How is the annual enrolled nurse salary calculated?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week, then by 52. Under the Nurses Award, full-time hours are 38 per week. For example, an enrolled nurse at pay point 1 earning $30.00 per hour gives $30.00 × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates or allowances.

What is the casual loading for enrolled nurses?

Casual enrolled nurses receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For pay point 1, the casual rate is $30.00 + 25% = $37.50 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave such as annual leave or sick leave. The casual loading is added to the base rate before any penalty rates or overtime.

How does superannuation affect the total enrolled nurse salary?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For an enrolled nurse earning $59,280 per year, the employer would contribute an additional $7,113.60 to super, making the total package $66,393.60. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay.

Enrolled nurse salary: hourly rates, annual pay and tax explained

An enrolled nurse at pay point 1 earns $30.00 per hour, or $59,280 per year based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding the enrolled nurse salary under the Nurses Award

If you are an enrolled nurse covered by the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], your minimum pay is set by the Fair Work Commission. The award classifies enrolled nurses into five pay points based on experience and qualifications. From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026, the rates are:

Pay point 1: $30.00 per hour ($1,139.90 per week)
Pay point 2: $30.39 per hour ($1,155.00 per week)
Pay point 3: $30.80 per hour ($1,170.40 per week)
Pay point 4: $31.24 per hour ($1,187.20 per week)
Pay point 5: $31.56 per hour ($1,199.20 per week)

These rates come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide and the award text. The weekly rate is based on 38 ordinary hours for a full-time employee.

How the enrolled nurse salary compares to the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Even the lowest enrolled nurse pay point is well above that, reflecting the skill and responsibility of the role. For more context, see our minimum wage page.

Converting hourly rates to annual, fortnightly and weekly pay

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time enrolled nurse working 38 hours per week, the calculation is straightforward. For example, at pay point 1:

Annual: $30.00 × 38 × 52 = $59,280
Fortnightly: $30.00 × 38 × 2 = $2,280
Weekly: $30.00 × 38 = $1,140

At pay point 5:

Annual: $31.56 × 38 × 52 = $62,362.56
Fortnightly: $31.56 × 38 × 2 = $2,398.56

This estimate assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances or salary sacrifice. For a more tailored calculation, try our timesheet.

Tax and Medicare on your enrolled nurse salary

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

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

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income (with reductions for low-income earners).

Example for pay point 1 ($59,280):

Tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($59,280 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $4,284 = $8,304
Medicare: 2% × $59,280 = $1,185.60
Total tax and Medicare: $9,489.60
Estimated take-home pay: $49,790.40 per year, or about $957.51 per week.

Use our take-home pay page for a more detailed breakdown.

Superannuation is paid on top

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it.

For an enrolled nurse earning $59,280:

Super: 12% × $59,280 = $7,113.60
Total employment cost: $66,393.60

If you earn above the maximum base, super is capped. See our super and packaging page for more.

Casual loading for enrolled nurses

Casual employees under the Nurses Award get a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This is in addition to the base rate and compensates for not receiving paid leave.

Casual rates for enrolled nurse pay point 1:

Base rate: $30.00
Casual loading: 25% = $7.50
Casual hourly rate: $37.50

Annual equivalent (if consistently working 38 hours): $37.50 × 38 × 52 = $74,100.

Remember, casual loading is not a penalty rate; it replaces entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. For more on how casual rates work, visit our casual loading page.

Using the award rates for your pay calculations

The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provides the official rates, allowances and penalties. The rates shown here are the minimum; your actual pay may be higher if your employer offers above-award rates or if you receive penalties for weekends, public holidays or shiftwork.

For a full list of classifications and pay points, see our reference tables and pay guides.

Important note

All annual figures on this page are estimates based on the formula hourly rate × hours per week × 52. They assume 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.