Lexi Webster
Nursing is a highly sought-after career in Australia, offering competitive salaries and a broad range of specialisations. While nursing salaries in the public healthcare system are fairly standardised, there are numerous ways for nurses to increase their earning potential. This includes working with nursing agencies, taking on additional training, specialising in a specific area of nursing, and moving to a different state. In this article, we will explore the various ways to make money in nursing in Australia and provide insights into the most lucrative nursing roles in the country.
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What You'll Learn
Work with a nursing agency
Nursing agencies are businesses that connect healthcare facilities with nurses on an as-needed basis. Agencies offer higher average hourly pay than working directly with a hospital or healthcare facility. They also provide opportunities to work in rural areas, which can be lucrative as it is notoriously difficult to recruit nursing staff in these locations. Agencies will often cover travel expenses and accommodations.
Working with an agency means you may need to spend a significant amount of time travelling to and from work. However, this can be balanced by the higher pay and the opportunity to work in a variety of places and with different colleagues.
Agencies can provide a great deal of flexibility, allowing you to work in different settings and gain experience in a range of areas. This can be beneficial if you are looking to develop a broad range of skills and experience, which is attractive to employers and can lead to higher-paying roles in the future.
In addition, nursing agencies can provide a pathway to working in rural and remote areas, which often come with financial incentives. For example, working in regional, rural, or remote locations can offer part-time roles with isolation bonuses of up to AUD$10,500 for a two-year stay. These roles also provide travel benefits, such as return airfares for recreation leave.
Therefore, working with a nursing agency can be a great way to increase your earnings and gain valuable experience in a variety of settings. It can also open doors to rural and remote opportunities, which can provide financial benefits and a unique working experience.
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Move to a different state
The salaries for nurses in Australia vary across states and are influenced by factors such as demand for healthcare facilities and the cost of living. For example, in some nursing roles, you can typically earn more in Queensland than in New South Wales, and the cost of living in Brisbane is lower than in Sydney.
Tasmania's pay rates can be on the lower end, but with a lower cost of living than on the mainland, your money will go further. As of 2023, Tasmania has also implemented a pay deal set to increase nurse earnings by about 15% over three years, aiming to match the national average.
In South Australia, registered nurses can expect to earn between $70,535 and $96,242, while enrolled nurses should expect from $62,642 to $71,835. However, in Mount Gambier, a remote area of South Australia, registered nurses can earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year.
The Northern Territory also offers higher pay for nurses, especially in outback facilities, with an average annual wage between $85,000 and $105,000.
The states with the highest average salaries for nurses include Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Cities such as Canberra, Cairns, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast also offer higher salaries.
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Work nights, weekends and holidays
Working nights, weekends, and holidays is a great way for nurses in Australia to boost their income. While night shifts can be difficult for nurses, they are often financially rewarding. In Victoria, nurses are paid $52.80 extra for each night shift worked, while in NSW, the typical public night shift penalty is 15% more than the base rate.
On weekends, nurses in NSW can earn time-and-a-half pay on Saturdays and time plus 3/4 pay on Sundays. In Victoria, working on holidays will get you a minimum of 100% over your usual base rate. This can add up to a significant increase in pay over time.
In addition to working nights and weekends, taking on holiday shifts can further increase your earnings. For example, a night shift differential may include an additional $5 per hour on top of your regular hourly rate. This means that if your regular hourly rate is $34, you could earn $39 per hour during the night shift.
Another way to increase your income as a nurse in Australia is to work with a nursing agency. Agencies often offer higher hourly rates than full-time hospital positions, and they may also cover travel expenses. This can be a great option for those willing to work in rural or remote areas, as agencies often have clients in these regions.
Finally, nurses in Australia can boost their income by taking on side hustles or additional roles. For example, immunisation nurses can earn an average of $56 per hour, while CPR or first aid instructors can make around $55 per hour. Teaching classes on health-related topics or working as a telehealth nurse are also lucrative options.
