Western Australia offers one of Australia’s most unique nursing markets. Remote area allowances, fly-in fly-out (FIFO) opportunities with very competitive pay, and geographic isolation can all contribute to higher overall earnings.
This guide explains how RN pay works in WA in 2025, from Perth metro hospitals to Pilbara FIFO roles, Kimberley remote postings, and everything in between. Whether you’re a local RN, an interstate nurse considering the move west, or an international RN looking at some of Australia’s highest-paying opportunities, this is your complete WA nursing pay guide.
Understanding WA Nursing Pay (2024–2027 Agreement)
All registered nurses employed in the WA Health System are covered by the WA Health System – Australian Nursing Federation – Registered Nurses, Midwives, Enrolled (Mental Health) and Enrolled (Mothercraft) Nurses Industrial Agreement 2024, which operates until October 2027.
Who It Covers
- WA Health metropolitan hospitals in Perth and surrounds
- WA Country Health Service (WACHS) hospitals and health services across regional and remote WA
- Mental Health Commission facilities
- Approximately 23,000 nurses and midwives across WA
Key Features
- Staged pay increases: RN and midwife pay rises are phased in over three years, with scheduled increases in October 2024, October 2025 and October 2026
- Regional/remote incentives: Various district, remote and other allowances available in eligible locations
- FIFO provisions: Special arrangements for some FIFO/remote roles via policies and contracts.
Public Sector Pay Rates (WA Health RN Base Rates 2025)
WA Health RN Base Rates 2025 (Selected Levels)
| Level | Annual ($) | Weekly ($) | Hourly ($) |
| 1.1 | 82,945 | 1,590.00 | 41.84 |
| 1.2 | 85,815 | 1,645.00 | 43.29 |
| 1.3 | 88,800 | 1,702.20 | 44.79 |
| 1.4 | 92,413 | 1,771.50 | 46.62 |
| 1.5 | 96,151 | 1,843.20 | 48.51 |
| 1.6 | 99,509 | 1,907.50 | 50.20 |
| 1.7 | 103,001 | 1,974.50 | 51.96 |
| 1.8 | 106,630 | 2,044.00 | 53.79 |
| 2.1 | 109,599 | 2,100.90 | 55.29 |
| 2.2 | 111,584 | 2,139.00 | 56.29 |
| 2.3 | 113,613 | 2,177.90 | 57.31 |
| 2.4 | 115,682 | 2,217.50 | 58.36 |
Hourly = Weekly ÷ 38 (rounded).
Note: Base rates shown exclude shift loadings, overtime, and special duties.
How Pay Progression Works
- Annual increments: As a Level 1 RN, you normally move up one pay point each year, as long as you’re building and using your skills in your practice setting (as set out in the Agreement).
- Recognition of prior experience: Previous relevant RN or midwifery experience (including in other states, sectors or countries) may be recognised when your starting pay point is set. You’ll usually need to provide evidence, and final placement is decided by WA Health.
Penalties and Loadings
RNs receive penalty rates for evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays as set in the Agreement. These significantly boost take-home pay, particularly in 24-hour metro hospitals and regional rosters.
Your actual penalty rates depend on:
- Time of shift (evening/night/weekend)
- Shift length and roster pattern
- Public holiday vs. regular weekend
Check Clause 26 – Shift Work Allowances of the WA Health–ANF Agreement 2024 for full penalty rate schedules, or speak with your payroll team for your exact loadings.
Regional, Remote & FIFO Nursing Pay
Western Australia structures nursing pay a bit differently to states like NSW, VIC and QLD.
All public RNs are on the same statewide base rates under the WA Health System – ANF Registered Nurses, Midwives Agreement, but extra allowances for regional, remote and FIFO roles come from separate State Government district allowance agreements and WA Country Health Service (WACHS) policies.
That means two RNs on the same Level and Year can take home very different amounts depending on:
- Where they work (metro, regional, remote)
- Whether the role attracts district/remote allowances or FIFO loadings
- Local roster patterns and penalty rates
This guide focuses on the core WA Health RN pay structure. For the exact allowance amounts at your site, always rely on your contract, payroll/HR or your union as the primary source.
FIFO Nursing in WA – What It Actually Looks Like
Western Australia is one of the main places in Australia where fly-in fly-out (FIFO) nursing is common, especially in mining and remote regions.
