How much do nurses get paid in Australia?
Nursing is the backbone of Australia's healthcare sector — a sector experiencing record growth — and professional pay grades are of high interest to anyone investigating study.
The Government's Jobs and Skills data shows that, in the 20 years to 2020, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry recorded the strongest growth of any industry.
Does that mean there's money to be made? You bet.
The demand means that in March 2024, the ABS noted the sector recorded the highest through the year wage growth of 5.3%.
The average nurse salary in Australia is $87,750 but will vary from state to state and city to city. Most of all, it varies by experience.
As pay is often something VU students are thinking about when studying, we're giving a brief outlook of nursing salaries in Australia, with an emphasis on averaging the basic pay rates — especially for registered and enrolled nurses — and the states and cities that offer the most cash.
Which states pay the most? Which pays the least? Read on to find out.
How much are nurses paid in Tasmania?
$68,000 - $97,000.
Tasmania's pay rates can be on the lower end. Enrolled nurses will get between $68,000 and $81,000, and Grade 3 registered nurses get between $75,902 and $96,423. However, with lower cost of living than on the mainland and idyllic scenery, your money will go further.
As always, you'll be paid more as you progress through your career. The Tasmanian Department of Health notes that registered nurse (RN) salaries average $102,908 (depending on categorisation).
Which Tasmanian cities pay nurses the most?
Hobart: Registered nurse salaries in Hobart range from $65,000 to $80,000.
Launceston: Salaries for registered nurses in Launceston sit somewhere between $63,000 and $73,000 per year.
Source: Tasmanian Government Department of Health and Seek.
How much are nurses paid in Queensland?
$71,000 - $106,000.
In most cases, metropolitan nurses average higher salaries than those practicing in regional areas. As such, a nurse in regional Queensland isn't seeing figures as high as those nursing in the big smoke, but will still fetch a decent rate.
A registered nurse salary Queensland ranges from $79,058 to $106,144 per annum. An enrolled nurse salary in Queensland ranges from $71,234 to $82,599.
Remember, nursing often comes with overtime. One 2022 Reddit commenter noted their QLD nurse salary ranged from $120,000 to $140,000 in the years prior.
Queensland cities that pay nurses the highest are:
Brisbane: The capital city offers RNs salaries averaging $90,000 to $95,000.
Cairns: RNs in this tropical city receive an average of $85,000 to $95,000 per year.
Gold Coast: In the land of the budgie smugglers, a registered nurse earns on average between $85,000 and $90,000 annually.
Source: Queensland Health.
How much are nurses paid in South Australia?
$62,000 - $96,000.
A registered nurse in South Australia will earn between $70,535 and $96,242. Enrolled nurses should expect from $62,642 to $71,835. But you can always practise nursing in an industry that's paying more — mining, for instance, pays top dollar.
Which South Australian cities pay nurses the most?
Adelaide: Registered nurses in Adelaide typically earn between $68,000 and $80,000 annually.
Mount Gambier: Salaries for registered nurses in Mount Gambier range from $80,000 to $100,000 per year.
Source: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association.
How much are nurses paid in the Northern Territory?
$85,000 - $105,000.
When remote work is a factor, healthcare salaries often increase. As you'd expect, NT nurses receive better payment — especially when located in outback facilities. A nurse's annual wage might average between $85,000 and $105,000. Again, that is dependent on experience. The average NT nurse salary for N2 level sits at $104,792 according to the Northern Territory Government, and an enrolled nurse at N1 level earns between $67,000 and $77,000.
Which Northern Territory cities pay nurses the most?
Darwin: RNs can expect average salaries in the $72,000 to $85,000 range.
Alice Springs: The average wage for nurses in Australia's heart, Alice Springs, sits between $70,000 and $82,000.
Source: Northern Territory Government.
How much are nurses paid in Victoria?
$54,000 - $130,000.
Being metropolitan and Melbourne-centric, Victoria has attractive packages for nurses. However, different levels can earn vastly different amounts. An enrolled nurse salary in Victoria can start at $54,672 at 'Pay Point 1' and rise to $57,517. A registered nurse's annual salary in Victoria ranges between $58,489 and $129,833. When categorised as 'aged care', salaries are even more.
Which Victorian cities pay nurses the most?
Melbourne: On average, registered nurses in Australia earn between $75,000 and $85,000.
Geelong: Currently, roles in Geelong for RNs average between $67,000 and $95,000.
Ballarat: The pay scale range for nurses and working in and around Ballarat is around $75,000 to $80,000.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman.
How much are nurses paid in New South Wales?
$62,000 - $98,000.
New South Wales nurse salaries are up there with the best in the country. Enrolled nurses start at $62,914 and can get up to $70,454. Registered nurse salaries in NSW begin at $69,810 but can creep up to base rates of $98,014 after a few years on the job.
Yet, salaries often rise to combat the price of living. At the time of writing, Seek has nearly 1000 job listings for New South Wales registered nurses with salaries starting from $100,000. Not bad!
Which NSW cities pay nurses the most?
Sydney: Most registered nurse salaries in Sydney fall between $85,000 and $90,000.
Newcastle: According to Indeed, the average nurse salary in Newcastle is $39.74 per hour, or $78,646 annually.
Source: NSW Government.
With a clear path to six figure salaries and beyond, a role in one of Australia's fastest growing sectors, and the ability to crunch award rates in overtime, nursing is a career worth caring about.
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