Registered Nurses in Australia provide essential patient care across hospitals, clinics, aged care, and community health settings. This guide provides a general educational estimate of typical take-home pay based on average reported salaries.
$97,000
Average annual salary
$73,068
Est. annual take-home
SALARY RANGE EDUCATION
Entry-level Registered Nurses typically start in the range of $75,000–$85,000, with experienced nurses and Clinical Nurse Specialists earning $100,000–$120,000. Nurse Practitioners and senior management roles can exceed $130,000–$150,000. Penalty rates for night shifts, weekends, and public holidays can significantly boost total earnings beyond base salary.
Educational Take-Home Estimate — $97,000 Salary
Gross Annual Salary$97,000
Super Guarantee (12% — employer pays)+$11,640
Estimated Income Tax-$21,992
Medicare Levy (2%)-$1,940
Estimated Annual Take-Home$73,068
Estimated Weekly Take-Home$1,405
CAREER PROGRESSION EDUCATION
A typical nursing career path progresses from Registered Nurse to Clinical Nurse Specialist, then to Nurse Unit Manager or Nurse Practitioner (which requires additional postgraduate qualification). Specialisation in areas like ICU, emergency, or perioperative nursing often commands salary premiums due to demand and required expertise.
FACTORS AFFECTING REGISTERED NURSE SALARIES
- Location: Capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) typically offer 10–20% higher salaries than regional areas, partly offsetting higher living costs
- Experience level: Salary typically increases significantly with years of relevant experience and demonstrated track record
- Sector: Public vs private sector, and specific industry, can create meaningful salary variation
- Qualifications: Additional certifications, postgraduate study, or specialisations often command salary premiums
- Employer size: Larger organisations and multinational companies often pay above-market rates compared to small businesses