Some of the highest paid nurses’ salaries often exceed AUD 140,000 annually and become a popular career choice to study in Australia.
International students often wonder what is the pathway to their nursing career and secure the one they really want or the one that pays really well.
12 out of 16 highest paid nurses in this list are also in the MLTSSL list which means this career path can possibly lead you to permanent residency status in Australia.
This article from education ONE serves as a guide for prospective nursing students aiming for high-demand, high-paying specialisations within the Australian healthcare system.
Note: MLTSSL lists are subject to change, hence a prior check is always recommended before acting.
Director of Nursing (DON) – $178,521
Much like the Italian term “Don”, symbolizing respect, authority, and expertise.
The Director of Nursing (DON) plans, organizes, directs, controls and coordinates nursing/midwifery programs and clinical services, no surprise that this role sits at the top of the nursing hierarchy as the highest paid nurses in Australia.
Queensland often offers the highest average salaries.
Many employers prefer candidates with a postgraduate degree in nursing leadership or management including experience in senior roles such as Nurse Unit Manager or Clinical Nurse Consultant.
- In MLTSSL? No
- Entry Level salary: $128,341
- Average salary: $142,860
- Senior Level salary: $178,521
- Educational Qualification: Master of Nursing (Leadership/Management), Master of Health Administration (2 years)
- Recommended institutions: La Trobe University, Monash University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne
Nurse Practitioner (NP) – $150,046
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) are highly skilled Registered Nurse with advanced training and qualifications at the Master’s degree level.
NPs become the highest paid nurses in Australia because of the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions.
- In MLTSSL? Yes
- Entry Level salary: $127,226
- Average salary: $134,576
- Senior Level salary: $150,046
- Educational Qualification: Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) (2 years)
- Recommended institutions: University of Sydney, Edith Cowan University, University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland
Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) – $136,256
The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) is a Senior Registered Nurse who plays a critical role as backbone of hospital operations from staff rostering, resource allocation, to working closely with Clinical Nurse Consultants to maintain high standards of patient care.
The NUM also ensures the unit meets key performance indicators, including quality of care, budget management, workforce planning, and professional development.
- In MLTSSL? No
- Entry Level salary: $107,375
- Average salary: $121,065
- Senior Level salary: $136,256
- Educational Qualification: Master of Nursing (Leadership/Management), Master of Health Administration (2 years)
- Recommended institutions: La Trobe University, Monash University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne
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Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) – $138,243
The Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) role was established in 1986 under the NSW state award system as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) pathway.
It allows experienced nurses to stay in clinical practice while taking on leadership responsibilities as clinical experts, advising on complex cases, developing care plans, conducting research, and supporting education initiatives.
- In MLTSSL? No
- Entry Level salary: $114,921
- Average salary: $122,640
- Senior Level salary: $138,243
- Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in relevant specialty (2 years)
- Recommended institutions: Specialty-specific
Nurse Educator – $129,500
A Nurse Educator is among the highest-paid nurses in Australia; why? Nurse Educator is a Registered Nurse responsible for educating nurses by developing, implementing, and assessing nursing education programs while managing training resources.
You usually need a postgraduate degree in nursing or (or a related field) and substantial clinical experience.
- In MLTSSL? No
- Entry Level salary: $101,704
- Average salary: $109,982
- Senior Level salary: $129,500
- Educational Qualification: Master of Nursing (Education), Graduate Certificates/Diplomas in Nursing Education (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: UTS, Monash University, La Trobe University
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – $131,813
A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an in-demand clinical leadership role where you have the potential to earn more and take on more advanced practice in your nursing career.
CNS starts their career as an enrolled or Registered Nurse but then studies postgraduate qualifications in advanced practice in an area of expertise.
- In MLTSSL? Depends on specialisation
- Entry Level salary: $102,708
- Average salary: $111,359
- Senior Level salary: $131,813
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Master’s in relevant specialty (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: Specialty-specific
Critical Care Nurse – $124,296
If you’ve ever been seriously ill in your life or visited someone who was ailing in the hospital you would have probably met a critical care nurse.
Often called intensive care nurses, the career of a critical care nurse is both high-risk and highly rewarding because they are highly trained to understand and care for people of all ages who are recovering from life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Critical Care)
- Entry Level salary: $80,680
- Average salary: $85,256
- Senior Level salary: $124,296
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (1 year)
- Recommended institutions: UTS, Deakin University, Flinders University, Griffith University
Mental Health Nurse (MHN) – $133,464
With nearly 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health condition, demand for skilled Mental Health Nurses is rising.
Professor Hurley warns of a potential shortfall of 20,000 MHN by 2030.
