What is the hourly rate for a registered nurse under the Nurses Award?

Under the Nurses Award 2020, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 has a minimum hourly rate of $32.09. This increases with pay points and levels, up to $71.23 for a Level 5 Grade 6 nurse. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees; casual employees receive an additional 25% loading.

How is casual loading applied to nursing pay?

Casual employees under the Nurses Award are paid a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate for their classification. For example, a casual Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 would receive $32.09 + 25% = $40.11 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave that casuals do not receive.

What is the super guarantee rate for nurses in 2026–27?

The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For a nurse earning $63,414 per year, that would be an additional $7,609.80 in super contributions, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is paid separately by your employer.

Nursing Salary in Australia: How to Calculate Your Pay from Hourly Rates

A Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour under the Nurses Award 2020, which equates to $1,219.50 per week or $63,414 per year for a 38-hour week.

Understanding Your Nursing Salary in Australia

If you are looking up a nursing salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the minimum hourly rate set by the Nurses Award 2020, which covers most nurses and midwives. This award, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, specifies pay rates for enrolled nurses, registered nurses, and aged care employees. To convert these hourly rates into a weekly, fortnightly, or annual figure, you can use a simple formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For full-time nurses, the standard week is 38 hours, as defined in clause 9.1 of the award.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

Take a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1: the minimum hourly rate is $32.09. Multiply by 38 hours per week to get $1,219.50 per week. Multiply that by 52 weeks to get an annual salary of $63,414. This is the gross amount before tax and before any superannuation contributions. The same calculation works for any classification: for example, an Enrolled Nurse Pay Point 1 at $30.00 per hour earns $1,140 per week and $59,280 per year.

If you are paid fortnightly, simply double the weekly figure. A fortnightly pay for that RN would be $2,439. This is useful when budgeting or comparing job offers.

Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award, which sets higher minimums. For example, even the lowest classification (1st year employee at $27.65) is above the national minimum. Always check the award rate for your specific role and experience level.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual nurses receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a casual RN Level 1 Pay Point 1, that means $32.09 + 25% = $40.11 per hour. This loading is paid for all ordinary hours. Overtime and shift penalties are calculated separately, with casuals receiving penalty rates on top of the casual rate (see clause 11.4 of the award). If you are a casual, use the casual loading page to adjust your base rate.

Tax and Superannuation

Your gross annual pay is not what you take home. For the 2026–27 financial year, the Australian Taxation Office applies a progressive tax scale: no tax on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A nurse earning $63,414 would pay approximately $9,500 in tax (including the 2% Medicare levy). Use the take-home pay tool for a personalised estimate.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For the RN example, that adds $7,609.80 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an employer contribution. See super and packaging for more details.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, along with estimated tax and super. Remember to use the base rate without casual loading already included. The tool assumes a 38-hour week and a 52-week year, consistent with the Nurses Award.

Comparing with Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adult employees at $2,083.70 (May 2026). That is about $108,352 per year. Many senior nurses (Level 3 and above) earn close to or above this average. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 3 Pay Point 4 earns $45.27 per hour, or $89,493 per year. Check the average pay page for broader comparisons.

Fortnightly and Monthly Pay

Employers often pay fortnightly. For a nurse on $32.09 per hour, fortnightly gross pay is $2,439. If paid monthly, multiply weekly by 4.33 (or annual by 12). The reference tables provide quick conversions for all award classifications.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay calculated 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.