Nurse Salary Calculator Australia 2026 — Take-Home Pay After Tax Per Month
Find out exactly how much you take home per month as a registered nurse or healthcare worker in Australia after federal income tax, Medicare levy (2%), and superannuation (12%) — updated for 2026.
Nurse Salary Calculator Australia 2026 — What Does It Calculate?
This free nurse salary calculator shows exactly how much Australian registered nurses, graduate nurses, and allied health professionals take home per month after all deductions in 2026. Unlike a general salary calculator, this tool is pre-configured with healthcare-specific defaults so the result reflects what actually lands in a nurse's bank account.
Deductions included in this calculator:
Federal income tax — 2026 ATO tax brackets
Medicare Levy — 2% of taxable income (standard for all Australian residents)
Superannuation — 12% employer contribution (from 1 July 2025), shown separately as it does not reduce take-home pay directly
Salary sacrifice / additional contributions — adjustable in Advanced Options
The calculator is pre-set to $85,000 — a typical new-to-mid-career registered nurse salary across Australia. Adjust to your exact salary and state for a precise monthly net pay figure. Include penalty rates, shift allowances, and overtime in your annual salary input for the most accurate result.
Nurse Salary Australia Per Month After Tax — 2026
The table below shows registered nurse (RN) salary ranges by state and territory for 2026 and estimated monthly take-home pay after federal income tax, Medicare levy, and 12% superannuation. These are the figures Australian nurses actually receive per month.
State / Territory
Graduate RN Annual Salary
Approx. Monthly Take-Home (Grad)
Mid-Career Annual Salary
Approx. Monthly Take-Home (Mid)
New South Wales
$75,000
~$4,600–$5,000
$95,000
~$5,700–$6,200
Victoria
$72,000
~$4,400–$4,900
$90,000
~$5,400–$5,900
Queensland
$80,000
~$4,900–$5,300
$98,000
~$5,800–$6,400
Western Australia
$78,000
~$4,800–$5,200
$100,000
~$6,000–$6,600
South Australia
$73,000
~$4,500–$4,900
$92,000
~$5,500–$6,000
Tasmania
$78,000
~$4,800–$5,200
$95,000
~$5,700–$6,200
ACT
$82,000
~$5,000–$5,500
$98,000
~$5,800–$6,400
Northern Territory
$85,000
~$5,200–$5,700
$105,000
~$6,200–$6,800
Sources: NSW Health / ANMF awards, Fair Work Nurses Award 2025–2026, Vic Health EBA, WA Health ANF Agreement, QLD Health, SA Health, ABS and SEEK 2026 data. Take-home estimates include federal tax and 2% Medicare levy but superannuation (12%) is paid additionally by the employer. Exact amounts include shift penalties and allowances — enter your full earnings in the calculator above for a precise monthly figure.
