Nurses Salary Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Explained
Understand nurses salary Australia including median earnings, award minimums, superannuation, and tax. See how pay compares to the national index.
The median full-time registered nurse earns $2,192 per week, giving a salary index of about 105, slightly above the national line of 100.
Nurses salary Australia: what the numbers say
When you search for nurses salary australia, the first thing to understand is that pay varies widely by role, experience, and where you work. The most reliable benchmark comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia: the median full-time weekly earnings for a registered nurse is $2,192. That works out to about $113,984 a year before tax. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, that median nurse sits at index 105 – slightly above the national line.
But median is just the middle. The award system sets the legal minimum, and many nurses earn more through enterprise agreements or state public sector wages.
Award minimums for registered nurses
The Nurses Award 2020 from the Fair Work Ombudsman covers most private-sector nurses. Minimum weekly rates for a full-time registered nurse start at $1,219.50 (Level 1, Pay Point 1) and go up to $2,711.30 (Level 5, Grade 6). That’s an hourly range from $32.09 to $71.35. For aged care, the award has separate, higher rates: a Level 1 nurse in their first year gets $1,571.60 per week ($41.36 per hour).
These award rates are the floor. They rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the national minimum wage increase. Compare that to the national minimum wage itself: $26.44 per hour, index 48.2. Even the lowest award nurse earns well above that.
How nurses compare across states and industries
Where you work matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. A nurse in Canberra may earn more than one in Hobart, though public sector pay scales also differ. The industries page shows health care and social assistance sits at index 97.8 – slightly below the national average. But nursing is a large occupation within that industry, and the median nurse actually beats the industry benchmark.
Gross pay, super, and tax
Let’s break down what a nurse on the median $113,984 actually takes home. First, superannuation: from 1 July 2026, the employer must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund. That adds $13,678 per year, making total remuneration $127,662. The super is taxed at 15% inside the fund, not your marginal rate.
Then income tax. Using 2026–27 resident rates: tax on $113,984 gives $26,467 plus $2,280 Medicare levy (2%), total $28,747. Take-home pay: $85,237 per year, or $1,639 per week. That’s about 72% of gross. If you salary sacrifice or have HELP debt, the numbers shift.
Where to find current pay rates
For the latest award rates, check the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman site. They publish PDFs with all classifications, allowances, and penalty rates. Enterprise agreements often pay more, so ask your employer or union.
The bottom line
A typical registered nurse in Australia earns above the national average, with a salary index around 105. But the range is wide: from award minimums around $63,000 a year to senior roles over $140,000. Super adds 12%, and tax takes about a quarter. For a personalised estimate, use the how the index works page to compare your own pay.
FAQs
What is the average nurses salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192, which annualises to about $113,984 before tax. This gives a salary index of approximately 105, meaning the typical nurse earns 5% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352. However, actual pay varies by classification, experience, and location.
How does superannuation affect a nurse's total remuneration?
Employers must contribute superannuation at 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a nurse earning the median $113,984, the employer super contribution would be about $13,678 per year, making total remuneration around $127,662. Super is paid on top of gross wages and is taxed at 15% within the fund.
What tax does a registered nurse pay on their salary?
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates, a nurse earning the median $113,984 would pay approximately $26,467 in income tax plus $2,280 Medicare levy (2%), for a total of $28,747. This leaves an estimated take-home pay of about $85,237 per year, or $1,639 per week. Tax may be lower if salary sacrificing or claiming deductions.
Questions people ask
What is the average nurses salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses is $2,192, which annualises to about $113,984 before tax. This gives a salary index of approximately 105, meaning the typical nurse earns 5% above the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $108,352. However, actual pay varies by classification, experience, and location.
How does superannuation affect a nurse's total remuneration?
Employers must contribute superannuation at 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a nurse earning the median $113,984, the employer super contribution would be about $13,678 per year, making total remuneration around $127,662. Super is paid on top of gross wages and is taxed at 15% within the fund.
What tax does a registered nurse pay on their salary?
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates, a nurse earning the median $113,984 would pay approximately $26,467 in income tax plus $2,280 Medicare levy (2%), for a total of $28,747. This leaves an estimated take-home pay of about $85,237 per year, or $1,639 per week. Tax may be lower if salary sacrificing or claiming deductions.