What is the CRNA salary under the Nurses Award?

The term CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is not a standard classification in Australia, but nurse anesthetists are covered by the Nurses Award 2020. Pay rates depend on the classification level and pay point. The Fair Work Commission publishes minimum rates in the Modern Awards Pay Database. For example, the National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2026) is $26.44 per hour for full-time employees, but award rates for nurses are typically higher. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate.

How do I calculate my annual pay from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week, then by 52. For a full-time employee under the Nurses Award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (or an average of 38). So annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, at $26.44/hour, annual pay is $52,237. For a fortnightly amount, multiply the weekly amount by 2. Remember that super is paid on top of this amount, and tax is deducted after the $18,200 threshold.

Does the calculator include casual loading?

Yes, the timesheet has a checkbox to add 25% casual loading. You enter your base hourly rate (without loading), and the calculator applies the loading if selected. This matches the Nurses Award clause 11.1, where casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. The annual estimate then reflects the loaded rate.

CRNA Salary: How to Calculate Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay Under the Nurses Award

For a full-time nurse under the Nurses Award, a CRNA salary of $26.44 per hour (38 hours/week) yields an annual gross of $52,237, with super and tax estimated.

Understanding Your CRNA Salary

In Australia, the term CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is not a formal classification, but nurse anesthetists and other nursing professionals are covered by the Nurses Award 2020. Your salary as a nurse is typically expressed as an hourly rate, and converting that to an annual figure helps you compare job offers, budget, and plan for tax and super.

The Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission set minimum pay rates under this award. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a full-time employee working 38 hours per week. However, award rates for nurses are often higher depending on your classification and experience. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time nurse under the Nurses Award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (or an average of 38 over a roster cycle). This is defined in clause 13.1 of the award. So if your hourly rate is $26.44, your annual gross is:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,237 (rounded)

If you are paid fortnightly, your gross pay per fortnight is simply your weekly pay multiplied by 2. For the example above, weekly pay is $1,004.90, so fortnightly is $2,009.80.

You can use our hourly conversion tool to do this calculation instantly. Remember to enter your base rate without any casual loading – the calculator will apply the 25% loading if you select the casual option.

Award Rates vs the National Minimum Wage

It is important to distinguish between the National Minimum Wage and award rates that apply to your specific job. The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor for all employees, but most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award. The award has detailed classification levels and pay points. The Fair Work Commission publishes a pay guide that lists the minimum rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. Casual loading is paid on top of the minimum hourly rate, not included in it.

For example, a casual nurse working ordinary hours on a Monday to Saturday will receive overtime rates after 2 hours at 150% of the casual hourly rate, and 200% after 2 hours. Sunday work is 200% and public holidays 250% (clause 19.2 of the award).

Tax and Medicare on Your CRNA Salary

Once you have your annual gross, you need to estimate tax. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) resident tax rates for 2026–27 are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,420 + 45% of excess over $190,000

Additionally, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as a guide). For a gross salary of $52,237, the tax would be approximately $4,020 + 30% of ($52,237 - $45,000) = $6,191, plus Medicare levy of $1,045, leaving take-home pay around $45,001. Our take-home pay tool can give you a more precise estimate.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Under the Nurses Award (clause 18.2) and the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act, your employer must pay superannuation contributions on your behalf. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For 2026–27, the maximum contribution base is $270,830. So if your annual gross is $52,237, your employer would add $6,268.44 in super, making your total remuneration $58,505.44. This super is not included in your take-home pay but is a valuable part of your compensation.

Learn more about super and packaging to understand how salary sacrifice can affect your tax.

Using the Calculator

Our timesheet is the home page where you can enter your base hourly rate. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading on top – do not enter a rate that already includes loading. The calculator then shows your annual gross, fortnightly pay, estimated tax, Medicare, and super. You can also explore our reference tables for award rates and the minimum wage page for the latest figures.

Remember that this estimate assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is a guide, not a determination of your actual pay or tax.