Nurses Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Nurses Award — Key Rates at a Glance
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). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Nurses Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Sunday 1.75x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Afternoon Shift 1.125x | Night Shift 1.15x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RN Level 1.1 | $30.72/hr | $46.08/hr | $53.76/hr | $76.80/hr | $34.56/hr | $35.33/hr | $46.08/hr | $61.44/hr |
| RN Level 1.2 | $31.85/hr | $47.78/hr | $55.74/hr | $79.63/hr | $35.83/hr | $36.63/hr | $47.78/hr | $63.70/hr |
| RN Level 1.3 | $32.98/hr | $49.47/hr | $57.71/hr | $82.45/hr | $37.10/hr | $37.93/hr | $49.47/hr | $65.96/hr |
| RN Level 2 | $34.70/hr | $52.05/hr | $60.73/hr | $86.75/hr | $39.04/hr | $39.91/hr | $52.05/hr | $69.40/hr |
| RN Level 3 | $37.12/hr | $55.68/hr | $64.96/hr | $92.80/hr | $41.76/hr | $42.69/hr | $55.68/hr | $74.24/hr |
| EN Level 1 | $26.58/hr | $39.87/hr | $46.52/hr | $66.45/hr | $29.90/hr | $30.57/hr | $39.87/hr | $53.16/hr |
| EN Level 2 | $27.41/hr | $41.12/hr | $47.97/hr | $68.53/hr | $30.84/hr | $31.52/hr | $41.12/hr | $54.82/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurses Award | $30.72/hr | $53.76/hr (1.75x) | $76.80/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Nurses Award?
The Nurses Award (MA000034) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Afternoon Shift, Night Shift, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.125x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for nursing workers?
Under the Nurses Award, permanent employees receive 1.75x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $30.72/hr, this means $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.
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