Veterinary Nurse Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Veterinary Nurses earn at least $29.45/hr (Level 3), $36.81/hr casual — about $1,119 a week full-time — under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020. Every classification level, penalty rates below.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Veterinary Nurse Pay Rate
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118)
Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians with animal care, surgery preparation, anaesthesia monitoring, pathology, and client education in veterinary clinics and hospitals.
$29.45
Base rate/hr
$36.81
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$29.45
Hourly (Casual)
$36.81
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,119.10
Annual (Full-Time)
$58,193.20
What Award Covers Veterinary Nurses?
Veterinary Nurses in Australia are generally covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118). 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 veterinary 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).
View full Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award pay rates →
Veterinary Nurse Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory | No industry experience — up to 3 months | $25.74 | $32.18 | $978.12 | $50,862.24 |
| Level 1 | Works under direct supervision with regular close checking | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.72 | $52,245.44 |
| Level 2 | Limited discretion; animal-care knowledge needed | $28.24 | $35.30 | $1,073.12 | $55,802.24 |
| Level 3 | AQF Certificate III or trade-level knowledge and experience | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Level 4 | AQF Certificate IV — qualified veterinary nurse | $32.13 | $40.16 | $1,220.94 | $63,488.88 |
| Level 5 | Practice manager | $33.77 | $42.21 | $1,283.26 | $66,729.52 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award MA000118 cl 15.2 and Schedule A.2, rates from 1 July 2026. A veterinary nurse with a Certificate IV (AQF 4) is Level 4 ($32.13/hr); the $29.45/hr headline is Level 3 (AQF 3 or trade-level). Veterinary nurses in private practices are not covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award.
Casual Veterinary Nurse Pay Rate
Casual veterinary nurses receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $29.45/hr to $36.81/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 veterinary nurse working 38 hours per week would earn $72,736.56 (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 Veterinary Nurse Pay Rate
Part-time veterinary nurses receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($29.45/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.
Veterinary Nurse Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when veterinary nurses work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 3 permanent employees ($29.45/hr base).
Saturday
$44.18/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$58.90/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$73.63/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award (employees other than shiftworkers): Saturday rates apply to ordinary hours after 1pm — 150% for the first 3 hours and 200% after that (casuals 175% / 225%); Sunday 200% (casuals 225%); public holidays 250% (casuals 275%). The evening and early-morning figures on this site are the shiftworker rates: morning and afternoon shifts 115%, night shift 130%.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Veterinary Nurse?
Veterinary nurses are commonly underpaid across the industry. Issues include being paid below award minimums, unpaid overtime during emergencies, and not receiving proper penalty rates for weekend and after-hours work.
If you earn less than $29.45/hr as a full-time or part-time veterinary nurse, or less than $36.81/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Nurse | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr | $58,193.20 | MA000118 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a veterinary nurse get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a veterinary nurse in Australia is $29.45/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $36.81/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services 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 veterinary nurse?
Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118), the minimum wage for a veterinary nurse starts at $29.45/hr (Level 3 adult rate). This equates to $1,119.10/week or $58,193.20/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers veterinary nurses?
Veterinary Nurses in Australia are generally covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some veterinary nurses may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a veterinary nurse?
A casual veterinary nurse receives $36.81/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $29.45/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a veterinary nurse?
Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020, veterinary nurses receive: Saturday 1.5x ($44.18/hr), Sunday 2x ($58.90/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($73.63/hr) at Level 3 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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