Registered nurse salary in Australia: what could you be earning?
The salary of a registered nurse in Australia is routinely reviewed by the government, with a large scope to increase earnings depending on your experience and location.
Registered nurses, often branded as the backbone of the healthcare industry, provide care and medical support, liaising with other healthcare professionals to determine the best patient outcomes.
How much can a registered nurse expect to earn in Australia?
Registered nurses in Australia are paid in line with the Nurses Award, with pay rate changes coming into effect from the 1st July each year. The current award, published in October 2024, stipulates what a registered nurse can expect to earn up until 1st July 2025.
The average registered nurse in Australia working as a permanent employee earns a salary of $86,861 annually, or between $1,124.80 and $2496.80 per week, before tax.
A tax resident of Australia earning this amount will be taxed at a 30% rate, resulting in take a yearly take home pay of $68,164.18. You can work out your tax withheld using this simple tax calculator
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Registered nurse with a 4-year degree
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Registered nurse with a masters degree
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A registered nurse working on a casual contract will receive a higher hourly rate to account for the absence of sick and annual leave. The extra amount on top is called casual loading. In a casual role, a registered nurse per hour will earn:
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Registered nurse with a 4-year degree
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Registered nurse with a masters degree
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Casual employees are privy to penalty rates, that will depend on when they work. The hourly rate is different depending on the time you work. Often, providers will have various rates for working an AM, PM and night shift, as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Each level of registered nurse includes various pay points. A full breakdown of the award can be found on the Fair Work Commission website.
What registered nurse experience do you need for each level?
Registered nurse grades go from level one to level five. There are eight pay points in level one, four in levels two and three, three in level four, and six in level five. This can make working out your pay grade slightly confusing!
Generally, the more experience you get, the higher you sit on the pay scale. If you’re employed under the Nurses Award 2010, a years’ experience equates to 1786 hours of fulfilled paid work. This doesn’t have to happen on your anniversary date – if you meet the requirement, your pay point will increase. Pay rise progression must also consider the acquisition of additional skills and knowledge. Further information can be found on the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federations website.
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Registered nurse average salary by Australian state
Each of the seven Australian states and one territory have their own governing body who determine pay scales within their geographical boundaries. On average, registered nurses located across the country will receive the following annual salary:
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First year registered nurse
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5th year registered nurse
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This should be used as a guide only. Income can fluctuate depending on overtime, additional allowances and skill set.
Additional allowances for registered nurses
The healthcare industry has identified the dedication and care that registered nurses provide and has included further payments that a registered nurse can receive on top of their weekly or monthly salary. These allowances include:
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$0.32 per shift, up to a maximum of $1.49 per week
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$16.20 for the first meal and $14.60 for an extra meal after every 4 hours
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On call allowance – Monday to Friday
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$26.43 for each on call period of up to 24 hours
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On call allowance – Saturday
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$39.82 for each on call period of up to 24 hours
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On call allowance – Sunday, public holidays and rostered days off
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$46.45 for each on call period of up to 24 hours
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Reimbursement for all reasonably incurred expenses in respect to fares, meals and accommodation on production of receipted accounts or other evidence acceptable to the employer. There is no entitlement to reimbursement for expenses which exceed the mode of transport, meals or the standard of accommodation agreed with the employer.
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$1.23 per shift up to a maximum of $6.24 per week
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A healthcare agency may choose to add further allowances on top to benefit the employee.
Upskilling as a registered nurse to increase your salary
If you wish to further your skills in the healthcare industry, once you have acquired your registered nurse qualification (a Bachelor of Nursing degree) and relevant experience, your career in healthcare knows no bounds. A postgraduate degree in Midwifery can take you to the position of a registered midwife.
You could also continue to advance your nursing skills to become a nurse practitioner. A nurse practitioner will:
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Treat a variety of acute and chronic health conditions
- Work autonomously to diagnose and treat patients
- Provide high quality, patient centred care.
To become a nurse practitioner, you would need a minimum of 21 years’ experience within Australia, and you need to be endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. A minimum weekly salary of a 1st year nurse practitioner starts at $1,991.00, with a casual hourly rate of $104.78.
Want to explore a career as a registered nurse?
Pulse Staffing are a longstanding healthcare recruitment agency, sourcing healthcare professionals for a multitude of specialties across Australia. To find out more about the registered nurse roles that we offer and how we can further your career prospects, speak to our team today.
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