Minimum pay rates for veterinary nurses in Queensland under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027)
$25.68
Base rate/hr
$32.10
Casual rate/hr
Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians with animal care, surgery preparation, anaesthesia monitoring, pathology, and client education in veterinary clinics and hospitals.
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) | $25.68/hr | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Part-time (adult) | $25.68/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $32.10/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.
Saturday
$38.52/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.36/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.20/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($25.68/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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Level 3 | Trainee veterinary nurse | $25.15 | $31.44 | $49,696.40 |
| Support Level 4 | Qualified veterinary nurse | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Support Level 5 | Senior veterinary nurse | $26.74 | $33.43 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 1 | Head veterinary nurse / practice manager | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
View full Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 pay rates →
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 think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $24.73/hr | $30.91/hr | $49.46/hr |
| Physiotherapist | $31.35/hr | $39.19/hr | $62.70/hr |
| Psychologist | $33.42/hr | $41.78/hr | $66.84/hr |
| Dental Receptionist | $25.15/hr | $31.44/hr | $50.30/hr |
The minimum hourly rate for a veterinary nurse in Queensland is $25.68/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $32.10/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a veterinary nurse is $25.68 per hour ($975.84 per week for a 38-hour week, or $50,743.68 per year). This is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Veterinary Nurses are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). 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 Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, veterinary nurses receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($38.52/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($51.36/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($64.20/hr).
The casual rate for a veterinary nurse is $32.10/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $25.68/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
Veterinary nurses hold Certificate IV or higher qualifications. Junior rates do not apply. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
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