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.
Nurse 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
$32.09
$40.11
$1,219.42
$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 pay point 5 | Registered Nurse level 1, pay point 5 (5th year; pay point 8 and thereafter is $38.57/hr) | $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 |
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).
$48.14/hr
$56.16/hr
$64.18/hr
Am I Being Underpaid as a Nurse?
The Nurses Award covers nurses in private hospitals, aged care, clinics and other national-system employers. Nurses in state public hospitals are generally covered by a state award or state agreement, not this award. NSW public-health nurses, for example, are on the Public Health System Nurses' and Midwives' (State) Award 2025. 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
More on the Nurses Award
Nurses Award (MA000034) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
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
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 2x ($64.18/hr) at RN Year 1 rates.
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