Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Australia: Award Rates and Pay Floors

What is a 'nurse anesthetist salary' in Australia?

The term 'nurse anesthetist salary' often comes from overseas, where a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a distinct role. In Australia, the classification does not exist in the same way. Nurses who work in anaesthesia are typically Registered Nurses (RNs) or Enrolled Nurses (ENs) employed under the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], which sets minimum wages for a range of nursing roles. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that lists these rates.

If you are searching for 'nurse anesthetist salary' in Australia, the legal pay floor is the award rate for the appropriate classification. There is no separate 'nurse anesthetist' rate. The correct classification depends on qualifications and experience, not the clinical area.

The legal minimum: Nurses Award 2020 rates

The Nurses Award 2020 covers employees in the nursing industry, including those working in hospitals, aged care, and community health. For a Registered Nurse working in anaesthetics, the minimum hourly rate is set by the RN level and pay point. As of the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, the rates are:

• RN Level 1, pay point 1: $32.09 per hour, $1,219.50 per week
• RN Level 1, pay point 8 and thereafter: $38.57 per hour, $1,465.50 per week
• RN Level 2, pay point 1: $39.59 per hour, $1,504.40 per week
• RN Level 3, pay point 1: $42.93 per hour, $1,631.20 per week

These are minimum rates for full-time employees (38 ordinary hours per week). Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate on a pro-rata basis. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, so the casual hourly rate for RN Level 1 pay point 1 is $40.11.

All award rates are before tax and do not include the 12% superannuation guarantee, which the employer must pay on top of ordinary time earnings.

How the award rate compares to the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The lowest RN rate under the Nurses Award is well above that, at $32.09 per hour. This is because the award provides a higher minimum for skilled nursing work. However, if an award-free employee were working as a nurse (which is unlikely, as most nurses are covered by an award), the national minimum would apply. The award always takes precedence for covered employees.

Distinction from medical anaesthetists

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports median weekly earnings for medical anaesthetists (ANZSCO 2532) at $8,293 per week, or $218 per hour, based on the May 2025 Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. This is for medical practitioners, not nurses. Nurses are not doctors, and their pay is governed by a different industrial instrument. Confusing the two roles can lead to incorrect salary expectations.

Superannuation and other entitlements

When discussing pay, remember that the 12% superannuation guarantee is an employer contribution on top of the base salary. For a full-time RN earning $1,219.50 per week, the employer must also contribute $146.34 per week to super. This is not deducted from the wage.

Penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work apply under the award. For example, Saturday work is paid at 150% of the ordinary rate, Sunday at 175%, and public holidays at 200%. These are in the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.

Enterprise agreements can set higher rates

The award is a minimum safety net. Many hospitals and health services have enterprise agreements that provide higher wages, better conditions, or additional allowances. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement sets your pay, not the award. Always check your employment contract and the applicable industrial instrument.

Where to find more information

For detailed rate tables, see our Rate tables page. For guidance on how to determine which award applies, visit our Guides section. The Fair Work Ombudsman website provides the official pay guide and award text. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and approves award variations.

Summary

• There is no 'nurse anesthetist' award classification in Australia.
• Nurses in anaesthetics are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 as Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses.
• Minimum rates for RN Level 1 start at $32.09 per hour ($1,219.50 per week) from August 2026.
• Medical anaesthetists earn much higher median wages, but that is a different profession.
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.
• Enterprise agreements may provide higher rates than the award.