If you’re a nurse in Queensland wondering about your pay, you’re in the right place. This guide compares Queensland Health rates with two major private employers and the Fair Work baseline, so you can see where registered nurses stand in 2025.
Understanding Awards and Agreements in Queensland Health
Before we jump into the pay tables, it helps to know where these numbers actually come from.
- Awards are the legal base rates, set by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC).
- Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) are negotiated deals between Queensland Health and the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU). Once nurses vote them in and QIRC certifies them, they become legally binding.
For Queensland nurses and midwives:
- Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health) Award – State 2015 → the legal safety net for Queensland Health-employed nurses and midwives.
- EB11 (2022–2025) → the current agreement, legally enforceable in 2025.
- EB12 (proposed 2025–2028) → the new deal, already agreed “in principle”.
EB11 sets the pay rates you’re on now, while EB12 is the proposed agreement that will take over once certified.
Queensland Health Enterprise Agreement EB11 (Public Sector)
Queensland Health sets the benchmark for nursing pay in the state (see the Nurses and Midwives EB11 Agreement) for the full wage tables. These rates apply across all public hospitals and health services, from Brisbane’s major teaching hospitals to regional facilities.
Covers: All Queensland Health facilities and Hospital and Health Services
Examples: Royal Brisbane, Princess Alexandra, Gold Coast University Hospital, Cairns Hospital, Townsville University Hospital
RN Pay Rates (EB11 — current as of 2025):
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) | Annual |
| Re-entry | $39.87 | $1,515 | $79,058 |
| 1 | $41.74 | $1,586 | $82,753 |
| 2 | $43.70 | $1,661 | $86,643 |
| 3 | $45.66 | $1,735 | $90,540 |
| 4 | $47.63 | $1,810 | $94,430 |
| 5 | $49.59 | $1,885 | $98,333 |
| 6 | $51.56 | $1,959 | $102,241 |
| 7 | $53.53 | $2,034 | $106,144 |
Source: Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health and Department of Education) Certified Agreement (EB11) 2022, Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
Queensland Health Nurse Benefits
- Salary packaging up to $11,660 tax-free each year.
- Superannuation up to 12.75%
Queensland Health EB12 (Proposed Agreement 2025)
A new, improved offer EB12, has already been negotiated between Queensland Health and the union. It hasn’t been certified yet, but once it is, it will replace EB11 and set new rates from 2025 through 2028.
EB12 will roll out in stages, with the first 3% rise effective from April 2025 once certified. Nurses will see the following:
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) | Annual |
| Re-entry | $41.07 | $1,561 | $81,430 |
| 1 | $42.99 | $1,633 | $85,236 |
| 2 | $45.01 | $1,710 | $89,241 |
| 3 | $47.03 | $1,787 | $93,256 |
| 4 | $49.05 | $1,864 | $97,263 |
| 5 | $51.08 | $1,941 | $101,284 |
| 6 | $53.11 | $2,019 | $105,309 |
| 7 | $55.14 | $2,096 | $109,330 |
Source: Queensland Health Improved EB12 offer
Ramsay Health Care QLD (Private EBA)
Ramsay is the largest private hospital operator in Queensland (covered under the Ramsay Health Care QLD Nurses & Midwives Enterprise Agreement 2023–2025) and employs thousands of nurses across Australia. Its 2023–2025 enterprise agreement sets out clear pay scales for RNs at different levels.
Covers: Greenslopes Private, Sunshine Coast University Private, John Flynn, and Cairns Private.
Their 2023–2025 EBA sets out the following pay:
Level 1 (RN 1.1 – RN 1.8)
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
| RN 1.1 | $39.96 | $1,518 |
| RN 1.2 | $41.89 | $1,592 |
| RN 1.3 | $44.03 | $1,673 |
| RN 1.4 | $45.75 | $1,738 |
| RN 1.5 | $47.68 | $1,812 |
| RN 1.6 | $49.62 | $1,886 |
| RN 1.7 | $51.55 | $1,959 |
| RN 1.8 | $54.01 | $2,052 |
Level 2 — Clinical Nurse / Midwife (RN 2.1 – RN 2.4)
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
| RN 2.1 | $54.72 | $2,080 |
| RN 2.2 | $56.25 | $2,138 |
| RN 2.3 | $57.26 | $2,176 |
| RN 2.4 | $58.82 | $2,236 |
Level 3 — Senior Clinical / Leadership (RN 3.1 – RN 3.4)
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
| RN 3.1 | $62.29 | $2,367 |
| RN 3.2 | $63.76 | $2,423 |
| RN 3.3 | $65.22 | $2,478 |
| RN 3.4 | $67.02 | $2,547 |
Source: Ramsay Health Care Queensland Nurses & Midwives Enterprise Agreement 2023–2025 (wage schedules effective 1 Oct 2024).