“To give an indication of need, we run the risk of a shortfall of 20,000 mental health nurses nationally by 2030,”
Mental Health Nurse responsible for patient assessment, administering medication, far to educating people about mental health.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Mental Health)
- Entry Level salary: $86,297
- Average salary: $105,109
- Senior Level salary: $133,464
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Master’s in Mental Health Nursing (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: Australian Catholic University, La Trobe University, University of Newcastle, RMIT University, University of Melbourne
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Theatre Nurse – $133,380
Theatre Nurse (also known as a Scrub), provides safe nursing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures with approximately 2.6 millions of Australian hospital admissions each year resulting in surgical interventions.
Registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and a postgraduate qualification in Perioperative, Perianesthesia or Intraoperative Nursing is required to become a theatre nurse.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Perioperative)
- Entry Level salary: $81,441
- Average salary: $92,790
- Senior Level salary: $133,380
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Master’s in Perioperative Nursing (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: Deakin University, University of Adelaide, University of Tasmania, University of Notre Dame, Australian College of Nursing
Paediatric Nurse – $130,000
Paediatric Nurses are licensed Registered Nurses with a focus on treating children of all ages to effectively manage situations involving young patients and their families.
You can obtain your licence by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) after completing a Bachelor of Nursing programme.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Paediatric)
- Entry Level salary: $82,383
- Average salary: $97,520
- Senior Level salary: $130,000
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Paediatric Nursing, Combined Bachelor/Graduate Certificate (1-4 years)
- Recommended institutions: University of Melbourne, Griffith University, Monash University, Flinders University, Federation University
Aged Care Nurse – $134,613
Aged Care Nurses is a Registered Nurse (RN) focusing on the health and unique needs of elderly patients requiring medical, physical, and psychological assistance.
A Bachelor of Nursing is usually required to become an aged care nurse, and pursuing additional postgraduate qualifications in aged care can be beneficial.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Aged Care)
- Entry Level salary: $83,227
- Average salary: $97,917
- Senior Level salary: $134,613
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Master’s in Gerontology/Aged Care Nursing (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: Flinders University, Deakin University, Australian Catholic University, University of Tasmania, Monash University, University of Melbourne
Travel Nurse – $165,984
The term ‘travel nurse’ relates to a nurse who is either travelling within or outside of Australia and usually works for nursing and recruitment agencies doing short-term contracts in a variety of health settings.
The wages for travel nurses can be as attractive as $120,000 a year, cementing name as one of the highest paid nurses while having to commit to working in remote Australia, away from home.
- In MLTSSL? Depends on specialisation
- Entry Level salary: $98,244
- Average salary: $112,164
- Senior Level salary: $165,984
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Master’s in relevant specialty
- Recommended institutions: Specialty-specific
Public Health Nurse – $135,726
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines public health as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society“.
As a Public Health Nurses you’ll work in public health units, immunisation services, and disease control clinics to monitor and manage programs to prevent disease spread, respond to outbreaks, and run immunisation programs.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Community Health)
- Entry Level salary: $83,901
- Average salary: $106,297
- Senior Level salary: $135,726
- Educational Qualification: Master of Public Health (1-2 years)
- Recommended institutions: University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University, University of Queensland, UNSW, University of Wollongong
Cardiac Nurse – $126,319
Cardiac Nurse is a specialised Registered Nurse providing nursing care for patients experiencing cardiovascular disease or other heart-related issues.
Cardiovascular diseases cause 27% of deaths in Australia resulting in job growth of 12.2% projected for Registered Nurses by 2028.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Critical Care)
- Entry Level salary: $82,526
- Average salary: $95,868
- Senior Level salary: $126,319
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Cardiac Nursing (1 year)
- Recommended institutions: Deakin University, University of Adelaide, Federation University, Australian Catholic University
Nurse Midwife – $130,599
Australia’s rapidly increasing population equals more births meaning a greater demand for Midwives to provide care and support to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Nursing and midwifery are classed as separate professions under Australian law, which means it requires different qualifications. It means after becoming a Registered Nurse, you’ll need postgraduate qualification of Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Midwife)
- Entry Level salary: $83,356
- Average salary: $95,994
- Senior Level salary: $130,599
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelor/Master of Midwifery (4 years)
- Recommended institutions: Monash University, La Trobe University, University of Queensland, University of Newcastle
Your nursing career deserves the best start. Let our education consultants map out your ideal study plan for success in Australia’s high-demand healthcare sector. Speak to an expert today!
Oncology Nurse – $132,019
Oncology Nurses skilled in administering anti-cancer treatments, managing the potential side effects of these treatments, and supporting patients and their families throughout their cancer journey.
- In MLTSSL? Yes (Medical)
- Entry Level salary: $80,963
- Average salary: $92,601
- Senior Level salary: $132,019
- Educational Qualification: Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Cancer/Oncology Nursing (1 year)
- Recommended institutions: University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, Deakin University, University of Tasmania, University of Sydney
Note: All salary range is taken from Talent.
