Nurse Salaries in Australia in 2023

The average Nurse Salary in Australia is $79.898 AUD and is representative of the absolute average including those at the start of their careers as well as those more experienced nursing professionals. Nursing Salaries in Australia vary based on geographic location, experience, role and qualifications.

According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook website, the median annual salary for registered nurses in Australia was $75,845 as of 2020. This salary can vary depending on the level of experience of the nurse, with entry-level nurses earning less and more experienced nurses earning more. Additionally, salaries can vary by state with some states offering higher salaries due to differences in cost of living and demand for nurses.

Median annual salaries for different types of nurses in Australia

• Enrolled Nurses: $53,200 – $64,000
• Registered Nurses: $70,000 – $85,000
• Nurse Practitioners: $110,000 – $130,000

Salaries for nurses in Australia can be influenced by the industrial award or enterprise agreement that applies to their employment, as well as factors such as overtime, shift allowances and penalty rates for working on weekends or public holidays. If you are a Nurse thinking of Immigrating to Australia for a higher salary take a Free Visa Assessment for your options.

Nursing salaries by state in Australia

Higher nursing salaries

• New South Wales: According to Job Outlook, registered nurses in New South Wales had a median annual salary of $80,000 in 2020, which is higher than the national median.

• Western Australia: Registered nurses in Western Australia had a median annual salary of $80,000 in 2020, which is also higher than the national median.

Lower nursing salaries

• Tasmania: Registered nurses in Tasmania had a median annual salary of $68,000 in 2020, which is below the national median.

• South Australia: Registered nurses in South Australia had a median annual salary of $70,000 in 2020, which is also below the national median.

Nursing Salary Bonuses in Australia

Many States and Territories also offer incentives to Nurses who either choose to work in major metropolitan areas such as central Sydney or in regional areas of low to very low population although the following table gives an accurate indication for each end of the spectrum when calculating Nursing Salaries in Australia.

Australia Nurse Salaries in Public Vs Private Sector

Nurse salaries in Australia can vary depending on a number of factors, including whether the nurse is working in the public sector or private sector.

Public sector nurse salaries

Nurses working in the public sector in Australia are typically employed by state or territory health departments or other publicly funded healthcare organizations. Public sector nurse salaries are often set by industrial awards or enterprise agreements, which can vary by state or territory. According to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation public sector nurse salaries in Australia as of 2023 ranged from around $57,000 to $100,000 per year depending on the level of experience and the specific nursing role.

Private sector nurse salaries

Nurses working in the private sector in Australia are typically employed by private hospitals or other privately owned healthcare organizations. Private sector nurse salaries can be influenced by a number of factors including the size and location of the employer and the type of nursing role. According to the job search website Indeed, the average salary for a registered nurse working in the private sector in Australia as of 2023 was around $91,000 per year which is higher than the median salary for all registered nurses in Australia.

While private sector nurse salaries may be higher on average than public sector salaries, public sector nurses may have access to additional benefits such as job security, career advancement opportunities and access to training and development programs. Public sector nurse salaries can also vary by state or territory and may be higher or lower than private sector salaries depending on the region and the specific nursing role.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs United Kingdom

• Salary levels: Nurse salaries in Australia tend to be higher on average than nurse salaries in the UK. According to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, as of 2023, registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year, while enrolled nurses earn an average salary of around AUD 48,000 to AUD 66,000 per year. By contrast, according to the Royal College of Nursing in the UK, as of 2023, registered nurses in the UK earn an average salary of around £24,907 to £37,890 per year, while healthcare assistants and assistant practitioners earn an average salary of around £18,005 to £21,601 per year.

• Cost of living: While nurse salaries in Australia may be higher on average than nurse salaries in the UK it’s important to consider the cost of living in each country when comparing pay levels. Australia is known for having a relatively high cost of living particularly in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne which can impact how far your salary goes. By contrast, the cost of living in the UK can vary depending on the region but is generally considered lower than Australia.

• Working conditions: Nurse working conditions can vary by country and region and it’s important to consider factors beyond just pay when comparing job opportunities. For example, both Australia and the UK have publicly funded healthcare systems, but the specifics of how healthcare is delivered can vary.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs United States

• Average salary levels: According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, registered nurses in the US earn an average salary of around USD 75,000 to USD 80,000 per year, while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year.

• Cost of living: As with the UK, it’s important to consider the cost of living in each country when comparing pay levels. The cost of living in the US can vary widely depending on the region, but is generally considered to be lower than in Australia. However, there are also significant variations in the cost of living within Australia with major cities like Sydney and Melbourne being more expensive than other areas.