Typical FIFO arrangements may include:
- Blocks of weeks on, followed by a period of weeks off
- Flights, accommodation and meals covered by the employer
- A mix of:
- Base RN pay (as per the WA Health or private agreement)
- District and/or remote allowances (for eligible locations)
- Site-specific FIFO loadings
- Penalties for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays
Because FIFO packages are often built from multiple components that vary by employer and site, there isn’t one “standard FIFO rate” you can rely on. Always check:
- Your written letter of offer / contract; and
- Ask HR or your union to explain how your total remuneration is made up.
Pros and Cons of FIFO & Remote RN Work
Potential advantages:
- Higher total pay compared to many metro-only roles once allowances and penalties are included
- Flights, accommodation and some living costs covered in many FIFO arrangements
- Broad clinical exposure in rural and remote practice
- Blocks of time off between rosters in some FIFO contracts
Common challenges:
- Long stretches away from family, friends and support networks
- Physically and mentally demanding work, especially in very remote sites
- Limited local services and resources
- Not suitable for every life stage (e.g. caring responsibilities, young children)
Big Picture
If you’re considering regional, remote or FIFO work in WA, think about:
- Your clinical goals (experience, career progression)
- Your personal situation (family, support, health)
- The exact conditions and allowances in your contract (not just the headline pay)
Regional WA — Balancing Lifestyle & Income
Example: Level 1.4 RN in a regional centre such as Geraldton
- Base: as per Level 1.4 in the RN pay table
- Possible district allowance: if the town is eligible under the District Allowance agreement
- Penalties: extra pay for evenings, nights and weekends, depending on the roster
In practice, this often means total annual earnings are higher than the base rate, especially if you work rotating shifts.
Why regional WA appeals:
- Lower cost of living in many regional centres (housing often cheaper than Perth)
- Relocation and housing incentives in some roles
- Broader clinical scope in smaller hospitals
- Close-knit communities
- Potentially faster career progression
Allowances and Extra Benefits for WA Public RNs
On top of your base salary and penalty rates, WA public sector Registered Nurses and Midwives can access a range of allowances and benefits through the WA Health–ANF Industrial Agreement and related government agreements.
1. Professional Development Allowance (for RNs & SRNs)
If you’re employed as a WA public sector Registered Nurse or Midwife (and you’re not casual), you’re entitled to a Professional Development Allowance under the current WA Health–ANF Agreement to support ongoing learning:
| Classification | Annual allowance* |
| RN / RM Level 1.1 – 1.7 | $700 per year |
| RN / RM Level 1.8 – 2.4 | $1,100 per year |
| SRN Level 1 – 5 | $1,100 per year |
| SRN Level 6 – 10 | $1,400 per year |
* Paid fortnightly and pro-rated for part-time.
In practice, that means:
- It’s paid fortnightly, not as one lump sum.
- Part-time nurses get it pro-rata to their hours.
- It is not paid to casuals.
- It continues during paid leave (e.g. annual leave, paid parental leave).
- It doesn’t count as “salary” when calculating overtime, penalties or other allowances.
- It isn’t paid out if you resign, retire or cash out leave.
So this is a real “extra” on top of your base RN rates.
2. District Allowance (Regional & Remote)
If your role is based in certain regional or remote WA locations, you may also receive a District Allowance on top of your RN pay.
For WA Health nurses:
- The RN Agreement says the State Government’s District Allowance rules apply as if they were written into the nursing Agreement, but
- The actual dollar amounts and eligible towns are set in a separate District Allowance (Government Employees) Agreement, not in the RN pay tables.
- Rates can vary by zone/district and are updated over time using cost-of-living, climate and isolation measures.
If you work in certain regional or remote WA towns, you may receive a District Allowance on top of your base RN salary. This is designed to help offset higher living costs, climate and isolation. The exact amount depends on your location and is set under a separate WA Government District Allowance Agreement, so always check the latest tables from WA Health, your employer or your union.
3. Extra Benefits if You Work Country or Remote
Alongside core pay and District Allowance, some nurses get additional benefits depending on where they work and whether they relocate.
Remote Area Nurses (RANs)
For RNs working as remote area nurses (the primary 24/7 health provider in very isolated communities listed in the Agreement – for example, some sites in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Mid West), the package can look quite different.
Depending on the site, remote area nurses may receive:
- On-call / availability allowance – extra pay for being available outside ordinary hours (often calculated as a percentage of the standard on-call allowance).
- Overtime allowance in lieu of standard overtime – in some remote roles, an annual allowance is paid fortnightly instead of claiming overtime shift by shift.
- Isolation leave – extra paid leave on top of annual leave after a set number of weeks in remote locations (for example, some locations offer additional isolation leave for every block of remote service, with part of it taken with annual leave).
