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ENROLLED NURSE SALARY IN AUSTRALIA: PUBLIC HEALTH STATE COMPARISON

As an enrolled nurse in Australia’s public health sector, your earning potential varies by state, not just in base rates, but in career progression, medication endorsement rates, and penalty rate structures.

This guide breaks down exactly what ENs earn across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland public health systems in 2025, compares the three states, and gives overview of how salary packaging contributes to total remuneration.

Here’s what you need to know about public sector EN salaries in 2025. The table below compares starting base rates for standard public-sector EN (endorsed) classifications to illustrate general differences in pay structures across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.

Quick State Comparison: Where Do Public ENs Earn Most?

StateEN Year 1 (Weekly / Hourly)EN Year 5 (Weekly / Hourly)Instrument / Award System (2025)
NSW$1,246.20 / $32.79$1,354.10 / $35.63Public Health System Nurses’ & Midwives’ (State) Award 2023 – effective 1 Jul 2024
VIC$1,330.90 / $35.02$1,449.70 / $38.15Victorian Public Sector Nurses & Midwives EBA 2024–2028 – May 2025 rates
QLD (EB11)$1,365.2 / $35.93$1,448.9 / $38.13Queensland Health Nurses & Midwives EB11 – effective April 2024
QLD (EB12)$1,406 / $37.00$1,492.26 / $39.27Queensland Health Nurses & Midwives EB12 – Waiting Certification

Sources:

Key Takeaway: Queensland currently pays the highest base rates among New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland for entry-level and Victoria for experienced Enrolled Nurses (under EB11). However, penalty rates and allowances can significantly affect overall earnings.

Understanding EN Awards: What Applies to You

Enrolled Nurses in Australia’s public sector follow a state-specific pay structure, with progression levels and classifications that vary between states.

NSW: Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award 2023

  • Covers: All NSW Health facilities (Sydney metro, regional, rural hospitals)
  • Examples: Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead, Liverpool, John Hunter
  • Structure: EN Grade 1-5, progressing by years of service
  • Medication endorsement: Separate classification for ENs authorised to administer medications

Victoria: Victorian Public Sector Nurses & Midwives EBA 2024

  • Covers: All Victorian public hospitals and health services
  • Examples: Royal Melbourne, Alfred Health, Monash Health, Peter MacCallum, Box Hill
  • Structure: EN Level 1 (1.1–1.6) for unendorsed nurses, and EN Level 2 (2.1–2.6 or 2.3–2.7) for medication-endorsed, automatic annual progression
  • Medication endorsement: Recognised within the classification system — Level 2 ENs (Certificate IV or Diploma) receive higher pay than Level 1.

Queensland: Nurses & Midwives (Queensland Health) EB11/EB12

  • Covers: All Queensland Health facilities and Hospital & Health Services
  • Examples: Royal Brisbane, Princess Alexandra, Gold Coast University Hospital, Cairns Hospital
  • Structure: Enrolled Nurses are classified under Nurse Grade 3 (NG3) with five pay points based on years of service. Advanced Skills Enrolled Nurses (NG4) have two higher pay points for specialised or leadership roles.
  • Status: EB11 remains the current certified agreement, while the proposed EB12 Nurses and Midwives Agreement has reached in-principle approval and is awaiting certification by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Under the proposed terms, it includes annual pay increases scheduled from April 2025, April 2026, and April 2027 once certified.

The Bottom Line: Your state award or enterprise agreement determines your base pay, progression structure, penalty rates, and benefits. All three states offer clear progression pathways, but the speed and ceiling may differ.

NSW Health EN Salary Breakdown

Enrolled Nurse Without Medication Qualification

LevelHourlyWeekly (38h)
EN Year 1$32.09$1,219.40
EN Year 2$32.79$1,246.20
EN Year 3$33.49$1,272.70
EN Year 4$34.21$1,299.80
EN Year 5+$34.93$1,327.30
EN Special Grade$36.02$1,368.60

Enrolled Nurse

LevelHourlyWeekly (38h)
EN Year 1$32.79$1,246.20
EN Year 2$33.49$1,272.70
EN Year 3$34.21$1,299.80
EN Year 4$34.93$1,327.30
EN Year 5+$35.63$1,354.10
EN Special Grade$36.73$1,395.50

Sources: NSW IRC Award tables; NSWNMA pay guide (nswnma.asn.au) effective from July 2024.

Medication Endorsement Rates: ENs with medication authority earn slightly higher rates within each grade.

How NSW EN  Pay Progression Works

NSW Enrolled Nurses move up automatically each year based on service and experience under the state award. Enrolled Nurses can only progress to Special Grade after gaining an Advanced Certificate and significant clinical experience, in a position formally approved within the public health system. See more in the NSW Health Nurses’ & Midwives’ (State) Award 2023.

