Queensland Nursing Stream Salary Scales
Compare salary scales across Australian federal and state public services
Queensland Public Service
| Classification | Range | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nurse Level 1 Registered Nurse — 8-year progression | $61,727Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $75,397Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Registered Nurse Level 2 Senior Registered Nurse | $77,406Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $81,111Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Registered Nurse Level 3 Clinical Nurse | $83,615Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $88,076Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Nurse Manager Nurse Manager — single flat rate | $101,721Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $101,721Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | |
Nurse Unit Manager Nurse Unit Manager — 6 grade progression | $96,034Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ | $137,228Use in calc →Open in tax calculator ↗ |
Notes
- ·Rates are from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015, effective 1 September 2025, applying the General Ruling wage adjustment.
- ·Level 1 contains junior rates for employees under 21. The award identifies Level 2 Paypoint 1 as the adult minimum salary for the Administrative stream.
- ·No prior salary column is published in the source, so no historical comparison values are shown.
Salary Snapshot
QLD Nursing salary bands, shown per year.
Entry salary
$61,727
Registered Nurse Level 1
Top salary
$137,228
Nurse Unit Manager
Midpoint band
$85,846
Registered Nurse Level 3
Classifications
5
Nursing stream
Classification range ladder
Min to max salary within the currently selected jurisdiction and stream
Registered Nurse Level 1
Registered Nurse — 8-year progression
Registered Nurse Level 2
Senior Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Level 3
Clinical Nurse
Nurse Manager
Nurse Manager — single flat rate
Nurse Unit Manager
Nurse Unit Manager — 6 grade progression
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The Australian Public Service (APS) employs over 150,000 people across the country.
About the Queensland Nursing Stream
The Nursing stream covers Queensland Health nurses employed under the Queensland Public Service Award. Registered Nurse Level 1 progresses over 8 years ($61,727–$75,397). Registered Nurse Levels 2 and 3 cover senior and clinical nurse roles. The Nurse Unit Manager classification has 6 grades reaching $137,228. All rates are from the award effective 1 September 2025.
Typical roles: Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurses, Nurse Managers, Nurse Unit Managers. Salary ranges run from $61,727 (Registered Nurse Level 1) to $137,228 (Nurse Unit Manager). All rates are from the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award – State 2015, effective 1 September 2025.
Superannuation: QLD public service employees receive 12% employer superannuation, matching the standard Superannuation Guarantee rate.
QLD Nursing Salary Guide by Classification
Quick reference for every Queensland Public Service Nursing classification and what it pays in 2025–2026. All figures are annual gross salary. Select any level to calculate your take-home pay after tax, Medicare, and super.
Registered Nurse Level 1 Salary
The RN Level 1 classification (also written as RN Level 1) pays $61,727–$75,397 per year. Registered Nurse — 8-year progression. Calculate RN Level 1take-home pay →
Registered Nurse Level 2 Salary
The RN Level 2 classification (also written as RN Level 2) pays $77,406–$81,111 per year. Senior Registered Nurse. Calculate RN Level 2take-home pay →
Registered Nurse Level 3 Salary
The RN Level 3 classification (also written as RN Level 3) pays $83,615–$88,076 per year. Clinical Nurse. Calculate RN Level 3take-home pay →
Nurse Manager Salary
The Nurse Manager classification pays $101,721–$101,721 per year. Nurse Manager — single flat rate. Calculate Nurse Managertake-home pay →
NUM Salary — Nurse Unit Manager
The NUM classification (NUM, nurse unit manager, charge nurse) pays $96,034–$137,228 per year. Nurse Unit Manager — 6 grade progression. Calculate NUMtake-home pay →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RN Level 1 salary?
A Nursing RN Level 1 (also written as RN Level 1) earns $61,727 to $75,397 per year as set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $51,000–$60,000 per year. This classification covers registered nurse — 8-year progression. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the RN Level 2 salary?
A Nursing RN Level 2 (also written as RN Level 2) earns $77,406 to $81,111 per year as set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $62,000–$64,000 per year. This classification covers senior registered nurse. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the RN Level 3 salary?
A Nursing RN Level 3 (also written as RN Level 3) earns $83,615 to $88,076 per year as set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $66,000–$69,000 per year. This classification covers clinical nurse. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the Nurse Manager salary?
A Nursing Nurse Manager earns $101,721 to $101,721 per year as set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $77,000–$77,000 per year. This classification covers nurse manager — single flat rate. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the NUM salary?
A Nursing NUM (NUM, nurse unit manager, charge nurse) earns $96,034 to $137,228 per year as set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home pay is approximately $75,000–$101,000 per year. This classification covers nurse unit manager — 6 grade progression. QLD employees receive 12% employer superannuation.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurse in Queensland?
A Registered Nurse commencing at RN Level 1 earns $61,727 in their first year, progressing annually to $75,397 by the 8th year. Most new graduates enter at the 1st year rate. The base rate under the Queensland Public Service Officers and Other Employees Award applies to nurses in Queensland Health and other government agencies covered by this award.
What does a Nurse Unit Manager earn in Queensland?
The Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) classification has 6 grades ranging from $96,034 (Grade 1) to $137,228 (Grade 6). The Nurse Manager classification (a separate flat rate) pays $101,721. Grade placement depends on the size and complexity of the unit being managed.
How does Queensland nursing pay compare to other states?
Queensland Registered Nurse Level 1 progression ($61,727–$75,397) is broadly comparable to other state nursing awards. Queensland offers the standard 12% superannuation. Nurses in QLD also have access to generous leave entitlements under the Queensland public service conditions including 20 days annual leave and the 17.5% leave loading.