Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide: Award Rates and Minimum Pay Under the Nurses Award 2020

Understanding the nurse practitioner salary under Australian awards

When searching for a nurse practitioner salary, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by a modern award and higher amounts that may apply under an enterprise agreement or individual contract. For most nurse practitioners in Australia, the relevant award is the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), which covers employers in the health industry and employees engaged in nursing duties as defined in Schedule A of the award.

Award rates for nurse practitioners

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for the Nurses Award that includes specific minimum rates for nurse practitioners. As of the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, the minimum weekly and hourly rates are:

• Nurse practitioner – 1st year: $1,877.00 per week ($49.39 per hour)
• Nurse practitioner – 2nd year: $1,932.70 per week ($50.86 per hour)

These rates apply to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time and casual employees receive the same hourly base rate, with casuals also entitled to a 25% loading (bringing the casual hourly rate to $61.74 for a first-year nurse practitioner).

How the award rate compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The nurse practitioner award rate is nearly double that, reflecting the advanced qualifications and responsibilities of the role. The award rate is the floor for award-covered employees; if you are award-free (unlikely for a nurse practitioner), the national minimum wage would apply, but that would be a significant underpayment.

Superannuation is paid on top

All minimum rates discussed are base pay. Employers must also contribute superannuation guarantee at 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a first-year nurse practitioner on the award rate, that means an additional $225.24 per week in super contributions.

Enterprise agreements can set higher rates

Many public hospitals and large private health providers have enterprise agreements that set nurse practitioner salaries above the award. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and must pass the better-off-overall test. If you work under an enterprise agreement, your salary will be specified in that document, and it will almost always be higher than the award minimum.

No official median salary figure available

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for nurse practitioners at the 6-digit ANZSCO level (254411). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median earnings are not produced for this occupation. Therefore, any figure claiming to be the average or median nurse practitioner salary should be treated with caution unless it comes from a specific employer survey or enterprise agreement data.

Award coverage vs award-free

Almost all nurse practitioners are covered by the Nurses Award or a registered enterprise agreement. If you are unsure which award applies, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Which minimum wage applies tool. For award-free employees (very rare in this occupation), the national minimum wage is the backstop, but junior, apprentice, or supported wage rates may apply in limited circumstances.

Key takeaways

• The legal minimum nurse practitioner salary under the Nurses Award is $49.39 per hour (1st year) or $50.86 per hour (2nd year).
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top.
• Enterprise agreements often provide higher pay.
• No official median figure is available from the ABS.
• For more detail on award classifications and pay points, see our Rate tables and Guides.