NSW Penalty Rates for ENs

For the most up-to-date penalty rates, shift loadings, and allowance details, refer to the NSWNMA Public Health System pay calculator (2025).

Victoria Public Sector EN Salary Breakdown

EN Level 1 Year 1-6

YearHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$32.61$1,239.30
2$33.28$1,264.70
3$33.94$1,289.70
4$34.61$1,315.30
5$35.94$1,365.70
6$37.05$1,408.00

EN Level 2 (Cert IV Year 1–6)

YearHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$35.02$1,330.90
2$35.80$1,360.40
3$36.59$1,390.50
4$37.37$1,420.10
5$38.15$1,449.70
6$38.55$1,464.90

EN Level 2 (Diploma Year 1–5)

YearHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$36.59$1,390.50
2$37.37$1,420.10
3$38.15$1,449.70
4$38.55$1,464.90
5$38.93$1,479.50

Source: 2024 EBA Wages Table (Victorian Public Sector Nurses & Midwives EBA 2024–2028)

Medication Endorsement Rates: ENs with medication authority earn slightly higher rates within each grade.

How VIC EN  Pay Progression Works

Victorian Enrolled Nurses move up automatically each year based on service and experience under the Victorian Public Sector Single Interest Employer Agreement 2024–2028.

Level 1 ENs progress through six pay points, while Level 2 (Certificate IV or Diploma-qualified) ENs start on a higher scale and also advance annually.

VIC Penalty Rates for ENs

Victorian Enrolled Nurses receive additional loadings for weekends, public holidays, and afternoon or night shifts.

For the full penalty rate schedule and allowances, refer to the official Victorian Public Sector Nurses & Midwives EBA 2024–2028 document (PDF).

Queensland Public Health EN Salary Breakdown

EN Pay Point 1–5

Pay PointHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$35.93$1,365.20
2$36.44$1,384.75
3$36.98$1,405.15
4$37.53$1,426.25
5$38.13$1,448.90

EN (Advanced Skills)

Pay PointHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$39.26$1,491.80
2$41.66$1,583.00

Source: Queensland Health Nurses and Midwives Certified Agreement (EB11)

EB12 Update: EN Pay Point 1–5 (Pending Certification)

Pay PointHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$37.00$1,406.00
2$37.53$1,426.14
3$38.09$1,447.42
4$38.66$1,469.08
5$39.27$1,492.26

EB12 Update: EN (Advanced Skills, Pending Certification)

Pay PointHourly RateWeekly Rate (38h)
1$40.44$1,536.72
2$42.91$1,630.58

Source: Queensland Health Improved EB12 Offer

How Queensland EN Progression Works

Queensland Enrolled Nurses are classified as Nurse Grade 3 and 4 (NG3 and NG4) under the Queensland Health Nurses and Midwives (EB11) Agreement, progressing automatically each year with satisfactory service, but movement between Grades require appointment.

Queensland Penalty Rates for ENs

Queensland Enrolled Nurses receive additional loadings for weekend, public-holiday, and night-shift work under the Queensland Health Nurses and Midwives (EB11) conditions.

For detailed penalty rate tables and allowances, see the official agreement.

Salary Packaging: Boosting Your Take-Home Pay

All three states offer public health employees salary packaging, a tax-effective way to increase your take-home pay by paying for living expenses (rent, mortgage, bills) from pre-tax income.

Salary Packaging Benefits

Public-sector Enrolled Nurses in NSW, VIC, and QLD can access up to $11,660 of tax-free income each year, plus an additional $2,650 for meals and entertainment, through salary packaging.
Eligible expenses include rent or mortgage payments, utilities, car costs, and groceries.
This arrangement can increase take-home pay by roughly $3,000–$3,500 per year, depending on income and location.
Check with your hospital’s payroll team or approved providers such as Maxxia, RemServ, or Smartsalary for current limits and eligibility.

State-by-State Comparison: Which State Pays ENs Best?

In 2025, Queensland leads on public-sector base pay for Enrolled Nurses and is set to move further ahead once EB12 is certified. Victoria stays strong for upper-step EN roles, while NSW remains slightly lower on base rates. In practice, total take-home depends more on penalty shifts, salary packaging, and allowances.

Key Resources

Official Pay Information

Salary Packaging Providers

Professional Support & Unions

Compare to Other Nursing Roles

Disclaimer:

The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and is based on publicly available sources, including state awards, enterprise agreements, and official pay tables current as of 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, rates and classifications may change over time. Always refer to the latest official award or enterprise agreement, your employer, or your relevant union for confirmation of current pay and conditions.This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, financial, legal, or career advice. Echochime is not affiliated with any state health department, union, or healthcare employer.