How Much Do Nurses Make After Taxes in Australia — 2026
Monthly take-home pay for Australian nurses depends on salary level, state, and whether shift penalties and allowances are included. Here are estimated net monthly figures for common nurse salary points after federal income tax and Medicare levy (super is paid additionally by your employer):
Graduate nurse salary after tax — Australia 2026
New graduate registered nurses in Australia start at $72,000–$85,000 per year depending on state. Monthly take-home for a graduate nurse:
$72,000/year (Victoria starting) — approximately $4,400–$4,900/month net
$73,000/year (South Australia) — approximately $4,500–$4,900/month net
$75,000/year (New South Wales) — approximately $4,600–$5,000/month net
$78,000/year (WA / Tasmania) — approximately $4,800–$5,200/month net
$80,000/year (Queensland) — approximately $4,900–$5,300/month net
$82,000/year (ACT) — approximately $5,000–$5,500/month net
$85,000/year (Northern Territory) — approximately $5,200–$5,700/month net
Mid-career registered nurse salary after tax — Australia 2026
Experienced registered nurses with 5+ years typically earn $90,000–$105,000 per year. Monthly take-home:
$90,000/year (Victoria mid-career) — approximately $5,400–$5,900/month net
$92,000/year (South Australia) — approximately $5,500–$6,000/month net
$95,000/year (NSW / Tasmania) — approximately $5,700–$6,200/month net
$98,000/year (QLD / ACT) — approximately $5,800–$6,400/month net
$100,000/year (Western Australia) — approximately $6,000–$6,600/month net
$105,000/year (Northern Territory) — approximately $6,200–$6,800/month net
Senior nurse and CNS salary after tax — Australia 2026
Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Unit Managers, and senior nurses earn $106,000–$125,000 per year. Monthly take-home:
$106,000/year (Tasmania top scale) — approximately $6,200–$6,800/month net
$108,000/year (South Australia top) — approximately $6,300–$6,900/month net
$110,000/year (Victoria top scale) — approximately $6,400–$7,000/month net
$112,000/year (ACT top scale) — approximately $6,500–$7,100/month net
$115,000/year (NSW top scale) — approximately $6,700–$7,300/month net
$118,000/year (Queensland top) — approximately $6,800–$7,500/month net
$122,000/year (WA top scale) — approximately $7,000–$7,700/month net
$125,000/year (Northern Territory top) — approximately $7,200–$7,900/month net
All ranges above include federal income tax and 2% Medicare levy. Superannuation (12%) is paid by your employer on top of these figures. Use the calculator at the top of this page for your exact state and salary.
Nurse Take-Home Pay by State — Australia 2026
NSW nurse take-home pay after tax — 2026
NSW nurses are covered by the NSW Health Service Nurses Award and NSWNMA enterprise agreements. A new graduate NSW nurse starting at $75,000 takes home approximately $4,600–$5,000 per month after federal tax and Medicare levy. At $95,000 (mid-career), take-home is approximately $5,700–$6,200 per month. Senior NSW nurses and CNS at $115,000 take home approximately $6,700–$7,300 per month. NSW nurses working evening, night, and weekend shifts receive penalty rates under the award, boosting actual take-home above base salary estimates.
Queensland nurse take-home pay after tax — 2026
Queensland Health nurses benefit from some of the highest base rates in Australia under the Queensland Health Nurses and Midwives Award. A new graduate QLD nurse at $80,000 takes home approximately $4,900–$5,300 per month. At $98,000 (mid-career), take-home is approximately $5,800–$6,400 per month. Senior QLD nurses at $118,000 take home approximately $6,800–$7,500 per month.
Victoria nurse take-home pay after tax — 2026
Victorian nurses are covered by the Vic Health Nurses and Midwives EBA. Starting salaries at $72,000 produce take-home pay of approximately $4,400–$4,900 per month for new graduates. Mid-career Victorian nurses at $90,000 take home approximately $5,400–$5,900 per month. Senior nurses and CNS at $110,000 take home approximately $6,400–$7,000 per month.
Western Australia nurse take-home pay after tax — 2026
WA Health nurses under the ANF Western Australian Agreement receive among the highest base rates in mainland Australia. A new graduate WA nurse at $78,000 takes home approximately $4,800–$5,200 per month. At $100,000 (mid-career), take-home is approximately $6,000–$6,600 per month. Senior WA nurses at $122,000 take home approximately $7,000–$7,700 per month.
Northern Territory — highest nurse salaries in Australia
The Northern Territory offers Australia's highest nurse starting salaries ($85,000 for new graduates) plus remote area allowances in many positions. At the top of the NT scale ($125,000), take-home pay is approximately $7,200–$7,900 per month. These positions often include additional retention bonuses, housing allowances, and relocation assistance not reflected in the base salary.
