What Is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Australia?

Overview

Taking in the different definitions across the states and territories of Australia, a clinical nurse consultant is a registered nurse who, within a clinical unit or area of practice, leads nursing care, upholds quality standards, offers expert support to other nurses, and manages complex patient cases.

Their purpose is to lead the "doing" side of nursing. Clinical nurse consultants are local experts who other nurses turn to for guidance and help. As well as providing direct care as required, they coordinate services and take responsibility for the overall quality of nursing care.

The role is the nursing equivalent to jobs like retail store manager, construction site foreman, head chef, chief mechanic, and IT project manager. They offer expertise and leadership, consult widely, do research and introduce innovations, support education and training, do strategic planning, and strive to improve standards and practices.

Definitions

Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNS) is a commonly designated position in Australia's healthcare system. The public sector in each state or territory defines this nursing classification within their enterprise agreements, or at least associates the role with a nursing level. Here's how the role, referred to as 'Clinical Consultant' in Victoria and 'Nurse Consultant' in South Australia, is defined in each jurisdiction.

New South Wales

In New South Wales, a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) is a registered nurse who provides expert clinical consultancy within a specialty area. The role includes complex clinical practice, education, research, and contribution to clinical service planning and management.

CNC roles are structured across three grades. Grade 1 focuses on expert clinical practice with participation in direct patient care. Grade 2 involves broader clinical consultancy and responsibility for formalised clinical supervision processes. Grade 3 operates at a strategic level, with responsibility for complex projects and service-wide planning.

Source: Clinical Nurse / Midwife Consultants - List of Domains and Functions

Victoria

In Victoria, a Clinical Consultant is a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife appointed to provide specialist clinical advisory and developmental services. The role involves expert consultancy, development of clinical resources, and participation in service improvement and research activities.

The role is classified from Clinical Consultant A to E, reflecting increasing scope, responsibility, and level of influence. Lower classifications generally focus on site or service-level consultancy, while higher classifications involve statewide, interstate, or national-level consultation and leadership.

Source: Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2028

Queensland

In Queensland, nursing and midwifery roles are classified under the Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health) Award – State 2015. The Award does not define a separate title-based category for “Clinical Nurse Consultant”. Instead, roles commonly described as clinical nurse consultant–type positions are classified by applying the Award’s Generic Level Statements.

These roles are typically assessed within the Nurse Grade 7 classification, alongside other advanced practice and leadership roles such as Nurse Unit Manager, Nurse Educator, Nurse Researcher, and Public Health Nurse. Classification depends on the scope of clinical coordination, leadership, education, research, and service impact demonstrated by the role, rather than the job title alone.

Nurse Grade 7 includes multiple pay points, with progression determined in accordance with the Award and the applicable Certified Agreement.

Source: Queensland Health Nursing and Midwifery Classification Structure

Western Australia

In Western Australia, “Clinical Nurse Consultant” (CNC) is an approved standardised position title listed by WA Health. The Standardised Titles List standardises position names for workforce and HR use, and does not define duties, scope of practice, or industrial classifications.

CNC classification and employment conditions are set out in the WA Health System – Australian Nursing Federation Industrial Agreement 2024 (and related instruments), including pay, allowances, hours of work, and leave provisions.

Sources: Nursing and Midwifery Standardised Titles List | WA Nurses Industrial Agreement 2024

South Australia

In South Australia, a Nurse Consultant (Level 3) provides clinical expertise and leadership in nursing, directly cares for patients, coordinates health projects, and contributes to education and research. They are responsible for the quality and outcomes of their practice, ensuring consistency with policies and professional standards.

The position is categorised under 'Nurse/Midwife Level 3', for professionals with a minimum of three years post-registration experience. Advanced Nurse Consultant (Level 4) positions are also available. Nurse consultants demonstrate expertise and autonomy in decision-making within their area of practice. The role combines hands-on care, education, research, and leadership, alongside other roles like Nurse/Midwife Unit Manager and Educator.

Source: Nursing/Midwifery (South Australian Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2022

Tasmania

In Tasmania, a Clinical Nurse Consultant is defined as "a nurse who coordinates the delivery of care in a clinical unit and may provide direct care to selected patients/clients with complex care requirements and is accountable for standards of nursing care in a clinical unit." This position falls under Registered Nurse Level 3, which also includes Nurse Manager and Staff Development Nurse.

Tasmania also includes the position of Assistant Director of Nursing - Clinical (Registered Nurse Level 4), which is "a nurse who is responsible for the formulation, coordination and direction of policies for clinical nursing practice and is accountable for the standards of nursing care in an assigned number of clinical units."

Source: Nurses and Midwives (Tasmanian State Service) Award No. 4 of 2024

Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) is defined as an employee who is registered with the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board and is responsible for the quality of clinical nursing care provided in a ward, clinical unit, or to a specified group of patients or clients.

This role is classified under Registered Nurse/Midwife Level 3, which also includes positions such as Clinical Midwife Consultant, Nurse or Midwifery Educator, Nurse Manager, Nurse Coordinator, Advanced Practice Nurse, and Clinical Nurse Coordinator. Registered Nurse/Midwife Level 2 roles sit below this level, while Assistant Director of Nursing/Midwifery positions are classified at Level 4.

Source: ACT Public Sector Nursing and Midwifery Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026

Northern Territory

In the NT, CNCs fall within the Nurse 6 classification. This category is for nurses who "use expert professional knowledge and experience to lead the coordination of clinical care or coordinate service delivery within the defined practice area."

