Mental health nurse salary: award rates and minimum pay under the Nurses Award

Understanding the mental health nurse salary under the Nurses Award

When researching a mental health nurse salary in Australia, the first step is to identify the applicable pay floor. Most mental health nurses are registered nurses covered by the Nurses Award 2020, a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. This award sets minimum wages, penalty rates, and conditions. The rates in this guide apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, following the Annual Wage Review 2026.

The legal minimum vs the award rate

The national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026) is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. However, this is a backstop for award-free workers. For mental health nurses, the award rate is the legal minimum, and it is higher. The Nurses Award 2020 covers classifications from nursing assistant to registered nurse level 5. A mental health nurse typically falls under Registered nurse—level 1 or higher, depending on qualifications and experience.

Award rates for registered nurses (including mental health)

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guide for the Nurses Award. For a full-time registered nurse at level 1, pay point 1, the minimum weekly rate is $1,219.50, equating to $32.09 per hour. Rates increase with each pay point and level:

• RN level 1, pay point 8 and thereafter: $38.57 per hour
• RN level 2, pay point 1: $39.59 per hour
• RN level 3, pay point 1: $42.93 per hour
• RN level 4, grade 1: $48.99 per hour
• RN level 5, grade 6: $71.23 per hour

These are minimums. Many mental health nurses are classified at level 2 or above, especially those with postgraduate qualifications or specialised roles. The award also includes separate rates for nurses with a four-year degree ($33.51/h) or a masters degree ($34.66/h) as an entry point.

Casual loading and penalty rates

Casual mental health nurses receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For an RN level 1, pay point 1, the casual rate is $40.11 per hour. Penalty rates apply for work on Saturdays (150% of ordinary rate), Sundays (175%), and public holidays (200%). These are set out in the award and must be paid in addition to the base rate.

Superannuation

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is not part of the quoted hourly or weekly rates; it is an additional payment by the employer to the nurse's super fund. For a full-time RN level 1 earning $1,219.50 per week, the employer contributes about $146.34 per week in super.

How actual salaries compare

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. This is a broad average across all occupations. A mental health nurse's actual salary may be higher than the award minimum due to enterprise agreements, experience, or specialist roles. However, the ABS does not publish a specific median for mental health nurses. Without a dedicated survey, we cannot provide a reliable average. The award rates remain the only publicly mandated figures.

Enterprise agreements and negotiated salaries

Some hospitals and health services have enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and must pass the better-off-overall test. If you are covered by such an agreement, the agreement rate applies. Always check your employment contract or union for the exact rate.

For more detail on how minimum wages are set, see How the figures work. To compare rates across classifications, visit Rate tables.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage for a mental health nurse in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the award or agreement that covers the nurse. Most mental health nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum hourly rates starting at $32.09 for a registered nurse at level 1, pay point 1 (from 1 August 2026). Higher classifications and experience attract higher minimum rates. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is the floor, but award-free mental health nursing roles are rare.

Do mental health nurses receive penalty rates for weekends and public holidays?

Yes, under the Nurses Award 2020, penalty rates apply. For a registered nurse at level 1, pay point 1, the Saturday rate is $48.14 per hour (150%), Sunday $56.16 (175%), and public holidays $64.18 (200%). These rates are calculated on the minimum hourly rate and apply to ordinary hours worked on those days.

How does superannuation affect a mental health nurse's total pay?

Employers must pay superannuation contributions of at least 12% of ordinary time earnings on top of the nurse's base salary. For example, on the minimum award rate of $32.09 per hour, the employer adds about $3.85 per hour in super. This is not deducted from the nurse's pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.