Minimum pay rates for midwives in Queensland under the Nurses Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Nurses 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.
Queensland Note
Queensland workers are entitled to state-specific public holidays including Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in Brisbane.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $31.35/hr | $1,191.30 | $61,947.60 |
| Part-time (adult) | $31.35/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $39.19/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Nurses Award 2020.
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).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (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 2 | Clinical midwife / team leader | $35.50 | $44.38 | $70,148.00 |
| RN Level 3 | Midwifery unit manager / educator | $37.80 | $47.25 | $74,692.80 |
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 →| Job | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse | $30.71/hr | $38.39/hr | $53.74/hr |
The minimum hourly rate for a midwife in Queensland 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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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