Rates of Pay in OZ

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I've been researching rates of pay in Melbourne, as I plan to move there next winter if everything goes okay. Although I am open to other parts of Australia too...the whole country seems so beautiful.

I have been talking to one recruiter (I know, I have big hesitations regarding recruiters), she tells me that as a grade 1, year 1 nurse, I'd make about $675per week. Then I went to this site:

http://www.wagenet.gov.au/WageNet/Search/View.asp?doccode=AW784047&doctype=AW&quickview=Y

which states that the minimum wage in OZ is about $15/hr.

I'm not going there to make big coin, but I'm just trying to make sense of this so I know what to expect.

$15/hr. on a 40 hour/week basis is about $600.

Does every hosptial pay differently? In Canada, every province pays differently, but the cities themselves pay a standard wage, no matter which hospital you work in. We also don't have private hospitals. So all this is kind of foreign.

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Specializes in ICU.

Every state pays differently but you SHOULD get paid according to your experience post registration.

What you see there is the "minimum" wage or the LEAST anyone anywhere in Victoria should be paid. (At least until little Johnny's IR laws come into effect - but that is another story:p)

Talaxandra will be able to tell you more about wages and conditions in Victoria. Me? Well let me tell you about sunny, lovely nurse short Queensland:D

We may not have the best wages in the country but we have golden beaches, sunny climate, the great barrier reef, Moreton Bay - one of the loveliest bays in the world and a laid-back lifestyle.

What more could you want??

Ps don't let those Victorians and South Adelaidians lead you astray - Queensland really is the best:D

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Specializes in ICU.

BTW - here is the link for the Victorian State Goverment recruiting

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/jobs/nurse.htm

and QLD is http//www.thinknursing.com

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Specializes in Med onc, med, surg, now in ICU!.

Living in NSW as I do, I have only ever researched NSW rates of pay. Suffice it to say I'm not moving to VIC! As an AIN in NSW I get the same rate as a first year nurse in Vic. On the plus side, you at least have your legislated staffing ratios.

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Thanks Gwenith...now I'm leaning closer towards Queensland. Perhaps you should look into recruiting if nursing falls thru? :chuckle

Bethem...as an assistant nurse you get paid the same as a first year nurse in VIC...then perhaps nurses get paid more in NSW. Is the cost of living higher?

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Specializes in Med onc, med, surg, now in ICU!.

When I am a new grad, I start on about $20.85 per hour as a base rate, guaranteed to rise 3% or so each year until 2008, and of course yearly increases commensurate to my experience. I live in Newcastle, where the cost of living is ... manageable, I really have nothing to compare it to because I've always lived here. Um, house prices are about $300000 - $500000 on average. It's a LOT cheaper than Sydney. The only thing is, although there are jobs upon jobs for nurses, it is hard to get jobs in other industries around Newcastle. As far as NSW in general goes, the closer you get to Sydney, the more you pay.

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Specializes in Medical.

All of Australia is fantastic (she says, placating the other Aussies), but Victoria is the best!

Seriously, it depends on what you're looking for. From a work point of view, Melbourne and Sydney have the largest acute tertiary hospitals, but I have friends working in rural Victoria, Tassie, NSW (city and rural), Queensland (ditto), SA (ditto again), remote WA, and Perth, and they all love it.

The cost of living is highest in Sydney, then Melbourne.

Wages in public hospitals differ from state to state, but are the same within the state. Private hospitals vary within groups, but are not significantly dissimilar.

For some reason my computer's chucked a wobbly and won't let me access the ANF's list of pay rates - I'll enter some pay grades tomorrow from a hard copy, to give you an idea of Victorian salaries. However, broadly speaking you get more money for seniority (up to nine years out), PM and night shift, weekends, and post-graduate qualifications relevant to your area of practice. In addition you can salary package/sacrifice ~$8700 PA (pro rata part time) to reduce your tax liability.

Full-time nurses on varying rosters get six weeks of annual leave a year (with leave loading or the average of your previous month's penalties, whichever is higher), plus five study days (which do not have to be for formal courses). Full-time nurses enrolled in a relevant course are also entitled to four hours per week study leave for 26 weeks of the year. ADOs accrue at a rate of 2 hours per week (full time staff only).

Allnurses is evil - I just popped in for a minute and now it's nearly 4AM! Will post pay rates tomorrow/today is possible. In the meantime, hope this helps!

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Specializes in Recovery Room (PACU), Surgical, ICU/CCU.

Starting pay is $21 an hour. You get more when you work afternoon (12.5% more) or night shifts (15% more) and 50% more if you work weekends. Everyone is moving up here from Victoria and Sydney and Tasmania. So we need more nurses :nurse: . Average temperature here is about 25-28 degrees celsius and miles and miles of beautiful beaches. If you want the best of both worlds, work in Tweed Heads (northern most part of New South Wales) for the money and live on the Gold Coast (for the lifestyle).

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i arrived i melbourne with no job, got one in 24 hrs with an excellent nuring agency who specialise in critical care, i worked 3 regular nights a week at the alfred hospital in ct icu, they payed me $40/hr, melbourne is fantastic, great atmosphere, food, lifestyle. the average wage if working for the hospital starting off was approx $21.00.

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All of Australia is fantastic (she says, placating the other Aussies), but Victoria is the best!

Seriously, it depends on what you're looking for. In addition you can salary package/sacrifice ~$8700 PA (pro rata part time) to reduce your tax liability.

Full-time nurses on varying rosters get six weeks of annual leave a year (with leave loading or the average of your previous month's penalties, whichever is higher), plus five study days (which do not have to be for formal courses). QUOTE]

hehe...Victoria is the best, hey? I can't wait to see those beaches. I would love to learn how to surf and live in a city (my small town life is quite boring).

How does this salary package/sacrifice work?

And does one have to work a full year first before aqcuiring the 6 weeks leave?

Thanks for everyone's input!!

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Specializes in ICU.

Depends on where you work as to how soon you can get leave. Usually they ask at least 6 months but it is cumulative and so depends on circumstances. If though, you work as an agency you will get a higher per diem rate but no paid holidays. Agency are considered "casual" staff therefore they are not entitled to benefits such as paid sick leave or paid holidays.

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Hello,

How much is taken off in taxes for each pay? What are the tax brackets?

I'm from Ontario, Canada, and would like to compare the difference. Any information wold be great!

Thanks

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