Nurse Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Nurses earn at least $32.09/hr (RN Year 1), $40.11/hr casual — about $1,219 a week full-time — under the Nurses Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Nurse Pay Rate
Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034)
Nurses provide healthcare, treatment, and patient care in hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities, and community health settings.
$32.09
Base rate/hr
$40.11
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$32.09
Hourly (Casual)
$40.11
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,219.42
Annual (Full-Time)
$63,409.84
What Award Covers Nurses?
Nurses in Australia are generally covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some nurses may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
Nurse Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RN Year 1 | Registered Nurse (year 1) | $32.09 | $40.11 | $1,219.42 | $63,409.84 |
| RN Year 2 | Registered Nurse (year 2) | $32.75 | $40.94 | $1,244.50 | $64,714.00 |
| RN Year 3 | Registered Nurse (year 3) | $33.55 | $41.94 | $1,274.90 | $66,294.80 |
| RN Year 4 | Registered Nurse (year 4) | $34.45 | $43.06 | $1,309.10 | $68,073.20 |
| RN Year 5+ | Registered Nurse (5+ years) | $35.51 | $44.39 | $1,349.38 | $70,167.76 |
| EN Year 1 | Enrolled Nurse (year 1) | $30.00 | $37.50 | $1,140.00 | $59,280.00 |
| EN Year 5+ | Enrolled Nurse (5+ years) | $31.56 | $39.45 | $1,199.28 | $62,362.56 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Nurse Pay Rate
Casual nurses receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $32.09/hr to $40.11/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual nurse working 38 hours per week would earn $79,257.36 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Nurse Pay Rate
Part-time nurses receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($32.09/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Nurse Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when nurses work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for RN Year 1 permanent employees ($32.09/hr base).
Saturday
$48.14/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$56.16/hr
1.75x base
Public Holiday
$80.23/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Nurse?
Most nurses in the public sector are covered by enterprise agreements with rates above the award minimum. Private sector nurses should check they are receiving at least the award rate for their classification.
If you earn less than $32.09/hr as a full-time or part-time nurse, or less than $40.11/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse | $32.09/hr | $40.11/hr | $63,409.84 | MA000034 |
| Midwife | $32.09/hr | $40.11/hr | $63,409.84 | MA000034 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nurse get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a nurse in Australia is $32.09/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $40.11/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Nurses Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a nurse?
Under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), the minimum wage for a nurse starts at $32.09/hr (RN Year 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,219.42/week or $63,409.84/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers nurses?
Nurses in Australia are generally covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some nurses may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a nurse?
A casual nurse receives $40.11/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $32.09/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a nurse?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, nurses receive: Saturday 1.5x ($48.14/hr), Sunday 1.75x ($56.16/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($80.23/hr) at RN Year 1 rates.
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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.
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