurse pay can differ.
How super and tax affect take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of base salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a nurse earning the median $113,984 would receive about $13,678 in super, making total remuneration around $127,662. Tax on that salary (using 2026–27 rates, excluding Medicare) would be roughly $27,547 plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $83,000. But that's a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
Why the index matters for nurses
The Salary Index helps compare nurse pay across industries and roles. For example, the Mining industry index is 154.7, while Retail trade is 75.9. Nursing sits somewhere in the middle, but senior nurses can reach index levels similar to professional services (index 114.7). If you're a nurse considering a move to a different state, remember that the ACT index is 109.9 and Tasmania is 88.6 – but those are overall averages, not nurse-specific. Local enterprise agreements can change the picture.
Where to find current nurse pay rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for the Nurses Award. These include all minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. If you're covered by an enterprise agreement, check that document instead. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail. For industry comparisons, see the industries page.
The bottom line
A nurse salary in Australia ranges from award minimums around $30 per hour to over $71 per hour for senior roles. The median registered nurse earns about $2,192 per week, which is above the national average. Whether you're starting out or a seasoned nurse, the index gives you a quick way to see where your pay stands relative to the rest of the workforce.
Questions people ask
What is the average nurse salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses are $2,192, according to Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025 data). That works out to about $113,984 a year before tax. However, actual pay varies by role, experience, and location. For example, a registered nurse level 1 under the Nurses Award starts at $32.09 per hour, while a level 5 can earn over $71 per hour.
How does nurse pay compare to the national average?
On the salary index where 100 is the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352), the median nurse salary of $113,984 gives an index of about 105. That means the typical nurse earns about 5% above the national average. But award-level nurses can be well below that, while senior nurses or those in private hospitals may earn significantly more.
What are the minimum award rates for nurses?
The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum pay for different classifications. For example, an enrolled nurse pay point 1 gets $30.00 per hour ($1,139.90 per week). A registered nurse level 1 pay point 1 gets $32.09 per hour ($1,219.50 per week). At the top, a registered nurse level 5 grade 6 gets $71.23 per hour ($2,706.90 per week). These rates are updated regularly; see the [pay guides](/blog) for current figures.