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Midwife Pay Rate in ACT 2025-26

Minimum pay rates for midwives in Australian Capital Territory under the Nurses Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.

Last verified: 21 May 2026
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Midwife — Minimum Pay Rate (ACT)

Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034)

$31.35

Base rate/hr

$39.19

Casual rate/hr

Midwives provide care to women during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postnatal period. They work in hospitals, birth centres, and community settings.

Australian Capital Territory Note

ACT workers benefit from some of the highest average wages in Australia. The ACT also has additional public holidays.

Minimum Hourly Rates — Midwife

Employment TypeHourly RateWeekly (38hrs)Annual
Full-time (adult)$31.35/hr$1,191.30$61,947.60
Part-time (adult)$31.35/hrPro-rataPro-rata
Casual (incl. 25% loading)$39.19/hrVariesVaries

Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Nurses Award 2020.

Penalty Rates — Midwife

Saturday

$47.03/hr

1.5x base

Sunday

$54.86/hr

1.75x base

Public Holiday

$78.38/hr

2.5x base

Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($31.35/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).

Classification Levels — Nurses Award 2020

LevelDescriptionBase Rate/hrCasual Rate/hrAnnual (38hrs)
RN Level 1 (Year 1)Registered midwife — first year$31.35$39.19$61,947.60
RN Level 1 (Year 4+)Registered midwife — 4+ years experience$33.42$41.78$66,037.92
RN Level 2Clinical midwife / team leader$35.50$44.38$70,148.00
RN Level 3Midwifery unit manager / educator$37.80$47.25$74,692.80

View full Nurses Award 2020 pay rates →

Am I Being Underpaid as a Midwife?

Midwives frequently work irregular hours including overnight shifts. Common underpayment issues include incorrect shift penalty calculations and unpaid on-call time.

If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.

Check If You Are Underpaid →

Related Jobs Under the Same Award

JobBase RateCasual RateSunday
Nurse$30.71/hr$38.39/hr$53.74/hr

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a midwife get paid per hour in Australian Capital Territory?

The minimum hourly rate for a midwife in Australian Capital Territory is $31.35/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $39.19/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), effective from 1 July 2025.

What is the minimum wage for a midwife?

The minimum wage for a midwife is $31.35 per hour ($1,191.30 per week for a 38-hour week, or $61,947.60 per year). This is set by the Nurses Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.

What award covers midwives?

Midwives are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.

Do midwives get penalty rates on weekends?

Yes. Under the Nurses Award 2020, midwives receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($47.03/hr) and 1.75x on Sundays ($54.86/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($78.38/hr).

What is the casual rate for a midwife?

The casual rate for a midwife is $39.19/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $31.35/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.

How much should a 17 year old midwife get paid?

Midwives are registered health professionals and are not subject to junior rates. The Nurses Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.

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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.

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