Registered Nurse Salary NSW: Award Minimums, Averages and What You Should Know

Registered Nurse Salary NSW: Understanding the Pay Floor

When searching for "registered nurse salary NSW", you will find a range of figures — from award minimums to advertised salaries and survey averages. This article explains the legal minimum pay that applies, how it compares to the national minimum wage, and what other figures you may encounter.

The Legal Minimum: Nurses Award 2020

The primary legal minimum for most registered nurses in NSW (and across Australia) is the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide summarising the rates. From the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, the minimum weekly and hourly rates for a registered nurse (other than aged care employees) are:

• Level 1, Pay point 1: $1,219.50 per week / $32.09 per hour
• Level 1, Pay point 8 and thereafter: $1,465.50 per week / $38.57 per hour
• Level 2, Pay point 1: $1,504.40 per week / $39.59 per hour
• Level 3, Pay point 1: $1,631.20 per week / $42.93 per hour
• Level 4, Grade 1: $1,861.70 per week / $48.99 per hour
• Level 5, Grade 6: $2,706.90 per week / $71.23 per hour

These rates apply to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate on a pro-rata basis. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate — for a level 1, pay point 1 RN, that is $40.11 per hour.

It is important to note that the award also covers nursing assistants, enrolled nurses, student enrolled nurses, nurse practitioners, and occupational health nurses, each with their own pay points. The rates above are for registered nurses only.

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) for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. The Nurses Award minimum for a registered nurse at entry level is $32.09 per hour — about 21% higher. This means that even the lowest-paid registered nurse under the award earns well above the national floor.

The national minimum is a backstop: no award or agreement can set a rate below it. However, the award itself sets higher minimums for specific classifications. If an enterprise agreement or individual contract offers a rate below the award, the award prevails.

Survey Averages vs. Legal Minimums

You may also see figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on average earnings. In May 2026, the ABS reported that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week across all industries. This is a survey average, not a legal minimum. Registered nurses in NSW may earn more or less than this average depending on experience, location, and employer.

It is a common mistake to treat survey averages as a pay floor. The legal minimum for a registered nurse is the award rate (or a higher enterprise agreement rate). An average is simply the midpoint of all reported salaries; many nurses earn below that average but still above the award minimum.

NSW Public Sector Nurses: State Awards and Enterprise Agreements

Many registered nurses in NSW work in public hospitals and health services covered by NSW Health determinations or state-based enterprise agreements. These often set higher minimum rates than the federal Nurses Award. For example, NSW Health publishes interim increases to rates of pay and allowances for nursing and midwifery staff. These rates are negotiated between the NSW Government and unions such as the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association.

If you are employed by NSW Health, your minimum pay is likely governed by a state award or enterprise agreement, not the federal Nurses Award. Always check your employment contract and the applicable industrial instrument.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

When discussing pay, it is essential to remember that superannuation is an additional employer contribution. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a registered nurse earning the award minimum of $32.09 per hour, the employer must pay an extra $3.85 per hour into a super fund. This is not deducted from the nurse's salary; it is on top.

For more detail on how minimum wages work across different industries, see our Rate tables and Guides.

Key Takeaways

• The legal minimum for a registered nurse in NSW under the Nurses Award 2020 is $32.09 per hour (level 1, pay point 1).
• This is above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
• Survey averages from the ABS reflect what people earn on average, not what they must be paid.
• NSW public sector nurses may have higher minimums under state awards or enterprise agreements.
• Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.

Always verify your specific classification and the applicable award or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool to help you calculate your correct pay.