Nurses Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Nurses Award
MA000034 · Nursing
Common roles: Registered nurse, Enrolled nurse, Nurse practitioner, Clinical nurse, Midwife
$27.65
Base rate/hr
$34.56
Casual rate/hr
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Classification Pay Rates — Nurses Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant Yr 1 | $27.65 | $34.56 | $1,050.70 | $54,636.40 |
| Nursing Assistant Yr 2 | $28.09 | $35.11 | $1,067.42 | $55,505.84 |
| Nursing Assistant Yr 3+ | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
| Nursing Assistant (Cert III) | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $58,193.20 |
| Student EN <21 | $25.69 | $32.11 | $976.22 | $50,763.44 |
| Student EN 21+ | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1,024.86 | $53,292.72 |
| EN Pay Point 1 | $30.00 | $37.50 | $1,140.00 | $59,280.00 |
| EN Pay Point 2 | $30.39 | $37.99 | $1,154.82 | $60,050.64 |
| EN Pay Point 3 | $30.80 | $38.50 | $1,170.40 | $60,860.80 |
| EN Pay Point 4 | $31.24 | $39.05 | $1,187.12 | $61,730.24 |
| EN Pay Point 5 | $31.56 | $39.45 | $1,199.28 | $62,362.56 |
| RN 4yr Degree Entry | $33.51 | $41.89 | $1,273.38 | $66,215.76 |
| RN Masters Entry | $34.66 | $43.33 | $1,317.08 | $68,488.16 |
| RN Level 1.1 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $1,219.42 | $63,409.84 |
| RN Level 1.2 | $32.75 | $40.94 | $1,244.50 | $64,714.00 |
| RN Level 1.3 | $33.55 | $41.94 | $1,274.90 | $66,294.80 |
| RN Level 1.4 | $34.45 | $43.06 | $1,309.10 | $68,073.20 |
| RN Level 1.5 | $35.51 | $44.39 | $1,349.38 | $70,167.76 |
| RN Level 1.6 | $36.53 | $45.66 | $1,388.14 | $72,183.28 |
| RN Level 1.7 | $37.59 | $46.99 | $1,428.42 | $74,277.84 |
| RN Level 1.8+ | $38.57 | $48.21 | $1,465.66 | $76,214.32 |
| RN Level 2.1 | $39.59 | $49.49 | $1,504.42 | $78,229.84 |
| RN Level 2.2 | $40.22 | $50.28 | $1,528.36 | $79,474.72 |
| RN Level 2.3 | $40.92 | $51.15 | $1,554.96 | $80,857.92 |
| RN Level 2.4+ | $41.59 | $51.99 | $1,580.42 | $82,181.84 |
| RN Level 3.1 | $42.93 | $53.66 | $1,631.34 | $84,829.68 |
| RN Level 3.2 | $43.71 | $54.64 | $1,660.98 | $86,370.96 |
| RN Level 3.3 | $44.47 | $55.59 | $1,689.86 | $87,872.72 |
| RN Level 3.4+ | $45.27 | $56.59 | $1,720.26 | $89,453.52 |
| RN Level 4 Grade 1 | $48.99 | $61.24 | $1,861.62 | $96,804.24 |
| RN Level 4 Grade 2 | $52.50 | $65.63 | $1,995.00 | $103,740.00 |
| RN Level 4 Grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $2,111.66 | $109,806.32 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 1 | $49.44 | $61.80 | $1,878.72 | $97,693.44 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 2 | $52.06 | $65.08 | $1,978.28 | $102,870.56 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $2,111.66 | $109,806.32 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 4 | $59.03 | $73.79 | $2,243.14 | $116,643.28 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 5 | $65.11 | $81.39 | $2,474.18 | $128,657.36 |
| RN Level 5 Grade 6 | $71.23 | $89.04 | $2,706.74 | $140,750.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner Yr 1 | $49.39 | $61.74 | $1,876.82 | $97,594.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner Yr 2+ | $50.86 | $63.58 | $1,932.68 | $100,499.36 |
Penalty Rates — Nurses Award
$41.47/hr
$48.39/hr
$55.30/hr
$31.11/hr
$31.80/hr
$41.47/hr
$55.30/hr
Break Rules — Nurses Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
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Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses Award | $27.65/hr | $34.56/hr | $48.39/hr | $55.30/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $62.57/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
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
What is the Nurses Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Nurses Award (MA000034), the Nursing Assistant Yr 1 base rate is $27.65/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $34.56/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Nurses Award?
Permanent employees under the Nurses Award receive 1.75x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $48.39/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Nurses Award?
Public holiday work under the Nurses Award is paid at 2x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $55.30/hr.
Who is covered by the Nurses Award?
The Nurses Award covers employees in the nursing industry. Common job titles include Registered nurse, Enrolled nurse, Nurse practitioner, Clinical nurse, Midwife, Nursing assistant.
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