Mater Health QLD EBA
Mater is one of Queensland’s oldest and best-known healthcare providers, with major hospitals in Brisbane plus private facilities in Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, and Mackay. Its pay rates are set under the Mater Misericordiae Ltd Nurses & Midwives Enterprise Agreement (FWC), which outlines clear scales for RNs at different levels.
Mater is attractive not just for pay, but also for its mix of public and private care, teaching links, and specialist services.
Covers: Mater Hospital Brisbane, Mater Mothers’ Private, Mater Children’s Private, Mater Private
Level 1 (RN 1.1 – 1.8):
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) | Annual |
| RN 1.1 | $39.61 | $1,505 | $78,546 |
| RN 1.2 | $41.48 | $1,576 | $82,246 |
| RN 1.3 | $43.45 | $1,651 | $86,145 |
| RN 1.4 | $45.41 | $1,726 | $90,045 |
| RN 1.5 | $47.38 | $1,801 | $93,949 |
| RN 1.6 | $49.36 | $1,876 | $97,863 |
| RN 1.7 | $51.33 | $1,951 | $101,778 |
| RN 1.8 | $53.30 | $2,026 | $105,685 |
Level 2 (Clinical Nurse / Midwife etc.)
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) | Annual |
| RN 2.1 | $54.22 | $2,060 | $107,501 |
| RN 2.2 | $55.50 | $2,109 | $110,039 |
| RN 2.3 | $56.79 | $2,158 | $112,596 |
| RN 2.4 | $58.08 | $2,207 | $115,161 |
Level 3 (Consultant / Specialist / Educator etc.)
| RN Year | Hourly | Weekly (38h) | Annual |
| RN 3.1 | $61.67 | $2,343 | $122,280 |
| RN 3.2 | $64.61 | $2,455 | $128,098 |
| RN 3.3 | $67.54 | $2,567 | $133,917 |
| RN 3.4 | $69.23 | $2,630 | $137,264 |
Source: Mater Misericordiae Ltd Queensland Nurses & Midwives Enterprise Agreement 2022-2025
Fair Work Nurses Award (Baseline)
If you’re at a private facility without an enterprise agreement, you fall under the Fair Work Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034).
These are minimums only. Most large hospitals pay above this via EBAs.
Fair Work Award Rates (2025):
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 1 | $30.64 | $1,164.20 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 2 | $31.27 | $1,188.10 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 3 | $32.03 | $1,217.20 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 4 | $32.88 | $1,249.60 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 5 | $33.89 | $1,288.00 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 6 | $34.87 | $1,325.20 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 7 | $35.88 | $1,363.50 |
| RN Level 1 – Pay Point 8+ | $36.82 | $1,399.00 |
| RN Level 2 – Pay Point 1 | $37.79 | $1,436.20 |
| RN Level 2 – Pay Point 2 | $38.39 | $1,459.00 |
| RN Level 2 – Pay Point 3 | $39.06 | $1,484.30 |
| RN Level 2 – Pay Point 4+ | $39.70 | $1,508.60 |
| RN Level 3 – Pay Point 1 | $40.98 | $1,557.20 |
| RN Level 3 – Pay Point 2 | $41.73 | $1,585.80 |
| RN Level 3 – Pay Point 3 | $42.45 | $1,613.20 |
| RN Level 3 – Pay Point 4+ | $43.21 | $1,642.10 |
| RN Level 4 – Grade 1 | $46.77 | $1,777.30 |
| RN Level 4 – Grade 2 | $50.12 | $1,904.60 |
| RN Level 4 – Grade 3 | $53.05 | $2,015.80 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 1 | $47.19 | $1,793.40 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 2 | $49.70 | $1,888.70 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 3 | $53.05 | $2,015.80 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 4 | $56.35 | $2,141.40 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 5 | $62.16 | $2,361.90 |
| RN Level 5 – Grade 6 | $68.01 | $2,584.20 |
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman website Pay Guide: Nurses Award MA000034 (from 1 Jul 2025).