Nurse 6 also encompasses Midwife Consultants and Nurse Practitioners. It is positioned above Nurse 5, which includes Nurse Coordinators, Midwife Coordinators, and Nurse Practitioner Candidates, and below Nurse 7, which comprises Directors of Nursing/Midwifery and Nurse/Midwife Advisors.

Source: NT Public Sector Nurses and Midwives' 2022 - 2026 Enterprise Agreement

How Much Do Nurse Consultants Make?

Clinical Nurse Consultants in Australia earn an average salary of $128,802, with figures varying by state and territory. In 2024, salaries range from an average minimum of $118,693 to a maximum of $138,910. The Northern Territory offers the highest average pay at $144,733, while Tasmania offers the lowest at $104,151.

Table 1. Award pay for clinical nurse consultants in 2024

State	Min	Max	Avg
NSW	$123,032	$138,111	$130,572
VIC	$108,333	$149,387	$128,860
QLD	$128,701	$139,732	$134,217
WA	$117,851	$129,144	$123,498
SA	$121,537	$133,758	$127,648
TAS	$96,967	$111,334	$104,151
ACT	$115,743	$130,846	$123,295
NT	$141,168	$148,298	$144,733
AUS	$118,693	$138,910	$128,802

Updated: 18 November 2023. Averages for Australia are weighted by state populations. Source: Enterprise agreements or official state pay notifications for each state and territory.

CNCs see a substantial salary progression compared to general nurses. While entry-level RNs earn between $67,759 and $80,342 depending on the state, by their fifth year, average RN salaries range from $82,109 and $95,469. CNC earnings are significantly higher across the board.

6 Types of Nurses in Australia

To better understand what a clinical nurse consultant is, let's explore the jobs of six major groups of nurses, including consultants. Each type of nurse has a distinct purpose in Australia's healthcare system.

1. Registered nurse

Registered nurses constitute the majority of the nursing workforce. They are degree-qualified health professionals who directly care for patients, handling tasks such as administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, creating care plans, and providing emotional support.

The difference between a nurse and a nurse consultant is that a nurse focuses on routine, hands-on patient care. While nurses specialise and work autonomously in many capacities, a regular RN typically operates under the guidance of a CNC or other senior nurse.

Specialisation guides: anaesthesia, critical care, emergency, mental health, perioperative.

2. Clinical nurse specialist

Clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice nurse, usually with specialised expertise and relevant postgraduate qualifications. They are known as 'clinical nurses' in Queensland and South Australia, and as 'RN Level 2' in Western Australia and ACT. They provide expert advice, mentor staff, lead quality improvement initiatives, and directly care for patients in their specialty area.

A CNS role is often a stepping stone to becoming a CNC. While a CNS focuses on specialised care and mentoring within their field, a nurse consultant typically has a wider scope, involving strategic guidance and policy development.

3. Clinical nurse educator

Clinical nurse educators combine clinical expertise with teaching, focusing on preparing and mentoring the next generation of nurses. Their role involves developing and delivering educational programs, overseeing clinical practices, evaluating learning outcomes, and staying abreast of advancements in healthcare and educational methods.

A CNE is generally considered at the same level as a CNC, often commanding the same or similar pay but in a different line of work. Educators focus on education, curriculum development, and training within academic or clinical settings. Comparatively, education and training tends to be a more minor aspect of clinical consultancy work.

4. Clinical nurse consultant

A clinical nurse consultant is an advanced practice nurse who specialises in specific areas and provide leadership. The role requires more extensive experience and/or advanced education compared to clinical nurse specialist, a position achievable early in a nursing career.

While nurse managers focus on administration, CNCs concentrate on hands-on guidance and use of expertise. Their role also differs from nurse practitioners, who often work as relatively independent medical professionals.

5. Nurse unit manager

A nurse unit manager broadly oversees a nursing unit in a healthcare facility. Some of the duties are to manage nursing staff, oversee patient care, handle budgets, implement policies, and ensure healthcare regulations are followed.

Unit managers are typically at a comparable or higher pay grade compared to CNCs. Their role centres on administration and operational management. They are experienced nurses, usually with well developed administration skills.

6. Nurse practioner

A nurse practitioner is an experienced nurse who has completed a Master of Nursing Practice or equivalent. They are recognised for their high level of clinical independence. NPs diagnose and manage health conditions, prescribe medications, and lead specialised care.

NPs are generally at a higher pay grade than CNCs due to their extensive clinical role, similar to that of a general practitioner. They focus on direct patient diagnosis and treatment, with a reduced emphasis on coordinating and leading RNs compared to CNCs.

How Do I Become a Nurse Consultant?

To become a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Australia, you must first be a registered nurse with extensive experience. When you feel you are ready, you can start applying for clinical nurse consultant jobs. This high-paying senior role demands a combination of advanced practice nursing expertise and leadership.

Candidates for this role generally have advanced nursing qualifications, such as a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master's degree. So, to become a CNC, you would normally need to demonstrate:

Extensive experience in the field associated with the position you are applying for;
Postgraduate nursing qualifications and/or other professional development in nursing; and
Leadership ability, including supervisory experience and good communication skills.

Each position may have its unique requirements, but the emphasis is always on competence and a proven track record in clinical nursing. In New South Wales, a minimum of five years of post-registration experience is stipulated. You need to be ready for the demands of the job and able to demonstrate your abilities.