How Much Money Can A Nurse Make in Australia?

Working as a nurse can be an extremely rewarding career. Not only do you get the opportunity to help people every day, but the pay is extremely competitive. In fact, Australia is ranked in the top 10 countries for pay for registered nurses. So, how much money can you make working as a nurse in Australia?

How Much Money Does a Nurse Make?

In 2010, the Nurses Award was introduced by the Fair Work Commission to help regulate and determine the pay and conditions for working nurses in Australia. The average salary of a Registered Nurse (RN) in Australia is approximately $73,000. This amount can vary greatly depending on nurses' education, years of experience, and location.

Brand new nurses out of school can expect to start earning between $60,000 and $65,000 each year. The Nurses Award stipulates that nurses should receive an annual salary increase as they gain experience (approximately 4-5% each year until they have gained 8 years of experience).

Another factor is location. Because of the many remote or rural locations in Australia, it is often difficult to secure enough medical professionals to work in those parts of the country. Pay will be much more competitive in these areas. Nurses that have the ability to relocate to these areas will be able to secure work faster and at higher rates. This is a great option for new nurses looking to get into roles quickly and start building their experience in the field.

It’s also important to note that some nurses go on to become nurse practitioners. Because the responsibilities of nurse practitioners are closely related to that of a doctor, their salaries are much higher. Nurse practitioners in NSW and QLD can make up to $120,000 a year. Of course, this higher pay comes with more responsibilities, higher education and experience requirements, compared to other nursing roles.

Future Outlook for the Nursing Profession in Australia

While pay is currently competitive in the nursing profession, future demand could push this amount higher as organizations work to retain talent. Despite there being over 420,000 nurses currently working in Australia, some healthcare experts are projecting a shortage of nurses that is expected to hit approximately 123,000 by the year 2030. This gap in available labour could cause wages to increase over time. Universities across the country will need to continuously train and develop thousands of new nurses each year to keep up with the demand.

Get the Cover You Need to Work as a Nurse in Australia

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