Registered Nurse Salary in Canberra (2026)

Last updated 05/07/2026

Registered Nurses in Canberra earn a median salary of $98,570 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $89,477 and $125,146. That sits 28% below Canberra's all-roles median of $136,785. Figures are based on 20 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Canberra in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 50th percentile by listing volume in Canberra

ADVERTISED RANGE

$89,477 – $125,146

Median: $98,570

Mid level

$89,477 – $125,146

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

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Bottom 10% $89,477 Median $98,570 $125,146 Top 10%

Understanding the Canberra Market

Based on 20 listings, treat this as directional. The unusual detail is that the RN median sits 27.9% below Canberra's all-roles baseline, a negative gap driven by the city's exceptionally high public-sector and government salaries rather than low nursing pay. At $98.6k the median is actually strong for the role in absolute terms, right in line with the national RN figure. The band is $89.5k to $125k. Canberra's baseline is the outlier here, not the nurse's pay.

Take Home Pay (based on median $98,570)

Weekly (net)

~$1,425

Monthly (net)

~$6,175

Annual (net)

~$74,096

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $109,905

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Registered Nurse in Canberra?

Registered nurses in Canberra start near the $89.5k p10, since AHPRA registration and the enterprise agreement set a defined floor. Advancing to the $125k top of the band comes with grade progression, specialty units (ICU, ED, theatre), and after-hours and shift loadings.

Is $98,570 a good salary in Canberra?

Yes, despite the below-baseline figure. At $98.6k the median nets around $74k and matches strong national RN pay; it only trails Canberra's baseline because government salaries inflate that reference point. For the role itself this is a solid, award-backed position.

How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Canberra?

Experienced registered nurses in Canberra reach toward the $125k p90 through grade progression and specialty work. Getting there means moving up the enterprise-agreement grades, specialising in a high-acuity unit, or stepping into clinical-nurse-specialist or nurse-unit-manager roles.

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Canberra
Canberra (this page)	$98,570	—
Wollongong	$105,347	+7%
Adelaide	$100,000	~same
Gold Coast	$100,000	~same
Melbourne	$100,000	~same

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