Registered nurse salary Australia: award minimums, tax, and super explained

Understanding the registered nurse salary Australia award minimum

When searching for a registered nurse salary Australia, the first figure you will encounter is the minimum set by the Nurses Award 2020. This award, made by the Fair Work Commission, covers most nurses working in private and public hospitals, clinics, and community health. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the current pay guide, which shows hourly and weekly rates for each classification and pay point.

The award minimum vs the national minimum wage

From the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, a Registered nurse level 1 pay point 1 earns $32.09 per hour or $1,219.50 per week. That is well above the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) that applies to award-free employees. The national minimum is a floor, but the award rate is the legal minimum for nurses covered by the Nurses Award.

The award also sets higher rates for more experienced nurses and those in higher classifications. For example, a Registered nurse level 2 pay point 1 earns $39.59 per hour, and a Registered nurse level 4 grade 3 earns $55.57 per hour. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate.

What about enterprise agreements and individual contracts?

Many nurses are covered by enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and unions. These agreements can set higher pay rates and better conditions than the award. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is the rate in that agreement, not the award. Some nurses also have individual contracts, but those cannot undercut the award or agreement minimum.

Tax, Medicare, and super on your weekly pay

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For a Registered nurse level 1 pay point 1 earning $1,219.50 per week (annualised to about $63,414), the estimated weekly tax (using 2026-27 rates with the full tax-free threshold) is around $262, and Medicare levy (2%) adds about $24, leaving roughly $933 per week. This is a rough guide; your actual tax may differ due to the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice.

Superannuation is an employer payment on top. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, so your employer must contribute an extra $146.34 per week to your super fund. That is not part of your take-home pay but builds your retirement savings.

How the figures work

The rates in this article come directly from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Nurses Award 2020, effective from 1 August 2026. The Fair Work Commission determined these rates after the Work Value Case for nurses and midwives. The award is updated regularly. For the most current rates, check the Rate tables on this site or the Fair Work Ombudsman's website.

A note on survey averages

This article focuses on the legal minimum award rate. Survey averages, such as those from the Australian Bureau of Statistics or recruitment firms, often show higher figures because they include overtime, penalties, and allowances. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week across all industries. A registered nurse's actual earnings can vary widely by location, employer, and experience. This article does not provide a median or average salary for registered nurses because no single authoritative figure exists for that purpose.

Summary

The registered nurse salary Australia minimum under the Nurses Award 2020 is $32.09 per hour for a level 1 pay point 1 employee. This is a legal floor; many nurses earn more. Always check your award classification and any applicable enterprise agreement. For more detail on how minimum wages are set and enforced, see How the figures work.