What is the legal minimum wage for a nurse in Australia?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adult award-free workers. However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates based on classification and experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the exact award rates. This site does not have the specific award figures.

Do nurses get superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is a legal requirement and applies to all employees, including nurses, regardless of whether they are paid under an award or agreement.

Can a nurse be paid less than the national minimum wage?

No, unless they are a junior, apprentice, trainee, or on a supported wage. The national minimum wage is the legal floor. However, the Nurses Award sets higher rates for most classifications, so a nurse covered by the award must receive at least the award rate, which is above the national minimum.

Nurses Salary: Legal Minimum and Award Rates in Australia

The legal minimum for award-free adult workers is $26.44 per hour, but nurses are typically covered by the Nurses Award 2020 which sets higher minimum rates; precise market salary not available in this reference.

Nurses Salary: Understanding the Legal Floor and Award Rates

When searching for a nurses salary, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum wage, award rates, and market averages. This guide uses official Australian sources to explain the pay floor and how it applies to nurses.

The National Minimum Wage as a Baseline

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national-system employees. However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, and the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

Award Rates for Nurses

The Nurses Award 2020 provides minimum rates for different classifications (e.g., enrolled nurse, registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist). These rates are higher than the national minimum. For example, a registered nurse at level 1 typically earns more than $26.44 per hour. The exact figures are not in this reference, but the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award rates. An enterprise agreement can also set higher rates. If you are award-free, the national minimum applies, but that is rare for nurses.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a nurse earning $30 per hour, the employer pays an additional $3.60 per hour into super. This is not deducted from the salary; it is an extra cost for the employer. The super guarantee applies to all employees, including casuals, on ordinary time earnings.

Junior and Apprentice Rates

If a nurse is under 21 and award-free, junior percentages apply. For example, a 19-year-old award-free worker receives 82.5% of the adult rate, or $21.82 per hour. However, the Nurses Award has its own junior rates, which may differ. Apprentices and trainees in nursing (e.g., enrolled nurse trainees) follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Always check the applicable award.

How This Site Can Help

For more detail on which pay floor applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies. The Rate tables show the national minimum and junior percentages. Remember, this site provides orientation only, not a pay determination or legal advice. If you need exact award rates, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Market Salary vs Legal Minimum

The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week and all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These are broad averages, not specific to nursing. A precise market rate for a nurses salary is not available in this reference. The legal floor is $26.44 per hour, but actual salaries are typically higher due to awards, agreements, and experience.

Summary

Legal minimum (award-free adult): $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week.
Nurses are usually covered by the Nurses Award 2020, with higher minimum rates.
Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top.
Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may receive lower rates.
For award rates, see the Fair Work Ombudsman.

For more guides, visit Guides and How the figures work.