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Specialise in a lucrative field
Specialising in a lucrative field is a great way to increase your earning potential as a nurse in Australia. There are several specialisations that can lead to higher salaries. Here are some options to consider:
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are experienced registered nurses who have undertaken additional education to enable them to work in advanced clinical roles. They often specialise in caring for people with serious illnesses. To become a nurse practitioner, you typically need to obtain a master's degree in nursing, which can take 1.5 to 3 years depending on your study arrangement. Nurse practitioners can earn around $109,413 per year.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
CNSs are registered nurses who specialise in a specific area of patient care. They provide direct care to patients and their families and also educate other healthcare providers. CNSs may conduct research and collaborate with other professionals to develop new care standards. This specialisation typically requires additional postgraduate study and experience in a particular area. CNSs can expect to earn higher salaries than registered nurses.
Nurse Midwife
Nurse midwives are registered nurses who specialise in providing obstetric, gynecological, and newborn care to women. They offer a range of services, including primary care, preventive care, diagnosis, prescription of medication, and minor procedures. To become a nurse midwife, additional study in midwifery is required to achieve registration with the midwifery board of Australia. Nurse midwives can earn around $86,478 per year.
Mental Health Nurse
Mental health nurses are specialised healthcare professionals who treat and support individuals with mental health issues. They work closely with mental health professionals to ensure optimal treatment and care for their patients. Mental health nurses may also educate and support family members or caregivers. This specialisation is highly paid in Australia and can provide a rewarding career path.
Director of Nursing
Directors of nursing are responsible for administrative and management functions within a healthcare organisation. They oversee budgeting, record-keeping, and other operational tasks. To secure a position as a director of nursing, you need to demonstrate competence and expertise, often building on experience in other nursing roles. This is a senior role that commands a higher salary, reflecting the increased responsibilities.
By pursuing specialisations such as those mentioned above, nurses in Australia can increase their earning potential and advance their careers. These roles often require additional education, experience, and a demonstrated expertise in the field.
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Claim tax deductions
Nurses in Australia can claim a variety of tax deductions on work-related expenses. These include the cost of tools and equipment, such as stethoscopes, nursing fobs, and safety gear, which are essential to earning your income. If the equipment costs less than $300, you can claim the full amount in the year of purchase. For equipment costing more than $300, you can claim a deduction for the decline in value. You can also claim the cost of union and professional association fees, such as AHPRA registration fees, and memberships in industry bodies.
Work uniform expenses, including protective equipment, uniforms with logos, and laundering expenses, are also deductible. You can claim a deduction for the cost of purchasing or cleaning a compulsory uniform or clothing with a logo, as well as special non-slip nursing shoes. However, you cannot claim a deduction for plain uniforms or conventional clothing, even if your employer requires you to wear them, as these are considered private expenses.
Self-education expenses, such as short courses (e.g. first aid, OH&S) and qualifications related to your role, are also deductible. However, if you are studying for a new job or your first job as a nurse, these expenses are not claimable. Travel expenses for work-related trips, such as attending a conference, are deductible, but travel between home and work is generally not claimable unless you are transporting bulky equipment.
To claim these deductions, you must keep records and receipts for all expenses. You can use the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Receipts App to upload and record expenses, and it is recommended to keep hard copies of receipts as well.
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Frequently asked questions
Nurses in Australia are paid at rates that are fairly standardised. The typical starting pay for a beginning-level registered nurse is $50,856, while wages for experienced registered nurses are generally in the range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year. However, there are opportunities to earn over $100,000.
There are several ways to increase your earning potential as a nurse in Australia. You could work with a nursing agency, take on additional training or qualifications, work nights, weekends and holidays, or move to a different state or region.
The highest-paid nursing jobs in Australia include nurse practitioner, nurse unit manager, director of nursing, mental health nurse, and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Nurse salaries can vary depending on the state or region within Australia. For example, nurses in Queensland may earn more than in New South Wales, and the cost of living can also vary significantly between locations, impacting your overall financial situation.
Nurses in Australia may be able to claim a broad range of work-related expenses and deductions relating to taxes. These may include travel expenses, isolation bonuses, salary sacrificing options, and other benefits.