Penalty rates and shift allowances — how they affect take-home pay
Australian nurses working evening shifts (after 6pm), night shifts, weekends, and public holidays receive penalty rates under the Nurses Award 2020 or their state EBA. These additional earnings are taxable income and will increase your actual take-home pay above the base salary estimates in the table above. If you regularly work shifts with penalty rates, enter your total expected annual earnings (including all penalties and allowances) in the calculator above for an accurate monthly take-home figure.
Nurse Salary Calculator Australia — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nurse take home after tax in Australia per month?
A registered nurse earning $85,000 per year takes home approximately $5,200–$5,800 per month after federal income tax and Medicare levy. At $95,000 (mid-career NSW), take-home is approximately $5,700–$6,200 per month. At $72,000 (new graduate Victoria), take-home is approximately $4,400–$4,900 per month. Enter your exact salary and state in the calculator above for a precise figure.
What is the nurse salary in Australia per month after tax in 2026?
In 2026, registered nurse monthly take-home pay ranges from approximately $4,300/month for new graduates in lower-paying states to over $7,500/month for senior nurses and CNS in Queensland, WA, or the Northern Territory. The most common range for full-time RNs is $4,900–$6,400 per month after all deductions.
How much does a graduate nurse take home after tax in Australia?
Graduate nurses starting at $72,000–$85,000 (depending on state) take home approximately $4,300–$5,200 per month. NT new graduates at $85,000 take home the most. Victorian and SA new graduates at $72,000–$73,000 take home the least among Australian states.
How much tax do nurses pay in Australia?
A nurse earning $85,000 pays approximately $18,000–$20,000 in combined federal income tax and Medicare levy per year — roughly $1,500–$1,650 per month in tax. The effective tax rate at $85,000 is approximately 22–24% of gross salary. Superannuation (12%) is paid additionally by the employer and does not reduce take-home pay.
Does this calculator include superannuation?
Yes. Superannuation at 12% (from 1 July 2025) is shown in the calculator as an employer contribution on top of your salary — it does not reduce take-home pay directly. The 2% Medicare Levy is included in the tax deductions. You can adjust the super rate in Advanced Options for salary sacrifice arrangements.
How much does an NSW nurse take home after tax in 2026?
NSW graduate nurses at $75,000 take home approximately $4,600–$5,000 per month. Mid-career NSW nurses at $95,000 take home approximately $5,700–$6,200 per month. Senior NSW nurses and CNS at $115,000 take home approximately $6,700–$7,300 per month.
How much does a QLD nurse take home after tax?
Queensland graduate nurses at $80,000 take home approximately $4,900–$5,300 per month. Mid-career QLD nurses at $98,000 take home approximately $5,800–$6,400 per month. Senior QLD nurses at $118,000 take home approximately $6,800–$7,500 per month.
Do shift allowances and penalty rates increase take-home pay?
Yes. Evening, night, weekend, and public holiday shifts attract penalty rates under the Nurses Award 2020 and state EBAs, increasing your taxable income and therefore your take-home pay above base salary estimates. Include all expected penalty rates and allowances in your annual salary input for an accurate monthly result.
Does this calculator work for allied health workers and doctors?
Yes. The calculator works for any healthcare professional — physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, pharmacists, and junior doctors. Enter your total annual salary (including allowances) and select your state. The 2% Medicare Levy and federal income tax apply the same way for all healthcare workers.
What is the nurse tax-free threshold in Australia?
All Australian residents — including nurses — receive a tax-free threshold of $18,200 per year. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can effectively raise this further for lower earners. Most nurses earning above $45,000 will be taxed at the 32.5% marginal rate for income in that band, plus the 2% Medicare Levy. Claim the tax-free threshold with your employer via a TFN declaration form to avoid overpaying PAYG withholding.
How does this calculator work for agency and casual nurses?
Enter your expected total annual earnings from agency or casual nursing in the salary field. Tax scales proportionally. Note that casual nurses receive a 25% casual loading instead of paid leave entitlements, and are generally not eligible for salary sacrifice arrangements. Adjust super in Advanced Options if your agency does not pay the full 12%.
