NSW Health Nurse Pay Calculator
Work out NSW Health nurse and midwife pay per shift under the Public Health System Nurses' and Midwives' (State) Award 2025, with 1 July 2026 rates.
Last verified: 26 September 2026For nurses and midwives employed by NSW Health — public hospitals, local health districts and other public health organisations — under the NSW state award, the Public Health System Nurses' and Midwives' (State) Award 2025. It is not the federal Nurses Award 2020, which covers private hospitals and aged care (see nurse pay rates in NSW).
NSW Health nurse pay rates from 1 July 2026
A 1st-year registered nurse earns $1,566.70 a week ($41.23 an hour) and an 8th-year RN earns $2,199.60 a week ($57.88 an hour). The hourly rate is the weekly rate divided by 38 (award cl 29). Rates include the 3% increase from 1 July 2026; the next 3% rise is due on 1 July 2027.
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery — 1st year | $1,248.60 | $32.86 |
| Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery — 4th year and thereafter | $1,369.90 | $36.05 |
| Enrolled Nurse — 1st year | $1,437.60 | $37.83 |
| Enrolled Nurse — 5th year and thereafter | $1,562.10 | $41.11 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 1st year | $1,566.70 | $41.23 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 2nd year | $1,651.70 | $43.47 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 3rd year | $1,737.00 | $45.71 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 4th year | $1,828.50 | $48.12 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 5th year | $1,919.20 | $50.51 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 6th year | $2,009.50 | $52.88 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 7th year | $2,112.80 | $55.60 |
| Registered Nurse/Midwife — 8th year and thereafter | $2,199.60 | $57.88 |
| Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist — Grade 1 | $2,289.00 | $60.24 |
| Clinical Nurse/Midwife Educator — Year 1 | $2,381.70 | $62.68 |
| Nursing/Midwifery Unit Manager — Level 1 | $2,759.70 | $72.62 |
Source: NSW Health Information Bulletin IB2026_018 (26 May 2026), Table 1. Midwife rates are identical to nurse rates. The calculator covers every grade listed in the dropdown.
Shift, weekend and public holiday rates
Shift type is set by the time the shift starts. Night shifts starting from 4pm to before 4am pay 20% extra. Saturday and Sunday rates replace the shift percentage rather than adding to it.
| When you work | Rate | Award clause |
|---|---|---|
| Day shift (starts 6am – before 10am), Mon–Fri | Base rate | cl 15(iii) |
| Afternoon shift starting 10am – before 1pm | +10% | cl 15(i) |
| Afternoon shift starting 1pm – before 4pm | +12.5% | cl 15(i) |
| Night shift starting 4pm – before 4am | +20% | cl 15(i) |
| Night shift starting 4am – before 6am | +10% | cl 15(i) |
| Saturday (midnight Fri – midnight Sat) | 150% (replaces shift %) | cl 15(iv) |
| Sunday (midnight Sat – midnight Sun) | 175% (replaces shift %) | cl 15(iv) |
| Public holiday — permanent staff | 150% + a day's annual leave, or elect 250% | cl 30(ii), cl 29 Pt I(v) |
| Casual loading (weekdays) | +10% | cl 29 Pt II A(ii) |
| Public holiday — casual | 250% (no 10% on top) | cl 29 Pt II A(v) |
| RN in charge of a ward or unit | $44.79 per shift | cl 12(v), Table 2 |
Source: Public Health System Nurses' and Midwives' (State) Award 2025 (NSW Industrial Relations Commission, 15 May 2026; in force 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028).
What this calculator does not include
Overtime (cl 25), on-call and recall (cl 12(ii)), continuing education allowance (cl 13), climatic and isolation allowances (cl 14), uniform and laundry allowances (cl 23), the 4-hour minimum for a public holiday paid in lieu of leave, tax and superannuation. Part-time and casual staff get the afternoon and night percentage only when the shift starts before 6am or finishes after 6pm (cl 15(i)); the calculator reads that as any shift that is not wholly between 6am and 6pm. If your payslip differs, check with your LHD payroll team or the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.