MA000034Nursing
Nurses Award
Nurses Award 2020
Who does this award cover?
The Nurses Award covers employees working in nursing, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant — 1st year | $27.65 | $34.56 | $1050.70 |
| Nursing Assistant — 2nd year | $28.09 | $35.11 | $1067.42 |
| Nursing Assistant — 3rd year and thereafter | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1084.52 |
| Nursing Assistant — experienced (Certificate III) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1119.10 |
| Student Enrolled Nurse — under 21 | $25.69 | $32.11 | $976.22 |
| Student Enrolled Nurse — 21 and over | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1024.86 |
| Enrolled Nurse — pay point 1 | $30.00 | $37.50 | $1140.00 |
| Enrolled Nurse — pay point 2 | $30.39 | $37.99 | $1154.82 |
| Enrolled Nurse — pay point 3 | $30.80 | $38.50 | $1170.40 |
| Enrolled Nurse — pay point 4 | $31.24 | $39.05 | $1187.12 |
| Enrolled Nurse — pay point 5 | $31.56 | $39.45 | $1199.28 |
| Registered Nurse — 4 year degree entry rate | $33.51 | $41.89 | $1273.38 |
| Registered Nurse — masters degree entry rate | $34.66 | $43.33 | $1317.08 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 1 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $1219.42 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 2 | $32.75 | $40.94 | $1244.50 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 3 | $33.55 | $41.94 | $1274.90 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 4 | $34.45 | $43.06 | $1309.10 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 5 | $35.51 | $44.39 | $1349.38 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 6 | $36.53 | $45.66 | $1388.14 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 7 | $37.59 | $46.99 | $1428.42 |
| Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 8 and thereafter | $38.57 | $48.21 | $1465.66 |
| Registered Nurse Level 2, pay point 1 | $39.59 | $49.49 | $1504.42 |
| Registered Nurse Level 2, pay point 2 | $40.22 | $50.28 | $1528.36 |
| Registered Nurse Level 2, pay point 3 | $40.92 | $51.15 | $1554.96 |
| Registered Nurse Level 2, pay point 4 and thereafter | $41.59 | $51.99 | $1580.42 |
| Registered Nurse Level 3, pay point 1 | $42.93 | $53.66 | $1631.34 |
| Registered Nurse Level 3, pay point 2 | $43.71 | $54.64 | $1660.98 |
| Registered Nurse Level 3, pay point 3 | $44.47 | $55.59 | $1689.86 |
| Registered Nurse Level 3, pay point 4 and thereafter | $45.27 | $56.59 | $1720.26 |
| Registered Nurse Level 4, grade 1 | $48.99 | $61.24 | $1861.62 |
| Registered Nurse Level 4, grade 2 | $52.50 | $65.63 | $1995.00 |
| Registered Nurse Level 4, grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $2111.66 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 1 | $49.44 | $61.80 | $1878.72 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 2 | $52.06 | $65.08 | $1978.28 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $2111.66 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 4 | $59.03 | $73.79 | $2243.14 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 5 | $65.11 | $81.39 | $2474.18 |
| Registered Nurse Level 5, grade 6 | $71.23 | $89.04 | $2706.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner — 1st year | $49.39 | $61.74 | $1876.82 |
| Nurse Practitioner — 2nd year and thereafter | $50.86 | $63.58 | $1932.68 |
Get plain-English answers on the Nurses Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000034 document — every clause, variation, and classification. Pro is $29.99/mo, cancel anytime.
Penalty rates
How casual overtime is calculated
One of the most common payroll questions under the Nurses Award: when a casual works overtime or weekend hours, does the 1.5× or 2× multiplier apply to the base rate, or to the 25%-loaded casual rate? The answer depends on how the award is drafted.
Method for the Nurses Award
Compounded — overtime multiplier applied to the 25%-loaded casual rate
Award defines 'casual hourly rate' = minimum hourly rate + 25% loading. Overtime and weekend rates are explicitly stated as a percentage of the casual hourly rate (e.g. 150% of the casual hourly rate for first 2 hours Mon–Sat).
| Method | Calculation | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additive | $37.59 × 175% | $65.78 |
| Compounded (used by this award) | $46.99 × 150% | $70.48 |
| Separate | $37.59 × 150% | $56.39 |
Break entitlements
| Shift length | Meal break | Rest break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | — | — | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | — | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
More on the Nurses Award
Nurses Award pay rates 2026-27
Every classification, junior and casual rate, penalty table and rate calculator.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in nursing
- Application for approval of the Karuna Hospice Services Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2026
- The Mary Ogilvy Homes Society Nursing & General Staff Agreement 2026
- Nurses (Mercy Palliative Care Ltd) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2028
- Wheatfields Incorporated Nursing Employees (aged care) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Melaleuca Home for the Aged Inc. Registered Nurse and Enrolled Nurse Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Genesis Cancer Care QLD Pty Limited Nurse Enterprise Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Nurses Award
Want the full MA000034 document?
This page covers the headline rates, penalties, and break rules. The full award has dozens more clauses: allowances, overtime formulas, rostering rules, dispute procedures, and classification descriptors. FairWork Mate answers plain-English questions grounded on every clause, with a citation back to the award on every answer.
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Free alerts when the Nurses Award pay rates are updated (annually on 1 July) or when the Fair Work Commission varies the award.