Northern Territory Registered Nurse Pay 2025–26
NT registered nurses are paid on the N-band scale (a registered nurse is N2), and the Territory pays some of the strongest remote and retention money in the country on top — worth tens of thousands a year in remote roles.
In Northern Territory public health, a registered nurse earns from $1,159.50 per week ($60,501 a year) to $2,065.98 ($107,800) across the scale — before shift penalties, allowances and overtime.
Becoming a registered nurse
A Registered Nurse (RN, Division 1) practises to the full scope of nursing — assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating care, autonomously and in teams. RNs delegate to and supervise Enrolled Nurses and AINs, and stay accountable for the decision to delegate.
Full pathway: how to become a registered nurse in Australia →
Pay scale
Base rates, in force from 19 August 2025 — before penalties, allowances and overtime. Entry/each step shown (19 August 2025).
| Step | Weekly | Hourly | Annualised |
|---|---|---|---|
| N2F - Registered Nurse/Midwife in Training (75% of N2) | $1,159.50 | $30.51 | $60,501 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 1 | $1,545.94 | $40.68 | $80,665 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 2 | $1,629.17 | $42.87 | $85,008 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 3 | $1,712.39 | $45.06 | $89,350 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 4 | $1,795.62 | $47.25 | $93,693 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 5 | $1,892.62 | $49.81 | $98,754 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 6 | $1,965.44 | $51.72 | $102,554 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 7 | $2,045.32 | $53.82 | $106,722 |
| N2 (Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife) increment 8 | $2,065.98 | $54.37 | $107,800 |
Ways to earn more
- Move up the N2 increments — the base RN scale runs $1,545.94 to $2,065.98/wk before any penalties.
- Get a recognised post-graduate qualification in a relevant work unit: the Post Graduate Allowance adds 4% (conversion/Grad Cert), 4.5% (Grad Diploma) or 5.5% (Master's/Doctorate) of the maximum N2 rate — about $82.64, $92.97 or $113.63/wk respectively (cl 31), paid fortnightly and counted for super.
- Earn an Exemplary Practice award: EP1 is 6% (~$107.74/wk) and EP2 is 13% (~$233.43/wk) of the fourth N2 pay point.
- Take charge of a ward when no Nurse 3-6 is rostered: for shifts over 5 hours the Shift Responsibility Allowance pays you up to the N3.1 rate, with penalties at the N3 rate.
- Load up afternoon (17%), night (25%), Saturday (50%) and Sunday (100% — double time) shifts; public holidays pay an extra 150% on top of ordinary pay.
- Step up to the senior clinical grades (N3 from $2,130.64/wk) — the largest jump beyond your increments.
- In a remote posting, stack the Attraction & Retention Incentive (up to $9,000 over 24 months) and a 100% rental concession on top, and salary-package ~$11,660/yr tax-free.
Allowances you can claim
On top of base pay — the allowances most relevant to this role.
Where it leads next
Step up from here: Senior clinical roles — CNS, CNC, Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner · Nurse management — NUM, Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing — see exactly what each step takes →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse earn in Northern Territory?
What is the starting registered nurse salary in Northern Territory?
Do Northern Territory nurses get paid more for nights and weekends?
Annual, parental, long-service and study leave, plus overtime, on-call and the full allowance list, are set out in the Northern Territory nurse pay & conditions guide.
Pay figures are drawn from the Northern Territory Public Sector Nurses and Midwives' 2022-2026 Enterprise Agreement. Confirm your exact classification, step and allowances against the current instrument and your payslip.