What is the minimum hourly rate for a midwife under the Nurses Award?

Under the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], the minimum hourly rate for an experienced midwife (holder of a relevant Certificate III qualification) is $29.45 per hour for full-time employees. Lower rates apply for less experienced classifications, such as $27.65 for a first-year employee. These rates are updated annually following the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. Always check the latest pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman for current figures.

How does casual loading affect my midwifery salary?

Casual employees under the Nurses Award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, an experienced midwife on $29.45 per hour would receive $36.81 per hour as a casual. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. When using our timesheet, enter the base hourly rate (without loading) and check the casual loading box to add the 25% automatically.

Is superannuation included in my hourly rate or paid on top?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings to a super fund. This is not deducted from your hourly rate. For a midwife earning $29.45 per hour, the employer would add an extra $3.53 per hour to super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

Understanding Your Midwifery Salary: Hourly Rates, Casual Loading, and Superannuation

A midwife on the Nurses Award minimum rate of $29.45 per hour working 38 hours per week earns about $58,209 annually before tax, with super and casual loading added on top.

Calculating Your Midwifery Salary from an Hourly Rate

Whether you are a registered midwife, a student, or an employer, understanding how to convert an hourly rate into an annual salary is essential for budgeting and negotiations. This guide uses the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034] as the reference for minimum pay, but the same principles apply to any award or agreement.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours per Week × 52

Annual gross salary = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For full-time employees under the Nurses Award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (or an average of 38 over a roster cycle). So the standard calculation is:

Annual salary = hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, a midwife on the minimum award rate of $29.45 per hour (experienced classification) would have an annual salary of:

$29.45 × 38 × 52 = $58,209.20

This is the gross amount before tax and any deductions. If you work part-time, simply use your actual weekly hours. For casual employees, remember that the 25% casual loading is added to the hourly rate, but the formula remains the same.

The Fortnightly View

Many midwives are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. Using the example above:

Weekly pay = $29.45 × 38 = $1,119.10 Fortnightly pay = $1,119.10 × 2 = $2,238.20

This can help you compare with job advertisements that quote fortnightly salaries.

Award Minimums vs. 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. However, most midwives are covered by the Nurses Award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, including the Nurses Award, which list all classification rates and allowances.

Under the Nurses Award, the minimum hourly rates for a full-time midwife (as at October 2026) are:

1st year: $27.65
2nd year: $28.09
3rd year and thereafter: $28.54
Experienced (Certificate III holder): $29.45

These rates are updated each year after the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. You can find the latest data in the reference tables from the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database.

Casual Loading: 25% on Top

If you work as a casual midwife, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid sick leave, annual leave, or other entitlements. The casual loading is applied to the base rate, not the other way around. For example:

Base rate (experienced): $29.45 Casual loading (25%): $7.36 Casual hourly rate: $36.81

When using our timesheet, enter the base hourly rate (without loading) and tick the casual loading checkbox. The tool will automatically add the 25% to calculate your gross pay.

Superannuation: Paid on Top of Your Salary

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a midwife earning $29.45 per hour, the employer adds $3.53 per hour to super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

When estimating your total remuneration package, include super. For the example above:

Annual salary: $58,209.20 Employer super (12%): $6,985.10 Total package: $65,194.30

Note that super is not included in your take-home pay. It is invested for your retirement.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on your total taxable income and the tax rates for 2026–27. The Australian Tax Office uses these resident tax brackets:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% for each dollar over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% for each dollar over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% for each dollar over $135,000
$190,001+: 45% for each dollar over $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For a midwife earning $58,209, the estimated tax would be around $9,000–$10,000, leaving a take-home pay of roughly $48,000–$49,000 per year. Use our take-home pay tool for a more precise estimate.

Using the Timesheet for Your Midwifery Salary

Our timesheet is designed for any hourly worker. Simply enter your base hourly rate (the rate before casual loading or penalty rates). If you are a casual, check the casual loading box. The tool will calculate your gross annual salary, fortnightly pay, and estimated tax and super. It assumes 38 hours per week for full-time, but you can adjust hours for part-time or casual shifts.

Remember: the calculator provides an estimate. Actual pay may differ due to overtime, allowances, salary sacrifice, or enterprise agreements. Always refer to your award or contract for exact conditions.

Summary

Midwifery salary under the Nurses Award starts at $27.65 per hour for a first-year employee and $29.45 for an experienced midwife.
Annual salary = hourly rate × 38 × 52.
Casual loading adds 25% to the base rate.
Superannuation is 12% paid on top of ordinary earnings.
Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident rates plus Medicare levy.

For the most accurate and up-to-date award rates, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and the Fair Work Commission's database. Use our timesheet to quickly convert your hourly rate into annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, including super and tax estimates.

Disclaimer: Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It 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 is 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.