Nurses are one of the highest earners in Australia with other packages and benefits added to their base pay. The salary varies and is dependent on certain factors like experience, location, and job description. This article will give you an insight into the nursing profession in Australia, what they earn, and some current openings for interested nurses looking to work in Australia.
Average Salary
The average salary for a registered nurse in Australia is approximately $82,942 per year or $42.53 per hour. Entry-level positions typically start at around $77,386 per year, while experienced nurses can earn up to $110,433 per year.
Salary by Experience Level
- Entry-Level: Approximately $31.39 per hour.
- Early Career: Around $33.87 per hour.
- Mid-Career: About $39.69 per hour.
- Late Career: Approximately $40.49 per hour.
- Experienced: Roughly $40.64 per hour.
Salary by State
Salaries can also differ by state. For example:
In South Australia, the highest salary for nurses can reach around $115,000, while the average is about $59,874.
In Victoria and Brisbane, salaries tend to be lower than the national average, while cities like Sydney and Melbourne often offer higher salaries.
Highest Paying Roles
Certain specialized nursing roles tend to offer higher salaries:
- Clinical Nurse or Midwife: Approximately $104,816 annually.
- Nurse Practitioner: Around $144,913 annually.
- Director of Nursing: Up to $186,382 annually
Some current Nursing job openings in Australia:
- Registered Nurse (General Medical & Surgical)
Location: Canberra, ACT
Salary: AUD 49 – 71 per hour
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
Location: Gosford & Central Coast, NSW
Salary: Casual positions available with significant employee discounts
- Registered Nurse (Medical Unit)
Location: Kurri Kurri, NSW
Salary: AUD 35.33 – 49.60 per hour + 11.5% superannuation
- Registered Nurse (Hervey Bay)
Location: Hervey Bay, QLD
Salary: AUD 51.33 – 65.85 per hour
- Registered Nurse (Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme)
Location: Wingham, NSW
Salary: AUD 35.33 – 49.60 per hour
- Senior Lecturer (Nursing)
Location: Toowoomba & Ipswich, QLD
Salary: AUD 132,287 – 152,045 per year + 17% superannuation
- Registered Nurse (Travel Nursing)
Location: Tasmania
Salary: AUD 60 – 80 per hour
- Registered Nurse (Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service)
Location: Cairns, QLD
Salary: Competitive salary package with professional development opportunities
- Registered Nurse (Darling Downs Hospital & Health Service)
Location: Toowoomba, QLD
Salary: AUD 82,753 – 106,144 per year
- Registered Nurse (Serco Asia Pacific)
Location: Richmond, NSW
Salary: Competitive salary package
- Registered Nurse (Emergency Department)
Location: Sydney, NSW
Salary: AUD 70,000 – 95,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Intensive Care Unit)
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Salary: AUD 75,000 – 100,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Salary: AUD 72,000 – 98,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Oncology)
Location: Perth, WA
Salary: AUD 73,000 – 99,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Pediatrics)
Location: Adelaide, SA
Salary: AUD 70,000 – 95,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Cardiology)
Location: Hobart, TAS
Salary: AUD 74,000 – 100,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Orthopedics)
Location: Darwin, NT
Salary: AUD 72,000 – 97,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
Location: Canberra, ACT
Salary: AUD 70,000 – 95,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Rehabilitation)
Location: Gold Coast, QLD
Salary: AUD 71,000 – 96,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Surgical)
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Salary: AUD 70,000 – 95,000 per year
- Registered Nurse (Dialysis)
Location: Geelong, VIC
Salary: AUD 73,000 – 98,000 per year
Although Australia does not pay as much as some EU countries like Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Denmark it offers other life and career-related perks that make it a top destination for nurses.
Nurses in Australia get to enjoy flexible work hours and a generous leave policy that leads to a healthy work-life balance, they also get to enjoy Australian cultural diversity, tax benefits, and a quality life as the country ranks high in the global quality of life indices.