Registered Nurse Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Registered Nurses in Melbourne earn a median salary of $100,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $80,000 and $125,000. That sits 7% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 196 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 0% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +19 listings vs last month
💰 Registered Nurse · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$80,000 – $125,000
Median: $100,000
Aug $100k
Sep $100k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level $80,000 – $125,000
Overall $80k–$125k Mid $80k–$125k $77k $87k $98k $108k $118k $128k
High confidence 196 listings (+19 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 196 job listings for this role and city, 93.7% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 25.7% stated a salary directly. The remaining 74.3% 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%  $80,000 Median  $100,000 $125,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

At 196 listings this is the highest-volume role in Melbourne, sitting in the 100th percentile for demand with the median fixed at $100,000. Listings rose from 177. Melbourne matches Brisbane, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Perth exactly, with Sydney and Wollongong at $98,000 and Adelaide last at $95,000. The 45% spread reflects the distance between award-linked ward roles at $80,000 and specialist positions reaching $125,000. Only 26% 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 Melbourne?
New graduates start at $80,000, the lowest nursing floor of the major capitals, set by the Victorian public health enterprise agreement. Progression through the early pay points is time-based and largely automatic in the public system. Private and aged care employers match at entry but move faster for those taking night and weekend loadings.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Marginally. At $100,000 a registered nurse earns 6.6% above Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $1,443 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Six cities pay the identical figure, so Melbourne is among the weakest on take-home. Within Melbourne health it sits level with occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiography and pharmacy, all at $100,000.
How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $125,000, covering clinical nurse consultant, nurse practitioner and specialist roles rather than standard ward nursing. Postgraduate certification in ICU, emergency, perioperative or mental health is the usual requirement. Mental health clinician roles in Melbourne at $123,000 are the adjacent specialisation.

Other roles in Melbourne

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

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