Nurse Salary Australia: How to Calculate Your Take-Home Pay After Tax

Introduction

If you’re a nurse in Australia, your pay is set by the Nurses Award [MA000034] from the Fair Work Ombudsman. But the number on your contract isn’t what lands in your bank account. After income tax, the Medicare levy, and any offsets, your take-home pay can be significantly less. This guide explains how to work out your nurse salary Australia after tax, using the latest award rates and 2026–27 tax rules.

Nurse Pay Under the Award

Fair Work publishes a pay guide with minimum weekly and hourly rates for every classification. For example, a Registered nurse – level 1, pay point 1 earns $1,219.50 per week, or $32.09 per hour. A Registered nurse – level 5, grade 6 earns $2,706.90 per week ($71.23 per hour). These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. Fair Work Ombudsman provides the full table.

Your actual pay may be higher if you have an enterprise agreement or receive penalty rates for weekends and public holidays. The award also includes allowances for laundry, uniforms, on-call, and travel. Remember, superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it, unless your contract says “including super”.

From Gross to Net: Tax and Medicare

To estimate your take-home pay, start with your gross annual salary. For a full-time nurse working 38 hours a week, multiply the weekly rate by 52. Example: a Level 1, Pay Point 1 nurse earns $1,219.50 × 52 = $63,414 per year.

Income Tax (2026–27)

The Australian Tax Office uses a progressive tax scale:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

For our example nurse ($63,414), tax is: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($63,414 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,524.20 = $9,544.20.

Low Income Tax Offset (LITO)

You may be eligible for LITO if your taxable income is under $66,667. The maximum offset is $700 for incomes up to $37,500, then it reduces. At $63,414, LITO = $325 – 0.015 × ($63,414 – $45,000) = $325 – $276.21 = $48.79. This reduces your tax to $9,495.41.

Medicare Levy

You pay 2% of your taxable income, unless you earn below $28,011 (single). Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10c per $1 over $28,011. Our nurse earns $63,414, so the full 2% applies: $1,268.28.

Take-Home Estimate

Gross annual: $63,414 Less tax (after LITO): $9,495.41 Less Medicare: $1,268.28 Net annual: $52,650.31 Fortnightly (÷26): $2,025.01

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. For a personalised calculation, use our Clearance tool.

Using the Take-Home Calculator

You can apply the same method to any nurse classification. The Take-home pay page explains the formula in detail. Remember that your award rate is the minimum – many nurses earn more through experience or higher classifications. Also, the Tax and Medicare guide covers offsets and the Medicare levy surcharge if you don’t have private hospital cover.

If you’re considering salary packaging (e.g., for a car or living expenses), that can reduce your taxable income further. See Salary packaging for rules. And don’t forget Super – your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings, which builds your retirement savings outside your take-home pay.