How Much Do Registered Nurses Earn In Australia?

Summary

In this video, the speaker, a registered nurse in Australia, shares insights on nurse salaries in the country, specifically focusing on the income of registered nurses (RNs). The video explains factors influencing pay such as location, experience, and work setting, as well as penalty rates for shifts during afternoons, nights, weekends, and overtime. Fresh graduate RNs start at $33-$34 per hour, with gradual increases based on experience. The speaker also recommends joining the Australian Nurses Federation for benefits and legal support. Overall, the video provides a comprehensive look at nursing salaries in Australia.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nursing is one of the oldest and fastest-growing professions in Australia, with increasing demand for workers.
• 😀 Nurses in Australia are paid according to the Nurse Award Pay Guide, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
• 😀 The Australian Nurses Federation (ANF) represents nurses and plays a role in work negotiations and salary transparency.
• 😀 Salaries for nurses vary based on factors such as location, experience, type of facility, and shift work.
• 😀 Entry-level registered nurses (RN level 1.1) earn approximately $33-$34 per hour, with higher rates for penalty shifts.
• 😀 Afternoon shifts (1 PM to 9:30 PM) earn a 15% penalty, increasing pay to $39-$40 per hour for RN level 1.1.
• 😀 Night shifts (9 PM to 7 AM) attract a 35% penalty, raising pay to $45-$46 per hour for RN level 1.1.
• 😀 Weekend shifts, including Saturday (50% penalty) and Sunday (75% penalty), offer increased pay, with Sunday reaching up to $59-$60 per hour.
• 😀 Full-time or part-time nurses working a mix of shifts can expect to earn approximately $5,000-$6,000 per month before taxes.
• 😀 Registered nurse pay scales increase with experience, with RN levels rising from 1.1 to 1.8, with hourly rates ranging from $33-$45 depending on level.

Q & A

What is the average salary for a fresh graduate nurse (RN Level 1.1) in Australia?

A fresh graduate nurse at RN Level 1.1 earns between $33 to $34 per hour.

How do penalty rates affect a nurse's hourly wage in Australia?

Penalty rates increase a nurse's hourly wage. For example, working an afternoon shift (1:00 PM to 9:30 PM) earns an extra 15% per hour, which is about $5-$6 more. A graveyard shift (9:00 PM to 7:00 AM) adds a 35% penalty, which is about $11-$12 more per hour.

How much does a nurse earn for working on weekends?

On Saturdays, nurses earn a 50% penalty, making their hourly wage around $51-$52 per hour. On Sundays, the penalty is 75%, bringing the wage to approximately $59-$60 per hour.

What factors affect how much a nurse earns in Australia?

Several factors influence a nurse's pay, including location (state or rural areas), qualifications and experience, the type of facility (hospital, aged care, etc.), and whether the nurse works shifts, especially during afternoons, nights, or weekends.

What is the role of the Australian Nurses Federation (ANF) in nurse salaries?

The Australian Nurses Federation (ANF) is a union that represents nurses in industrial and work negotiations. They advocate for fair wages and benefits and provide transparency regarding pay rates across different facilities.

What are some of the benefits of joining the Australian Nurses Federation (ANF)?

The benefits of joining ANF include legal representation for work-related issues, coverage for travel from home to work, discounts on hotels and training programs, and access to transparent pay data for different facilities.

How much can a registered nurse (RN) expect to earn per month in Australia?

A full-time or part-time registered nurse working a mix of regular and penalty shifts (afternoon, graveyard, or weekend) can expect to earn around $5,000 to $6,000 per month before tax.

At what level do nurses start to see salary increments in Australia?

Nurses start seeing salary increments as they progress through different levels, starting from RN Level 1.1 up to RN Level 1.8, with incremental pay increases at each level.

What is the pay range for a nurse at RN Level 1.6?

A nurse at RN Level 1.6 earns between $41 to $42 per hour.

What happens once a nurse reaches RN Level 1.8?

Once a nurse reaches RN Level 1.8, they typically need to apply for a Level 2 position or pursue further studies to advance their career and salary.