Enrolled Nurses (ENs) are valued members of the clinical healthcare team, providing direct patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses. Working as an EN requires completing a Diploma of Nursing, representing a faster, vocational entry path into the nursing profession compared to the university degree required for RNs.
Under the Queensland Health Nurses and Midwives Certified Agreement (EB11), Enrolled Nurses are classified under Grade 2, progressing across five pay increments. This guide covers base wages, roster loadings, clinical scopes, and how to transition from EN to RN in Queensland.
The Enrolled Nurse (Grade 2) Pay Scale
In the Queensland public health system, Enrolled Nurse wages progress automatically each year based on cumulative hours of service.
The table below shows the base pay rates and annual equivalents for a standard 38-hour week:
| Classification Step (Grade 2) | Base Hourly Rate (AUD) | Base Weekly Rate (38 Hours) | Estimated Base Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2, Paypoint 1 | $35.00 | $1,330.00 | $69,160 |
| Grade 2, Paypoint 2 | $36.20 | $1,375.60 | $71,531 |
| Grade 2, Paypoint 3 | $37.40 | $1,421.20 | $73,902 |
| Grade 2, Paypoint 4 | $38.60 | $1,466.80 | $76,274 |
| Grade 2, Paypoint 5 | $39.80 | $1,512.40 | $78,641 |
Enrolled Nurse Advanced Practice (Grade 3)
Queensland Health recognizes Enrolled Nurses who take on advanced leadership, specialty competencies, or clinical supervision. These senior ENs are classified as Enrolled Nurse Advanced Practice (ENAP - Grade 3).
Unlike Grade 2 increments, progression to Grade 3 is not automatic and requires applying for a vacant position or undergoing clinical assessment. Grade 3 pay points are structured as:
| Grade 3 Step | Base Hourly Rate (AUD) | Base Weekly Rate (38 Hours) | Estimated Base Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3, Paypoint 1 | $41.00 | $1,458.00 | $81,016 |
| Grade 3, Paypoint 2 | $42.20 | $1,513.60 | $83,388 |
| Grade 3, Paypoint 3 (Ceiling) | $43.50 | $1,570.20 | $85,956 |
Shift Loadings: Maximising Your EN Salary
Enrolled Nurses working rotating rosters in wards, aged care facilities, and community health clinics receive standard penalty loadings on top of their base hourly rate:
- Afternoon Shifts (finishing after 6:00 PM): 12.5% loading
- Night Shifts (starting after 6:00 PM or before 6:00 AM): 20.0% loading
- Saturday Shifts (all day Saturday): 50.0% loading
- Sunday Shifts (all day Sunday): 100.0% loading
- Public Holidays: 150.0% loading
For example, a mid-career EN at Paypoint 3 earning a base rate of $37.40/hr will make $56.10/hr on Saturdays and $74.80/hr on Sundays. Working a regular rotating shift pattern easily adds $8,000 to $14,000 to their gross yearly earnings. Check your estimated earnings using our QLD Nurse Salary Calculator.
Vocational Diploma Pathway: HLT54121 Curriculum & Requirements
Becoming an Enrolled Nurse in Queensland requires completing the national Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121). Key criteria to graduate and register include:
- Duration: Typically 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study.
- TAFE Queensland Option: Offered at numerous campuses state-wide, often funded under Fee-Free TAFE programs for eligible students.
- Placement Hours: Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours of unpaid clinical placement in real-world hospitals and aged care settings.
- AHPRA Registration: Graduates must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and demonstrate English language proficiency to obtain registration.
Enrolled Nurse Scope of Practice in QLD
The scope of practice for an Enrolled Nurse differs from that of a Registered Nurse:
- Supervision: ENs work under the direct or indirect supervision of an RN. The RN retains overall clinical accountability for patient planning and assessment.
- Medication Endorsement: Modern ENs who complete an NMBA-approved Diploma are qualified to administer medications. If a nurse completed their training prior to these changes, they may have a notation restricting medication administration until they complete an bridging module.
- Clinical Context: ENs monitor patient parameters, assist with daily activities, perform wound dressings, and report clinical changes directly to the team leader.
Transitioning from EN to RN (Upskilling Pathway)
Many Enrolled Nurses choose to upskill to Registered Nurses to expand their clinical autonomy and access higher salary scales. The pathway is highly structured:
- University Enrolment: ENs apply for a Bachelor of Nursing degree.
- Advanced Standing (Credits): Most Queensland universities (such as QUT, UQ, USQ, and Griffith) offer advanced standing to practicing ENs, recognizing their Diploma and clinical hours. This typically reduces the Bachelor of Nursing from 3 years to 2 years (granting up to 1 year of academic credit).
- Financial Jump: Moving from the top of the EN scale ($39.80/hr) to the starting graduate RN scale ($43.20/hr) represents an immediate base pay rise, with a much higher long-term salary ceiling ($55.00/hr as a senior classroom RN, or up to $77.00/hr as a Nurse Practitioner).
Read our Registered Nurse Salary QLD Guide for details on RN increments, and our Graduate Nurse Salary QLD Guide for transitional graduate program details.
Superannuation and Allowances for QLD ENs
Queensland Health public sector ENs benefit from:
- Matched 18% Superannuation: If you contribute 6% of your salary, the government matches it with a 12% contribution.
- Uniform & Laundry Allowances: Weekly allowances paid to offset uniform costs and maintenance.
- Rural Incentives: Subsidised rent and locality allowances are available if working in remote QLD communities.
Disclaimer: Pay scales and conditions are based on the Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (EB11). Actual wages depend on individual rosters, employment arrangements, taxes, and superannuation settings.