What award covers most nurses in Australia?

The Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) covers nurses in the health industry, including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nursing assistants. Check your classification and pay point in the award.

How do I know which pay point I fall under?

The award defines pay points based on qualifications, experience, and level of responsibility. For example, a newly graduated registered nurse with a bachelor's degree starts at Level 1 Pay Point 1. Refer to the award classification definitions.

Is superannuation included in the award rates?

No, superannuation is paid on top of the award rate. Employers must contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a complying super fund.

Nurse Salary Guide: Award Minimums and the National Pay Floor

The Nurses Award 2020 sets minimum pay rates for nurses, with a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earning at least $32.09 per hour as of August 2026, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44.

Understanding the Nurse Salary Landscape

When researching a nurse salary in Australia, it's important to distinguish between the legal minimum wage, the award minimum for your classification, and the actual salary you might negotiate or receive under an enterprise agreement. This guide focuses on the minimum pay floors set by the Fair Work Commission and the Nurses Award 2020.

The National Minimum Wage vs. the Nurses Award

As of 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. This is the absolute minimum for award-free and agreement-free employees. However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), which sets higher minimum rates for specific classifications. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award and a pay guide with detailed rates.

Under the Nurses Award, a full-time employee works 38 ordinary hours per week. The award rates are minimums; your employer may pay more under an enterprise agreement or individual contract. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work, which are not part of the ordinary hourly rate.

Award Minimum Rates for Nurses

The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Nurses Award (effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026) lists minimum weekly and hourly rates for various classifications. For example:

Registered Nurse Level 1, Pay Point 1: $1,219.50 per week, $32.09 per hour.
Registered Nurse Level 2, Pay Point 1: $1,504.40 per week, $39.59 per hour.
Enrolled Nurse Pay Point 1: $1,139.90 per week, $30.00 per hour.
Nursing Assistant (1st year): $1,050.70 per week, $27.65 per hour.

These rates are for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For instance, a casual Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 would earn $40.11 per hour ($32.09 + 25%).

How Your Nurse Salary Compares to the National Minimum

The award rates for nurses are significantly above the national minimum wage. For example, the Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 rate of $32.09 per hour is 21% higher than the $26.44 national minimum. This reflects the skill and responsibility required in nursing roles.

However, it's crucial to remember that these are minimums. Many nurses, especially those with experience or in specialised roles, earn more. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings for all employees was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. While the ABS does not publish a specific nurse salary average, it's reasonable to expect that many nurses earn above the award minimum, particularly those in senior or managerial positions.

Superannuation: An Extra 12% on Top

When discussing a nurse salary, remember that superannuation is an additional employer contribution. As of 2026-27, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of your base salary and award rates. For example, if your award minimum weekly salary is $1,219.50, your employer must also contribute $146.34 to your super fund each week. This is not deducted from your pay.

Factors That Influence Your Actual Salary

Your actual nurse salary may be higher than the award minimum due to:

Enterprise agreements: Many public hospitals and large private health providers have enterprise agreements that offer higher pay rates and better conditions.
Experience and qualifications: The award has multiple pay points within each level. Progressing through pay points increases your rate.
Penalty rates and overtime: Working weekends, nights, or public holidays attracts penalty rates that boost your take-home pay.
Location: Some regional or remote areas offer additional allowances or higher rates to attract staff.

Using This Information

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. To find your exact minimum entitlement, check the Nurses Award 2020 classification definitions and pay point progression. You can also use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool for a personalised calculation.

For more on how minimum wages work in Australia, see our Which minimum wage applies page. For detailed rate tables across different awards, visit our Rate tables page.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've included three common questions below. For more, explore our Guides section.