- Travel support for leave – employer-funded travel into and out of the remote community to the nearest airport with scheduled services when you take leave.
- Additional in-service training – extra in-service training weeks, including time in a major centre, with travel, accommodation and a daily allowance covered by the employer.
Remote area nursing roles in WA often come with these additional loadings, isolation leave and funded travel/training on top of the base RN pay, recognising the intensity and isolation of being the primary 24/7 provider in small communities.
Rural Gratuities and Retention Payments
Some long-standing rural and remote roles, especially in WA Country Health Service, may also attract older “rural gratuity” or retention payments. These are mostly transitional arrangements. They still benefit some existing staff in specific locations but won’t always apply to new employees. Check your contract and HR for what applies now.
4. Relocation, Transfer & Property Support
When nurses move between WA Health / public sector roles, the Agreement can provide support with moving and setting up in a new town, including:
- Transfer / Removal Allowance – help with moving costs if you relocate for a new WA Health/public sector role (e.g. removal of furniture, temporary accommodation while you find long-term housing, connection of utilities, mail redirection).
- Property Allowance (in some transfers) – in certain eligible transfers, partial reimbursement of some buying/selling costs when you sell one home and buy in a new locality (for example, part of agent’s commission and some legal/settlement fees).
- Distant Appointment Allowance – if you’re appointed to a job more than 40 km from your current residence, WA Health can cover fares, travel expenses and the transport of personal effects, with different rules depending on whether you’re required to supply a car.
If you move town for a WA Health role, you may be eligible for assistance with moving costs and, in some cases, part of the costs of selling and buying a home. The exact entitlements depend on the type of move and your classification.
5. Uniform & Laundry Allowances
Where uniforms are required and not fully supplied or laundered by the employer, nurses may receive:
- A small weekly uniform allowance if they supply their own uniform but follow the required standard; and
- A separate laundry allowance where uniforms aren’t laundered by the hospital/service.
These amounts are modest, but they still form part of the overall package.
Important: Exact eligibility, amounts and conditions depend on your location, classification and the current Agreement. This guide is general information only. Always check the latest WA Health–ANF Industrial Agreement, any applicable District Allowance agreements, and talk to HR or your union for advice about your situation.
Salary Packaging & Superannuation
Most WA Health staff can access salary packaging, using part of their pre-tax income for approved expenses to increase take-home pay.
Eligible items (subject to employer policy, provider rules and tax law) can include things like:
- Rent / mortgage, groceries, utilities
- Vehicle lease & fuel (novated leases)
- Extra super contributions
Caps
For many WA public hospitals, salary packaging for everyday living expenses is commonly capped around the standard FBT-free limit for employees of public benevolent institutions (for example, about $9,010 per FBT year for many roles at the time of writing).
Some regional/remote nurses may also be able to access additional tax concessions (for example, zone tax offsets) depending on their location and personal circumstances.
Example (illustrative only)
A Level 1.6 RN working in a regional or remote town might package up to the FBT-free cap for living expenses, and may also be eligible for a zone tax offset. Together, these can result in several thousand dollars of tax saved per year — but the exact benefit depends on their personal tax position, location and packaging provider.
For personalised advice, you should always speak with a salary packaging provider, financial adviser or tax professional.
On top of cash salary, WA public employers also pay compulsory superannuation contributions into your super fund (at least the statutory Superannuation Guarantee rate set by Australian law).
Resources
Official WA Health & Agreements
- WA Health–ANF Registered Nurses, Midwives Agreement – official public sector RN pay and conditions (base rates, penalties, remote conditions, allowances).
- WA Government Awards & Agreements – current awards and agreements
- District Allowance (Government Employees) Agreement – reference for district allowance rates.
Jobs & Regional Opportunities
- WA Health Careers – vacancies, role descriptions and pay information for metro and country services.
- WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Careers – regional, remote and FIFO-style nursing opportunities.
Professional Support & Union
- Australian Nursing Federation WA (ANF WA) – support, advocacy and detailed advice on pay, allowances and conditions.
Compare to Other Nursing Roles
- Registered Nurse Salary NSW 2025
- Registered Nurse Salary Victoria 2025
- Registered Nurse Salary Queensland 2025
Disclaimer:
The information in this guide is for general information only and is based on publicly available sources current as of 2025. Pay rates, allowances and conditions can change over time and may vary by employer, agreement and individual circumstances. This is not financial, legal or employment advice. For legally enforceable pay and entitlements, always refer to your current award or enterprise agreement and seek advice from your employer, union or a qualified adviser.