Nurses Award Pay Rates 2025-26
All pay rates under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) for 2025-26, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Nurses Award
MA000034 · Nursing
Common roles: Registered nurse, Enrolled nurse, Nurse practitioner, Clinical nurse, Midwife
$30.72
Base rate/hr
$38.40
Casual rate/hr
Classification Pay Rates — Nurses Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RN Level 1.1 | $30.72 | $38.40 | $1,167.36 | $60,702.72 |
| RN Level 1.2 | $31.85 | $39.81 | $1,210.30 | $62,935.60 |
| RN Level 1.3 | $32.98 | $41.23 | $1,253.24 | $65,168.48 |
| RN Level 2 | $34.70 | $43.38 | $1,318.60 | $68,567.20 |
| RN Level 3 | $37.12 | $46.40 | $1,410.56 | $73,349.12 |
| EN Level 1 | $26.58 | $33.23 | $1,010.04 | $52,522.08 |
| EN Level 2 | $27.41 | $34.26 | $1,041.58 | $54,162.16 |
Penalty Rates — Nurses Award
Saturday
$46.08/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$53.76/hr
1.75x base
Public Holiday
$76.80/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$34.56/hr
1.125x base
Night Shift
$35.33/hr
1.15x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$46.08/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$61.44/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($30.72/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
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 |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses Award | $30.72/hr | $38.40/hr | $53.76/hr | $76.80/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $54.23/hr |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $36.15/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nurses Award pay rate for 2025-26?
Under the Nurses Award (MA000034), the Level 1 base rate is $30.72/hr from 1 July 2025. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $38.40/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 $53.76/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Nurses Award?
Public holiday work under the Nurses Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $76.80/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.
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.
Learn more
Apprentice pay rates depend on your year of apprenticeship, age, and trade. See 2025-26 rates for electrical, plumbing, carpentry, automotive, and chef apprenticeships. Includes adult apprentice rates, tool allowances, and competency-based progression.
Salary to Hourly Rate Australia: How to Convert (2026 Calculator)Convert any annual salary to an hourly rate in Australia. Quick reference table for $30K–$200K salaries. Based on 38-hour standard work week. Free instant calculator.
Junior Pay Rates in Australia: What Workers Under 21 Must Be Paid (2026)Junior employees under 21 are paid a percentage of the adult minimum wage ($24.10/hr). See the exact rates by age (16-20), how awards set different percentages, when casual loading applies on top, and what happens when you turn 21.