• Healthcare system: The healthcare systems in Australia and the US are quite different, with Australia having a publicly funded system and the US relying primarily on private insurance. This can impact factors such as nurse staffing ratios and available resources, which can in turn impact job satisfaction and career growth opportunities.

• Education and training: There may be differences in the education and training requirements for nurses in each country, as well as the availability of professional development opportunities. For example, in the US, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is becoming increasingly preferred or even required for some nursing positions, while in Australia, a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Diploma of Nursing is typically required.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Philippines

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in the Philippines earn an average salary of around PHP 199,000 to PHP 350,000 per year while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year. This indicates that nurse pay is generally higher in Australia than in the Philippines.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in the Philippines is generally lower than in Australia, which can impact how far nurse salaries go in each country. For example, the cost of housing and other necessities is much lower in the Philippines than in Australia.

• Healthcare system: The healthcare systems in Australia and the Philippines are very different, with Australia having a publicly funded system and the Philippines relying primarily on private healthcare. This can impact factors such as nurse staffing ratios.

• Education and training: In the Philippines, nursing is typically a four-year degree program while in Australia a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Diploma of Nursing is typically required.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Columbia

• Average salary levels: According to data from numbeo.com, registered nurses in Colombia earn an average salary of around COP 31,000,000 to COP 51,000,000 per year which equates to roughly AUD 13,200 to AUD 21,800 per year, while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year. This indicates that nurse pay is generally higher in Australia than in Colombia.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in Colombia is generally lower than in Australia, which can impact how far nurse salaries go in each country.

• Education and training: In Colombia nursing is typically a four-year degree program

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs New Zealand

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in New Zealand earn an average salary of around NZD 50,000 to NZD 85,000 per year, while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year. This indicates that nurse pay is generally higher in Australia than in New Zealand.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in New Zealand is generally lower than in Australia which can impact how far nurse salaries go in each country.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs India

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in India earn an average salary of around INR 240,000 to INR 670,000 per year
• 9AUD 4,100 to AUD 11,500 per year), while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year. This indicates that nurse pay is generally much higher in Australia than in India.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in India is massively lower than in Australia

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Europe

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in some European countries like the UK, Germany and France earn an average salary of around EUR 30,000 to EUR 45,000 per year (equates to roughly AUD 47,000 to AUD 70,000 per year), while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in Europe varies greatly depending on the country and city, but it can be higher than in Australia in some places. For example, living in major cities like Paris or London can be very expensive compared to living in regional areas of Australia.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs China

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in China earn an average salary of around CNY 51,000 to CNY 150,000 per year (which equates to roughly AUD 11,000 to AUD 32,000 per year), while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year. This indicates that nurse pay is generally higher in Australia than in China.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in China varies greatly depending on the city, but it can be lower than in Australia in some places. However, in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the cost of living can be higher than in many Australian cities.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Canada

• Average salary levels: Registered nurses in Canada earn an average salary of around CAD 56,000 to CAD 90,000 per year (whichequates to roughly AUD 60,000 to AUD 97,000 per year), while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year.

• Cost of living: In major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the cost of living can be higher than in many Australian cities.

• Healthcare system: The healthcare systems in Canada and Australia are both publicly funded, although there are some differences in the way they are organized and funded. These differences can impact factors such as nurse staffing ratios, and training opportunities.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Israel

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com, registered nurses in Israel earn an average salary of around ILS 132,000 to ILS 170,000 per year (which equates to AUD 53,000 to AUD 68,000 per year), while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in Israel can be higher than in many parts of Australia especially in cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Brazil

• Average salary levels: According to data from payscale.com registered nurses in Brazil earn an average salary of around BRL 46,000 to BRL 78,000 per year (which equates to AUD 12,000 to AUD 20,000 per year) while registered nurses in Australia earn an average salary of around AUD 69,000 to AUD 100,000 per year.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in Brazil is hugely lower than in Australia

Nurse Salaries in Australia Vs Asia’

Asia is a vast and diverse continent with many different countries each with their own unique healthcare systems and cost of living.

• Average salary levels: Nurse salaries in Asia can vary widely depending on the country and region. Registered nurses in Singapore, Japan and South Korea tend to earn relatively high salaries with average salaries ranging from around SGD 35,000 to SGD 80,000 per year (which equates to AUD 34,000 to AUD 78,000 per year). These are quite close to nursing salaries in Australia. However, in other countries such as Indonesia or the Philippines the nurse salaries are significantly lower than Australia.

• Cost of living: The cost of living in different Asian countries can vary widely, with some countries (such as Japan or Singapore) being relatively expensive to live in, while others (such as Indonesia or Vietnam) may be more affordable than Australia.