Travel Nurse Salary: What You Can Expect in Australia

What is a travel nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who takes temporary assignments, often through a nursing agency, to fill short-term staffing gaps in hospitals, clinics, or aged care facilities. These assignments can last from a few weeks to several months and may be in different cities or remote areas. Travel nursing is common in Australia, especially in rural and regional locations where demand for nurses is high.

Because travel nurses are not permanent employees of a single health service, their pay is typically set by contract rather than a standard award classification. However, the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) provides the legal minimum floor for all nurses covered by the award, including those on casual or fixed-term engagements.

Travel nurse salary and the Nurses Award

The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman show the minimum rates for registered nurses under the Nurses Award. As of August 2026, an RN Level 1 pay point 1 earns $32.09 per hour, while an RN Level 1 pay point 8 (experienced) earns $38.57 per hour. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual nurses receive a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate.

Travel nurses are almost always paid above these award minima. Agencies compete for staff, especially in specialties like emergency, intensive care, or mental health. Typical travel nurse hourly rates range from $50 to $70, and can go higher for remote postings or during peak demand. Some contracts also include penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, which can push effective hourly pay to $75 or more.

It is important to note that the award does not have a separate classification for "travel nurse." Instead, your pay will be based on your RN level and any applicable allowances. Always check your contract against the award to ensure you are receiving at least the minimum entitlements.

Gross pay, super, and tax

Let’s look at an example. Suppose a travel nurse earns $60 per hour and works 38 hours per week (standard full-time hours). That gives a weekly gross of $2,280. Annualised (52 weeks), that is $118,560.

Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. On $118,560, that would be $14,227.20 contributed to super each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

Tax: Using 2026–27 resident tax rates with the tax-free threshold:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
• $45,001–$135,000: 30% on the excess over $45,000
• $135,001–$190,000: 37% on the excess over $135,000
• Above $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For $118,560, the tax (excluding Medicare) would be roughly $28,788, and Medicare $2,371, leaving a take-home of about $87,401. This is an estimate; actual tax depends on deductions, HELP loans, and other factors.

Where does travel nurse salary sits on the index

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which in May 2026 was $1,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year. Our example travel nurse earning $118,560 has an index of about 109. That is above the national line and well above the health care and social assistance industry average (index 97.8).

However, many travel nurses earn more, especially with penalties. A nurse working regular weekends could see an index of 120 or higher. Conversely, a travel nurse on a lower contract might earn closer to the award rate, around index 90–95. The key is that travel nursing offers potential for above-average pay, but it is not guaranteed.

How to find travel nurse pay rates

Because travel nurse pay is not standardised, you need to compare offers. Start with the pay guides for the Nurses Award to know the minimum. Then look at agency contracts and ask about:

• Base hourly rate
• Penalty rates (Saturday, Sunday, public holidays)
• Allowances (travel, accommodation, living away from home)
• Superannuation (must be at least 12%)

Location matters. The states page shows that average earnings vary: WA index 106.9, NSW 101.2, VIC 98, TAS 88.6. Remote area allowances can boost pay significantly.

Finally, remember that the industries page lists health care and social assistance at index 97.8, but travel nurses often exceed that due to agency premiums and penalties. Use the Salary Index to benchmark any offer against the national line.

Key takeaways

• Travel nurse salary is not a fixed figure; it depends on your RN level, agency, location, and contract terms.
• The Nurses Award sets the minimum, but most travel nurses earn well above it.
• Gross pay can be indexed against the national average to see where you stand.
• Super and tax follow standard rules; factor them into your net income estimate.
• Always read your contract and compare with the award to ensure you are paid correctly.