Registered Nurse Salary: Award Rates vs the National Minimum Wage
A Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour under the Nurses Award 2020, based on a 38-hour week.
Registered Nurse Salary Under the Nurses Award 2020
Understanding a registered nurse salary starts with the award that covers most nurses in Australia: the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guide, and the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database. These sources set the minimum rates you must be paid, depending on your classification and pay point.
How the Award 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. By contrast, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour under the award. That’s about 21% above the minimum wage. Even the lowest nursing classification – a 1st-year nursing assistant at $27.65 per hour – sits above the national floor. The award recognises the skill and responsibility of nursing work.
Calculating Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate
To estimate your annual gross pay, use the standard formula:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time registered nurse, we assume 38 hours per week (the ordinary hours under the award). For example:
- RN Level 1 Pay Point 1: $32.09 × 38 × 52 = $63,409.84 per year
- RN Level 2 Pay Point 1: $39.59 × 38 × 52 = $78,229.84 per year
If you work part-time, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. The award states that part-time employees are paid pro-rata based on the 38-hour full-time week.
Fortnightly Pay
Most nurses are paid fortnightly. Multiply the weekly rate by two. For RN Level 1 Pay Point 1:
- Weekly: $1,219.50
- Fortnightly: $2,439.00
This is the minimum before tax and any allowances. You can check your own figures using the timesheet or the reference tables on this site.
Casual Loading and Penalty Rates
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For RN Level 1 Pay Point 1, the casual rate is $32.09 × 1.25 = $40.11 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave. The award also sets penalty rates for weekends and public holidays. For example, Saturday work is paid at 150% of the base rate, Sunday at 175%, and public holidays at 200%. These rates are detailed in the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Superannuation Is Paid on Top
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 full-time RN Level 1 Pay Point 1 earning $63,409.84, the super contribution would be about $7,609.18 per year. The contribution is capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026–27). Learn more about super and packaging.
Tax on Your Registered Nurse Salary
Income tax for 2026–27 uses the resident tax-free threshold of $18,200. Above that, rates are:
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (single reduction thresholds not confirmed for 2026–27, so use 2025–26 figures). For a nurse earning $63,409.84, the estimated tax would be approximately $11,347 plus Medicare. Use the take-home pay page for a detailed breakdown.
Why Award Rates Matter
Award rates are the legal minimum. Many nurses are paid above the award through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. However, the award provides a safety net. If you are unsure whether your pay meets the minimum, compare your hourly rate to the classification in the Nurses Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help.
Summary
A registered nurse salary under the award is well above the National Minimum Wage. For a full-time RN Level 1 Pay Point 1, the hourly rate is $32.09, leading to an annual gross of $63,409.84. Add 12% super on top, and the total employment cost is about $71,019. After tax, take-home pay is around $52,000 depending on your circumstances. Always check the latest award rates from the Fair Work Commission and use the timesheet to calculate your own figures.
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.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.