How is casual loading applied to a nurse salary Australia?

Casual employees under the Nurses Award 2020 receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate for their classification. For example, a registered nurse at pay point 1 with a base rate of $30.00 per hour would have a casual hourly rate of $37.50. The loading is paid for each ordinary hour worked and is separate from penalty rates or overtime.

What superannuation is paid on a nurse salary Australia?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of ordinary earnings on top of the nurse’s base salary. For the 2026–27 year, the maximum contribution base is $270,830. Super is not deducted from the hourly rate; it is an additional cost for the employer. For a full-time registered nurse earning $1,139.90 per week, the weekly super contribution would be about $136.79.

How does tax affect a nurse salary Australia in 2026–27?

For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is generally 2%. The tax-free threshold is included. For a nurse earning $60,000 annually, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be about $8,117, leaving take-home pay of $51,883.

Nurse Salary Australia: Award Rates, Weekly Pay, and Tax for 2026–27

Under the Nurses Award 2020, a full-time registered nurse at pay point 1 earns $30.00 per hour, or $1,139.90 per week for 38 hours, with super and tax as shown.

Understanding Nurse Salary Australia Under the Nurses Award 2020

When researching nurse salary Australia, the most reliable source is the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034] published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum pay rates for enrolled nurses, registered nurses, and other classifications. The rates shown here apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, following the Annual Wage Review 2026.

How Annual Pay Is Calculated

Annual gross pay is calculated as:

hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time nurses, the award defines ordinary hours as 38 per week (or an average of 38). So a registered nurse at pay point 1 earning $30.00 per hour would have:

Weekly pay: $30.00 × 38 = $1,140.00 (rounded to $1,139.90 per the award table)
Fortnightly pay: $1,139.90 × 2 = $2,279.80
Annual gross: $1,139.90 × 52 = $59,274.80

This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. For part-time employees, the same formula applies but with fewer hours per week.

Award Rates for Nurses

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides provide the following minimum weekly and hourly rates for full-time employees (38 hours):

Enrolled nurse

1st year: $27.65/hour, $1,050.70/week
2nd year: $28.09/hour, $1,067.30/week
3rd year and thereafter: $28.54/hour, $1,084.40/week
Experienced (Certificate III): $29.45/hour, $1,119.10/week

Registered nurse

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

These rates are the minimum. Many nurses earn above award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Casual Loading

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For example, a casual registered nurse at pay point 1 would be paid $37.50 per hour ($30.00 × 1.25). The loading compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. When using our hourly conversion tool, enter the base rate (without casual loading) and check the casual loading box if applicable.

Overtime and Penalty Rates

Overtime for full-time and part-time nurses is paid at:

Monday to Saturday: 150% for first 2 hours, 200% thereafter
Sunday: 200%
Public holidays: 250%

Casual employees receive the same overtime percentages but applied to the casual hourly rate (including the 25% loading). Shiftworkers also get loadings: 12.5% for afternoon shifts and 15% for night shifts (Monday to Friday).

Superannuation

Superannuation guarantee contributions are paid on top of the nurse’s ordinary earnings. For 2026–27, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a full-time registered nurse earning $59,274.80 annually, the employer would contribute about $7,112.98 in super. This is not deducted from the nurse’s pay; it is an additional benefit.

Tax on Nurse Salary Australia

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15%
$45,001 – $135,000: 30%
$135,001 – $190,000: 37%
$190,001+: 45%

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a nurse earning $60,000, the estimated tax plus Medicare is approximately $8,117, leaving take-home pay of $51,883. Use our take-home pay tool for a personalised estimate.

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). All nurse award rates exceed this minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A registered nurse at pay point 5 ($1,199.20/week) earns about 58% of that average, reflecting the award minimum rather than market rates.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many nurses are paid fortnightly. For a registered nurse at pay point 1, the fortnightly gross is $2,279.80. After tax and Medicare, the net pay would be around $1,950 to $2,000 depending on circumstances. Our reference tables include weekly and fortnightly breakdowns for all award classifications.

Important Disclaimer

The annual pay shown here is an estimate based on 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 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.