Nurse Salary Perth: Understanding the Pay Floor and Award Rates

Nurse Salary Perth: Which Pay Floor Applies?

When searching for a nurse salary in Perth, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. This guide explains the pay floors that apply and what people often mix up.

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. 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. However, this is the absolute minimum for award-free and agreement-free employees. Most nurses are not award-free; they are covered by the Nurses Award 2010.

The Nurses Award Sets Higher Minimums

Nurses in Perth are typically employed under the Nurses Award 2010 (or a state equivalent for some public sector roles). This award has multiple classification levels (e.g., Registered Nurse Level 1, Level 2, Enrolled Nurse, etc.) with minimum rates well above the national minimum. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 in the first year of employment earns a higher hourly rate than $26.44. The exact figures are not in this site's reference, but the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes them. The award also includes penalty rates, shift allowances, and overtime.

What About Survey Averages and Market Rates?

You may see reported figures like "average nurse salary Perth $85,000 per year" from recruitment sites or the ABS. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week for all employees, but that is a broad average across all industries. Nurses may earn above the award due to enterprise agreements, experience, or specialty. This site does not provide a precise market rate for Perth nurses. The legal floor is the award rate, not a survey median.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings. For a nurse earning $40 per hour under an award, the employer pays an extra $4.80 per hour into super. This is not deducted from the wage; it is an additional cost to the employer. When comparing a nurse salary in Perth, always check whether the quoted figure includes or excludes super.

Award-Free and Agreement-Free Scenarios

If a nurse is not covered by any award or enterprise agreement (rare), the national minimum wage applies. But most nurses are covered. An enterprise agreement can set higher rates than the award, but never lower. Some nurses in the Western Australian state system may be under state awards; those also have minimum rates. Always check your classification with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Common Confusions

People often mix up the national minimum wage with the award rate. The national minimum is a floor, but the award is the relevant minimum for most nurses. Another confusion is thinking that casual loading replaces penalty rates; it does not. Casual nurses get both the 25% loading and any applicable penalty rates. Also, junior nurses (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the award rate, not the adult national minimum.

For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables for national minimum figures. Remember, this site provides orientation only; it is not a pay determination.

FAQs

See the FAQs above for common questions about nurse salary in Perth.

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