Nurse Salary Australia: Understanding the Pay Floor and Award Rates

Nurse Salary Australia: What You Need to Know

When people search for "nurse salary Australia", they often expect a single number. In reality, a nurse's pay depends on the legal pay floor, the applicable award, and any enterprise agreement or individual negotiation. This guide separates the different layers so you can understand what you are entitled to and what is merely a benchmark.

The Legal Pay Floor: National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute minimum for award‑free employees. However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which has higher minimum rates. The national minimum wage only applies if no award or agreement covers the employee.

The Nurses Award: The Real Minimum for Most Nurses

The Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034] covers nurses and nursing assistants in the health industry. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides with the minimum rates. The award has many classifications, each with multiple pay points. For example:

• Nursing assistant (1st year): $27.65 per hour
• Enrolled nurse (pay point 1): $30.00 per hour
• Registered nurse Level 1 (pay point 1): $32.09 per hour
• Registered nurse Level 3 (pay point 4 and thereafter): $45.27 per hour

These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. The award also specifies penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. For instance, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $48.14 on Saturday, $56.16 on Sunday, and $64.18 on public holidays.

Part‑time employees are paid pro‑rata based on 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate.

How the Award Rate Compares to the National Minimum

The award rates are well above the national minimum wage. For example, the lowest nursing assistant rate ($27.65) is $1.21 above the national minimum. The lowest registered nurse rate ($32.09) is $5.65 above. This means that if you are covered by the Nurses Award, your minimum pay is higher than the national floor.

Survey Averages and Benchmarks

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average weekly earnings. In May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week. For all employees (including part‑time), the average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These figures are not specific to nurses, but they provide a general benchmark. Many nurses earn above the award rate, especially those with specialised skills, in senior roles, or in high‑demand locations.

Enterprise Agreements and Negotiated Salaries

An enterprise agreement negotiated between an employer and employees (or their union) can set higher rates than the award. Many public hospitals and large private health providers have enterprise agreements that offer better pay and conditions. Individual contracts can also exceed the award minimum, but they cannot undercut it. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate is your legal minimum.

Superannuation: An Extra Payment on Top

All the rates mentioned are before tax. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 2026‑27, the super guarantee rate is 12%. For a nurse earning $32.09 per hour, the employer adds an extra $3.85 per hour into a super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Common Mix‑Ups

• National minimum wage vs award rate: Many assume the national minimum is the floor for everyone. But if an award covers you, the award rate is your minimum, and it is usually higher.
• Award rate vs average salary: The award rate is the legal minimum, not a reflection of what most nurses earn. Survey averages include experienced nurses, managers, and those in high‑cost areas.
• Casual loading: Casual employees get a 25% loading, but this is not penalty rates. Penalty rates for weekends and public holidays apply separately.
• Superannuation: The hourly or weekly rates quoted are base pay. Super is on top, so total remuneration is higher.

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. To compare rates across awards, visit our Rate tables.

Summary

The nurse salary Australia discussion starts with the Nurses Award minimum rates, which range from about $27.65 for a first‑year nursing assistant to over $45 per hour for senior registered nurses. These are the legal minimums for award‑covered employees. The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour) is a backstop for award‑free workers. Actual earnings can be higher due to enterprise agreements, experience, and location. Always check your award or agreement to know your exact entitlement.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.