What Is a Pediatric Nurse Salary in Australia? A Guide to Pay and Awards
Wondering about a pediatric nurse salary in Australia? We explain award rates, typical earnings, and how pay compares to the national salary index.
Paediatric nurse pay is not centrally reported; award rates for registered nurses start at an index of around 58, but actual earnings often exceed the national line of 100.
What Does 'Pediatric Nurse Salary' Mean in Australia?
When you search for a 'pediatric nurse salary' (the US spelling often used in job ads), you're really asking what a registered nurse specialising in children's nursing can expect to earn. In Australia, the occupation is officially called Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) under ANZSCO code 254425. Pay for this role isn't as straightforward as a single number because there's no published median salary from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Jobs and Skills Australia. Instead, we have to piece together clues from award rates, industry averages, and common employment arrangements.
Award Rates: The Legal Minimum
The starting point for any paediatric nurse salary is the Nurses Award 2020. This modern award sets minimum hourly rates for registered nurses based on classification level and experience. As of August 2026, a Registered Nurse at Level 1, pay point 1 earns $32.09 per hour. That annualises to about $63,400 for a 38-hour week (before tax and super). At the other end of the award, a Level 4, grade 2 nurse earns $52.50 per hour, or roughly $103,740 per year.
These are minimums. Most paediatric nurses working in public hospitals are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above award. For example, a Level 1 nurse in a NSW public hospital might start at $35–$38 per hour, depending on the agreement. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday (time-and-a-half), Sunday (double time), and public holidays (double time and a half), which can lift take-home pay significantly.
How Paediatric Nurse Pay Compares to the National Line
Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The health care and social assistance industry has an index of 97.8, meaning the average worker in that industry earns about $106,000. Paediatric nurses are part of that industry, so a typical salary might sit near that mark, especially for experienced nurses.
But award-only pay is lower. A Level 1 nurse at pay point 1 has an index of about 58.5. That's well below the national line. However, few nurses stay at the minimum for long. With experience, shift penalties, and progression to Level 2 or 3, many paediatric nurses reach an index of 90–100. For instance, a Level 3, pay point 4 nurse on award rates earns $45.27 per hour, annualising to $89,500 (index 82.6). With typical penalties and overtime, actual earnings can exceed $100,000.
State Differences and Where You Work
Your paediatric nurse salary also depends on which state you work in. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. Public hospital wages are often set by state-based enterprise agreements, so a nurse in WA might earn 10–15% more than one in Tasmania for the same role. Private hospitals and clinics may pay differently, sometimes offering higher base rates but fewer penalties.
Superannuation and Tax
Employers must pay superannuation at 12% from 1 July 2026. On a $80,000 salary, that's an extra $9,600 paid into your super fund. For tax, a resident earning $80,000 would pay about $16,867 in income tax plus the 2% Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of roughly $61,600. The how the index works page explains how we calculate these figures.
Reading a Job Ad: What to Look For
When comparing offers, don't just look at the base salary. Check whether the role is covered by an enterprise agreement or the award. Look for allowances (e.g., for shift work, on-call, or specialist qualifications). Ask about penalty rates and whether overtime is common. A job ad might say "$75,000–$95,000 plus super and penalties". That range could mean a take-home of $85,000–$110,000 after penalties, depending on your roster.
Also consider the classification. A Level 2 nurse typically has more responsibility and higher pay than a Level 1. Some ads use titles like "Clinical Nurse Specialist" or "Nurse Educator" which map to higher award levels. The industries page shows that health care overall has an index of 97.8, but specialisations like critical care or paediatrics may command a premium.
Why No Official Median?
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for ANZSCO 6-digit occupations like Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) because the sample size is too small. That means we can't point to a single 'average' paediatric nurse salary. Instead, use the award rates as a floor and the industry average as a guide. Experienced paediatric nurses in public hospitals often earn between $90,000 and $110,000, putting them close to or above the national line.
Summary
A paediatric nurse salary in Australia is not a fixed number. Award minimums start at around $63,400 (index 58.5), but most nurses earn more through enterprise agreements, penalties, and experience. The health care industry average index of 97.8 suggests typical earnings near $106,000. When comparing job offers, look beyond the base rate and consider the total package including super, penalties, and allowances. For more context on how pay compares across Australia, see the Salary Index.
Questions people ask
What is the average pediatric nurse salary in Australia?
There is no publicly available average salary specifically for paediatric nurses. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not report median earnings for this specialisation. However, registered nurses across all fields had median weekly earnings of about $1,900 in 2025, which annualises to roughly $99,000 (index 91). Paediatric nurses likely fall in a similar range, though award rates start lower.
How does the Nurses Award 2020 affect pediatric nurse pay?
The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum wages for most nurses not covered by an enterprise agreement. For a registered nurse at Level 1, pay point 1, the minimum hourly rate is $32.09 (as of August 2026). That works out to about $63,400 a year for a 38-hour week. Higher classifications and experience increase the minimum. Many employers pay above award, especially in public hospitals.
Do pediatric nurses earn more than the national average?
It depends on experience and location. The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark is $108,352 (index 100). A paediatric nurse at the top of the RN Level 4 award grade 2 would earn about $103,740 (index 95.7), slightly below the national line. But with penalty rates, overtime, or an enterprise agreement, many paediatric nurses earn above the national average. The health care industry average index is 97.8, close to the benchmark.