Registered Nurse Salary Australia: What Changes Your Fortnightly Take-Home Pay

Registered Nurse Salary Australia: Award Rates and Your Take-Home Pay

If you're looking at a registered nurse salary australia, the first thing to know is that pay is set by the Nurses Award 2020, a modern award from the Fair Work Commission. The award covers minimum hourly and weekly rates for different classifications, from Level 1 through to Level 5. Your actual pay depends on your level, pay point, and years of experience.

Minimum Rates Under the Nurses Award 2020

Fair Work publishes the minimum rates for registered nurses. For example, a Registered nurse Level 1 Pay point 1 earns $32.09 per hour, or $1,219.50 per week for a full-time employee working 38 hours. At the top of the award, a Level 5 Grade 6 earns $71.23 per hour, or $2,706.90 per week. These rates apply from 1 July 2026, following the Annual Wage Review.

For comparison, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week. Even the lowest registered nurse rate is well above that.

What Changes Your Fortnightly Pay: Tax, Medicare, and Super

Your gross salary is not what lands in your bank account. Three main factors reduce your take-home pay: income tax, the Medicare levy, and (if you salary sacrifice) super. Let's break each down.

Income Tax Brackets (2026–27)

Australia uses a progressive tax system. For a resident earning a registered nurse salary, the tax brackets are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15 cents per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37 cents per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45 cents per $1 over $190,000

You also get the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) if your taxable income is below $66,667. The maximum LITO is $700, reducing your tax bill.

Medicare Levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are thresholds for low earners. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Most full-time registered nurses will pay the full levy.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is paid by your employer on top of your salary, so it does not reduce your take-home pay unless you choose to salary sacrifice extra contributions. When you see a job ad quoting a salary, it is usually "plus super" – meaning the super is additional.

Example: Take-Home Pay for a Level 1 Registered Nurse

Let's take a Registered nurse Level 1 Pay point 1 earning $32.09 per hour, 38 hours per week. That's $1,219.50 per week, or $63,414 per year.

• Gross annual salary: $63,414
• Tax on $63,414: Using the brackets, tax is $4,020 + 30% of ($63,414 - $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,524.20 = $9,544.20. Then subtract LITO (at $63,414, LITO is $325 minus 1.5c per $1 over $45,000 = $325 - $276.21 = $48.79). So net tax = $9,544.20 - $48.79 = $9,495.41.
• Medicare levy: Full 2% = $1,268.28
• Total deductions: $9,495.41 + $1,268.28 = $10,763.69
• Annual take-home: $63,414 - $10,763.69 = $52,650.31
• Fortnightly take-home: $52,650.31 / 26 = $2,025.01

This is an estimate. Your actual take-home may differ due to HELP/HECS, salary packaging, or payroll rounding.

How to Use This Information

When you're comparing job offers or negotiating a registered nurse salary australia, remember that the award rate is the minimum. Many employers pay above award, especially in private hospitals or for specialised roles. Use the Tax and Medicare guide to calculate your own take-home, and check Super to understand your employer's obligations.

For more details on award rates, see the Fair Work Ombudsman's Nurses Award 2020 page. The Australian Taxation Office also provides a guide for nurses and midwives on work-related deductions.