What is the minimum wage for a nurse in Sydney?

The minimum wage depends on your classification under the Nurses Award 2020. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 must be paid at least $32.09 per hour (or $1,219.50 per week for full-time). Lower rates apply for student enrolled nurses under 21. All rates are before tax and do not include superannuation, which your employer pays on top.

Does the nurse salary in Sydney include superannuation?

No, the award rates shown are base rates. Your employer must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. For a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1, that adds about $3.85 per hour to your total employment cost.

Nurse Salary Sydney: Award Rates and Minimum Pay Explained

Q: Are casual nurses paid more in Sydney?

Yes. Casual employees under the Nurses Award receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1, the casual rate is $40.11 per hour. This loading is instead of paid leave entitlements.

The minimum hourly rate for a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 in Sydney under the Nurses Award is $32.09, plus 12% super, as of August 2026.

Nurse Salary Sydney: What the Award Says

When searching for a "nurse salary sydney", the first thing to understand is that most nurses in Sydney are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), a national modern award set by the Fair Work Commission. This award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, and conditions for nurses across Australia, including Sydney. The rates in this guide are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide published in July 2026 and apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026 .

Legal Minimum vs Award Rate vs Negotiated Salary

It is easy to mix up different figures when looking at a nurse salary in Sydney. The legal minimum is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), but this only applies if no award or agreement covers you. The award rate is the minimum your employer must pay under the Nurses Award, which is higher for most classifications. A negotiated salary can be above the award, for example through an enterprise agreement or individual contract. Always check which award applies to your role.

Nurses Award 2020 Minimum Rates (Sydney)

The award has many classifications. Below are key adult rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide . All rates are for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate on a pro-rata basis.

Classification	Hourly rate	Weekly rate
Nursing assistant – 1st year	$27.65	$1,050.70
Enrolled nurse – pay point 1	$30.00	$1,139.90
Registered nurse – level 1, pay point 1	$32.09	$1,219.50
Registered nurse – level 2, pay point 1	$39.59	$1,504.40
Registered nurse – level 4, grade 2	$52.50	$1,995.10

These are minimums. Many nurses in Sydney earn above award, especially in private hospitals or through enterprise agreements. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70, but that figure covers all industries and is not specific to nursing.

Penalty Rates and Casual Loading

Penalty rates apply for work on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns:

Saturday: $48.14 per hour (150%)
Sunday: $56.16 per hour (175%)
Public holiday: $64.18 per hour (200%)

Casual employees get a 25% loading on the base rate. So the casual rate for the same nurse is $40.11 per hour, plus penalty rates if applicable.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

When discussing a nurse salary in Sydney, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of your base rate. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1, that adds about $146.34 per week to your total remuneration package.

How the Pay Floor Works

The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour acts as a backstop. No adult employee can be paid less than that, even under an award. However, the Nurses Award rates are all above that floor for adult classifications. Junior employees (under 21) can be paid lower percentages, and student enrolled nurses under 21 have a minimum of $25.69 per hour.

Enterprise Agreements Can Set Higher Rates

Some hospitals and health services in Sydney have enterprise agreements that provide higher pay than the award. These agreements are negotiated between employers and unions. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is set by that agreement, not the award. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement.

Where to Find More Information

For the full list of award rates, allowances, and penalty rates, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use their Pay and Conditions Tool. You can also explore our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables for comparisons across different awards.

Summary

A nurse salary in Sydney is primarily governed by the Nurses Award 2020. The minimum hourly rate for a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 is $32.09, plus 12% super. Casual rates include a 25% loading. Penalty rates apply for weekend and public holiday work. Always check your specific classification and any enterprise agreement that may cover you.

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