What is the minimum hourly wage for a nurse in Australia?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adult award-free employees. However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates based on classification and experience. This reference does not contain those award rates, so you should check the award or your enterprise agreement for the exact figure.

Are nurses covered by an award or can they negotiate a higher salary?

Yes, nurses are typically covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which provides minimum pay rates above the national minimum. Employers and employees can also negotiate enterprise agreements that may offer higher rates. Individual contracts must still meet the award minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help determine which award applies.

Does the salary of a nurse include superannuation?

Superannuation is paid on top of the ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if a nurse earns $30 per hour under an award, the employer must also contribute $3.60 per hour into super. The quoted salary or wage figure usually excludes super.

Understanding the Salary of Nurse in Australia Per Hour: Award Coverage vs Legal Minimum

The legal minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but nurses are typically covered by the Nurses Award which sets higher rates not available in this reference.

Salary of Nurse in Australia Per Hour: What You Need to Know

When searching for the salary of nurse in Australia per hour, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum wage, award rates, and actual market pay. This guide explains the pay floors and how they apply, using the on-site reference from Minimum Wage Rates.

The Legal Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage 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. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national-system employees.

However, not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates may be paid less. For example, award-free juniors aged 16 receive $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate). Supported wages for people with disability can also be lower.

Award Coverage for Nurses

Most nurses in Australia are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum. The award includes classifications such as Registered Nurse Level 1, Level 2, and Enrolled Nurse, each with different hourly rates. The on-site reference does not contain these specific award rates, so a precise market rate for the salary of nurse in Australia per hour is not available here. You should consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or your employer for the correct award classification.

Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates than the award. If you are covered by an agreement, your pay must meet or exceed the award minimum. Individual contracts cannot undercut the award.

Comparing with Survey Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average earnings. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These figures include all industries and occupations, not just nursing. They are not a legal minimum and may be higher or lower than what a nurse earns.

Superannuation on Top

When discussing the salary of nurse in Australia per hour, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of the hourly rate. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For example, if a nurse's hourly rate is $30, the employer must contribute an additional $3.60 per hour into super. The quoted wage usually excludes super.

How to Find Your Correct Rate

To determine the exact pay floor for a nurse, follow these steps:

Check if you are covered by the Nurses Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides award coverage tools.
If award-free, the national minimum wage applies, but this is rare for nurses.
If covered by an enterprise agreement, compare its rates with the award to ensure compliance.
For juniors or apprentices, special rates may apply.

For more details, see our Rate tables and Guides.

Important Caveats

This site provides orientation only, not legal or tax advice. The figures are based on the national minimum wage and ABS averages. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure; multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower due to rounding. Casual weekly figures are the casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates.

State public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders, may be covered by state awards instead of the national system. Always verify your specific situation.

Summary

While the legal minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, the salary of nurse in Australia per hour is typically higher due to award coverage. Without the specific award rates in this reference, you should consult the Nurses Award or your employer for an accurate figure. Superannuation is paid on top, and juniors or trainees may receive less. For further reading, visit How the figures work and Topics.