Registered Nurse Salary in Canberra (2026)

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Registered Nurses in Canberra earn a median salary of $100,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $85,886 and $125,000. That sits 17% below Canberra's all-roles median of $120,000. Figures are based on 32 jobs advertised in Canberra in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 25% of roles by listing volume in Canberra
💰 Registered Nurse · Canberra
ADVERTISED RANGE
$85,886 – $125,000
Median: $100,000
Mid level $85,886 – $125,000
Overall $85k–$125k Mid $85k–$125k $83k $92k $101k $110k $119k $128k
Moderate confidence 32 listings · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 32 job listings for this role and city, 96.9% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 25.0% stated a salary directly. The remaining 75.0% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $85,886 Median  $100,000 $125,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Canberra Market

This role has no August comparison in the data, so there is no trend to read yet. Registered nurses in Canberra earn $100,000, matching Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle and Perth exactly. What makes Canberra unusual is the comparison against its own market: the city's all-roles median of $120,000 is the highest in this report, so nursing sits 16.7% below the local benchmark here while clearing it comfortably in every other city. Only 25% of listings stated a salary.

Take Home Pay (based on median $100,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,443
Monthly (net)
~$6,253
Annual (net)
~$75,033
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $111,500

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?
New graduates start at $85,000, set by ACT Health enterprise agreement rather than negotiated individually. Progression through the early pay points is time-based and largely automatic in the public system. The territory's small private sector means most listings come from a single major employer.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Canberra?
It depends entirely on the comparison. At $100,000 a registered nurse matches the best-paying nursing markets in the country, but sits 16.7% below Canberra's all-roles median of $120,000, with take-home near $1,443 a week. Canberra is the only city in this report where nursing falls short of the local benchmark, and that says more about the federal government salaries around it than about nursing pay.
How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Canberra?
The ceiling is $125,000, covering clinical nurse consultant and specialist roles rather than standard ward nursing. Postgraduate certification in a specialty is the usual requirement. With only 32 listings and a single dominant employer, the upper end of this range is thinly evidenced.

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Canberra
Canberra (this page) $100,000 0%
Brisbane $100,000 ~same
Gold Coast $100,000 ~same
Melbourne $100,000 ~same
Newcastle $100,000 ~same

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.