Registered Nurse Salary QLD Per Hour: Award Minimums and Pay Floors

Registered Nurse Salary QLD Per Hour: Understanding the Legal Minimum

When searching for a registered nurse salary QLD per hour, it's essential to separate the legal minimum from survey averages or negotiated salaries. The legal floor for most registered nurses in Queensland is set by the Nurses Award 2020, a modern award under the Fair Work system. This award applies to nurses employed in private hospitals, aged care, community health, and many other settings across the state.

Award Minimum Rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Nurses Award pay guide, which shows the minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification. For a Registered nurse—level 1, pay point 1, the minimum from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026 is:

• $32.09 per hour
• $1,219.50 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours)

Higher pay points within Level 1, and Levels 2 through 5, attract progressively higher rates. For example, a Registered nurse—level 2, pay point 1 earns $39.59 per hour, while a Level 5, grade 6 earns $71.23 per hour. These rates are the legal minimum; employers cannot pay less unless an exemption applies (such as a junior or supported wage).

How the National Minimum Wage Relates

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). However, this is a backstop for employees not covered by an award or agreement. Because the Nurses Award sets higher rates, the award rate is the effective pay floor for registered nurses. The national minimum only applies if a nurse is genuinely award-free, which is rare in the industry.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

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

In addition, employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time nurse earning the award minimum of $1,219.50 per week, the employer contributes an extra $146.34 per week to super. This is not part of the hourly wage but is a mandatory additional payment.

Distinguishing Award Rates from Other Figures

It's common to see higher figures quoted as a "registered nurse salary QLD per hour" from surveys or job advertisements. These may reflect market rates, enterprise agreements, or individual contracts. They are not the legal minimum. The award rate is the floor; actual pay can be higher through negotiation or collective bargaining. For example, many public hospital nurses in Queensland are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award.

What the Research Shows

The search results from the Fair Work Ombudsman confirm the current award rates. No survey average or median was found in the provided data, so this guide focuses on the legal minimum. For a complete picture of typical earnings, consult the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) or industry reports. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, but this is an average across all occupations, not specific to nursing.

Internal Resources

For more on how pay floors work across different jobs, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables. These pages explain the interaction between awards, the national minimum, and enterprise agreements.

Key Takeaways

• The legal minimum hourly rate for a registered nurse in QLD under the Nurses Award is $32.09 (Level 1 Pay Point 1).
• The national minimum wage of $26.44 does not apply to award-covered nurses.
• Casual nurses get a 25% loading, and super is paid on top.
• Award rates are the floor; actual salaries can be higher under agreements or contracts.
• Always check the specific classification and pay point in the Nurses Award for the correct minimum.

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