For penalty and overtime rates for weekends, public holidays and certain shifts, see full breakdown on Fair Work penalty and overtime rates.
Queensland Health nurses and midwives are covered by the State Award 2015 and its enterprise agreements (EB11, EB12). If you’re not covered by these agreements, check the Aged Care Award 2020 (for personal carers and some nurses in aged care) or the Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2020 (for nurses in private schools).
Comparison Insights
1. Queensland Health (Public – EB11 vs EB12)
- Current (EB11, 2025):
Starts at $41.74/hr ($1,586/wk) and progresses to $53.53/hr ($2,034/wk) by Year 7. - Incoming (EB12, staged from April 2025):
A 3% lift across the board. Year 1 rises to $42.99/hr ($1,633/wk); Year 7 rises to $55.14/hr ($2,096/wk). - Extra benefits: Public nurses also get 12.75% super, salary packaging, which can add significant extra earnings.
2. Ramsay Health Care (EBA 2023–2025)
- Starts at $39.96/hr ($1,518/wk) at RN1.1.
- By RN1.8, pay reaches $54.01/hr ($2,052/wk)
- Slightly behind Queensland Health at each stage
3. Mater Health QLD (EBA 2022-2025)
- Starts at $39.61/hr ($1,505/wk) at RN1.1.
- Progresses to $53.30/hr ($2,026/wk) at RN1.8.
- Slightly lower than Ramsay at mid-levels but catches up by RN1.7–1.8.
4. Overall Comparison
| Employer | Entry-Level (Year 1 / RN1.1) | Senior-Level (Year 7) |
|---|---|---|
| Qld Health EB11 (2025) | $41.74/hr — $1,586/wk | $53.53/hr — $2,034/wk |
| Qld Health EB12 (from Apr 2025) | $42.99/hr — $1,633/wk | $55.14/hr — $2,096/wk |
| Ramsay QLD | $39.96/hr — $1,518/wk | $51.55/hr — $1,959/wk |
| Mater QLD | $39.61/hr — $1,505/wk | $51.33/hr — $1,951/wk |
Key Takeaways
- Public > Private: Queensland Health pays consistently higher hourly/weekly rates, especially after EB12’s April 2025 rise.
- Gap size: Entry–mid career nurses earn $70–$160 more per week in public, plus better super & packaging.
- Penalties matter: Public sector Sunday/public holiday penalties make a huge difference, often pushing real-world earnings far above base pay.
Helpful Tools & Resources
Enterprise Agreement & Award Information
- Queensland Health EB11 Agreement — Official QIRC agreement with current pay rates
- Queensland Health EB12 Update — QNMU summary of the proposed EB12 deal
- Queensland Health Wage Rates (Nursing Stream) — Official Queensland Health pay scales for nurses and midwives
- Queensland Health Salary Packaging — Tax-free packaging options available to QLD Health employees
- Ramsay Health Care Queensland Nurses & Midwives Agreement 2023–2025 (FWC) — Current private sector agreement covering Greenslopes, Sunshine Coast, John Flynn, and Cairns Private
- Mater Misericordiae Ltd Queensland Nurses & Midwives Agreement (FWC) — Agreement covering Mater Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, and Mackay
- Fair Work Nurses Award Pay Guide — Covers nurses not under state award or enterprise agreements
- Fair Work Pay Calculator — Check minimum pay rates, penalties, and overtime
Job Search
- Queensland Health Careers — Official QLD Health job listings and graduate programs
Professional Development
- Queensland Nurses & Midwives’ Union (QNMU) — Union education, training, and career resources
Explore more Registered Nurse Pay Guides: Registered Nurse Salary NSW 2025 or Registered Nurse Salary Victoria 2025
Disclaimer:
The information in this guide is for general purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, pay rates, benefits, and conditions can vary by employer, workplace agreement, and individual circumstances. Illustrative examples are provided for information only and may not reflect your exact situation. Nothing here should be taken as financial, legal, or employment advice. For legally enforceable pay and entitlements, always check the relevant Award, enterprise agreement, or Fair Work Commission guidance.