Salary guide
Nurse salary in Australia: what the Nurses Award sets
The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum nurse pay in Australia. A registered nurse at level 1, pay point 1 must be paid at least $1,219.50 a week ($32.09 an hour), rising to $2,706.90 a week ($71.23 an hour) at level 5, grade 6. An enrolled nurse starts at $1,139.90 a week ($30.00 an hour). These are award minimums in force from 1 July 2026, not market averages.
Key facts
- Registered nurse, level 1, pay point 1
- $1,219.50 a week ($32.09 an hour) Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(c)(i)
- Enrolled nurse, pay point 1
- $1,139.90 a week ($30.00 an hour) Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(b)(ii)
- Nurse practitioner, 1st year
- $1,877.00 a week ($49.39 an hour) Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(d)
- Nursing assistant, 1st year
- $1,050.70 a week ($27.65 an hour) Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(a)
- Casual employees
- A casual employee is paid the minimum hourly rate for their classification and pay point plus a 25% loading. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 11.1
Registered nurse, levels 1 to 5
Minimum rates for full-time employees who are not aged care employees.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 1 | $1,219.50 | $32.09 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 2 | $1,244.50 | $32.75 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 3 | $1,275.00 | $33.55 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 4 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 5 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 6 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 7 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | Pay point 8 and thereafter | $1,465.50 | $38.57 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | Pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | Pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | Pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,580.30 | $41.59 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | Pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | Pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | Pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | Grade 1 | $1,861.70 | $48.99 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | Grade 2 | $1,995.10 | $52.50 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 1 | $1,878.60 | $49.44 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 2 | $1,978.40 | $52.06 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 4 | $2,243.10 | $59.03 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 5 | $2,474.10 | $65.11 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | Grade 6 | $2,706.90 | $71.23 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(c)(i). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Enrolled nurse
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| (ii) Enrolled nurse | Pay point 1 | $1,139.90 | $30.00 |
| (ii) Enrolled nurse | Pay point 2 | $1,155.00 | $30.39 |
| (ii) Enrolled nurse | Pay point 3 | $1,170.40 | $30.80 |
| (ii) Enrolled nurse | Pay point 4 | $1,187.20 | $31.24 |
| (ii) Enrolled nurse | Pay point 5 | $1,199.20 | $31.56 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(b)(ii). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Nurse practitioner
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse practitioner—other than aged care employees | 1st year | $1,877.00 | $49.39 |
| Nurse practitioner—other than aged care employees | 2nd year | $1,932.70 | $50.86 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(d). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Nursing assistant
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant | 1st year | $1,050.70 | $27.65 |
| Nursing assistant | 2nd year | $1,067.30 | $28.09 |
| Nursing assistant | 3rd year and thereafter | $1,084.40 | $28.54 |
| Nursing assistant | Experienced (the holder of a relevant certificate III qualification) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.1(a). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Registered nurse, aged care employees
Registered nurses who are aged care employees are paid under their own clause.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1 | First year of employment classified at this level | $1,571.60 | $41.36 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | In excess of 1 year and up to 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,654.30 | $43.53 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | In excess of 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,801.10 | $47.40 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | First 3 years of employment classified at this level | $1,947.70 | $51.26 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | In excess of 3 years of employment classified at this level | $2,046.00 | $53.84 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | $2,094.20 | $55.11 | |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | $2,390.30 | $62.90 | |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | $2,711.30 | $71.35 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.3(b). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
How does the Nurses Award classify nurses?
The award has separate minimum rates for nursing assistants, enrolled nurses, registered nurses at levels 1 to 5, and nurse practitioners. Registered nurse level 1 has eight pay points. Full-time employees move up a pay point by annual movement, and part-time or casual employees after 1,786 hours of experience (clause 15.2). Aged care employees are paid under clause 15.3 instead.
What is not included in these figures?
The tables show ordinary-hours minimums. Penalty rates, overtime, shift loadings and allowances are extra, and employers can pay above the award. Superannuation is paid on top of these rates. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (Australian Taxation Office: Super guarantee).
Do nurses need to be registered first?
Yes. General registration as a registered nurse is required before practising. Internationally qualified nurses are assessed by the NMBA before registration is granted. The registration body is the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (via Ahpra).
Nurse pay questions
What is the minimum pay for a registered nurse in Australia?
Under the Nurses Award 2020, a full-time registered nurse at level 1, pay point 1 must be paid at least $1,219.50 a week ($32.09 an hour) from 1 July 2026. Pay points step up with experience, and levels 2 to 5 pay more. Some nurses are paid under an enterprise agreement instead.
Do casual nurses earn more per hour?
Under the Nurses Award a casual employee is paid the minimum hourly rate for their classification and pay point plus a loading of 25% (clause 11.1). The loading is paid in place of entitlements that casual employees do not receive.
Does every nurse get the award rate?
The award is the minimum. Nurses covered by an enterprise agreement are paid under that agreement, and employers can pay more than the award. Check which award or agreement covers the job.
Can an employer pay more than the award?
Yes. The award sets minimum pay. Employers can pay more, and employees covered by an enterprise agreement are paid under that agreement, which must leave them better off overall than the award. Check the award or agreement that covers the job, and use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.
Related
Hiring registered nurses? CrossNation recruits for employers across Australia. Fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
Sources (accessed 3 October 2026)
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