Cosmetic Nurse Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Tax in 2026–27

Understanding the Cosmetic Nurse Salary

If you are looking into a cosmetic nurse salary, the starting point is the minimum rates set by the Nurses Award 2020. Cosmetic nurses are typically classified as Registered Nurses (RN) or Enrolled Nurses (EN) under this award. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide shows the current minimum hourly rates, which apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026.

Hourly Rates Under the Nurses Award

For a full-time or part-time Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 1, the minimum hourly rate is $32.09. This rises with experience to $38.57 at pay point 8. Enrolled nurses start at $30.00 per hour. These rates are for ordinary hours – 38 per week for full-time employees, as per clause 9.1 of the award. Part-time employees work fewer hours but are paid pro-rata on the same hourly rates.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (clause 11.1). For an RN Level 1 pay point 1, the casual rate is $40.11 per hour. This loading is paid for each ordinary hour worked and is separate from penalty rates for overtime or weekend work.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay

The standard formula used on this site is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a 38-hour week for full-time workers, as per the award. For example, a cosmetic nurse on $32.09 per hour would earn:

• Weekly: $32.09 × 38 = $1,219.42
• Fortnightly: $1,219.42 × 2 = $2,438.84
• Annually: $1,219.42 × 52 = $63,409.84 (rounded to $63,410)

This matches the weekly rate shown in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide: $1,219.50 for RN Level 1 pay point 1 (a slight rounding difference).

For a casual cosmetic nurse at $40.11 per hour:

• Weekly: $40.11 × 38 = $1,524.18
• Fortnightly: $3,048.36
• Annually: $79,257.36

Remember, superannuation is paid on top of these amounts. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830), so the employer adds that to your super fund, not to your take-home pay.

Comparing to National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). A cosmetic nurse salary under the award is well above this minimum. The casual minimum wage rate is $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time earnings (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week. A cosmetic nurse on the award minimum of $1,219.50 per week is below that average, but with experience and higher pay points, earnings can approach or exceed the average. For example, an RN Level 2 pay point 4 earns $1,580.30 per week ($41.59 per hour), which is closer to the average.

Tax and Medicare on Your Cosmetic Nurse Salary

Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% on excess over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% on excess over $135,000
• $190,001+: $51,370 + 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income (with reductions for low incomes). For a cosmetic nurse earning $63,410 annually, the tax estimate would be:

• Tax on $63,410: $4,020 + 30% × ($63,410 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,523 = $9,543
• Medicare levy: 2% × $63,410 = $1,268.20
• Total tax and Medicare: $10,811.20
• Net annual take-home: $63,410 – $10,811.20 = $52,598.80

This is a simplified estimate. It does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. Use the take-home pay tool for a more detailed calculation.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual cosmetic nurse, your hourly rate already includes the 25% loading. Do not add the loading again. The casual loading page explains how this works. Superannuation is calculated on your ordinary earnings (including the casual loading) at 12%, paid by your employer on top of your wages. For example, on a casual annual salary of $79,257, the employer would contribute $9,510.84 to your super fund, subject to the maximum contribution base.

Using the Timesheet and Other Tools

To convert your own hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, or weekly figures, use the timesheet. It lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. The results show gross pay and estimated tax and super. For award-specific rates, refer to the pay guides and reference tables on this site. You can also compare your cosmetic nurse salary to the minimum wage or average pay.

Important Notes

The annual pay shown here assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For the most accurate cosmetic nurse salary information, consult the Nurses Award 2020 and your employer’s enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provides the underlying data used in award updates.