Travel Nurse Salary: Award Rates and Minimum Pay Under the Nurses Award 2026

What is a travel nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered or enrolled nurse who takes temporary assignments, often through agencies, to fill short-term staffing gaps in hospitals, aged care facilities, or other health settings. Because they move between employers and locations, their employment arrangements can vary, but they are almost always covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Understanding the travel nurse salary floor starts with knowing which award applies.

Award coverage for travel nurses

The Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) covers most nurses in the private health industry, including those employed by nursing agencies. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for the Nurses Award lists minimum rates for classifications from nursing assistant to registered nurse level 4. The award also covers enrolled nurses and student enrolled nurses. If a travel nurse is employed by an agency that is not covered by an enterprise agreement, the award sets the legal minimum.

Some travel nurses may be covered by enterprise agreements that provide higher pay. Always check the applicable instrument. The award itself states that it applies to employers in the health industry and their employees in the classifications listed in Schedule A—Classification Definitions. This includes nurses principally engaged in nursing duties.

Minimum rates under the Nurses Award

For a registered nurse at Level 1, Pay Point 1, the full-time weekly rate is $1,219.50, which equates to $32.09 per hour for a 38‑hour week. This is the minimum for an employee who has completed a four‑year degree or equivalent. Higher pay points and levels attract higher rates. For example, a registered nurse at Level 1, Pay Point 8 earns $38.57 per hour. Enrolled nurses start at $30.00 per hour (Pay Point 1).

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a casual registered nurse at Level 1 Pay Point 1, the casual rate is $40.11 per hour. Penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays also apply as per the award’s penalty rate table.

These rates are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, as shown in the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide. The award also includes provisions for part‑time employees, who are paid pro‑rata based on 38 ordinary hours.

How travel nurse salary compares to the national minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The Nurses Award rates are significantly higher, reflecting the skilled nature of nursing work. For a registered nurse, the award minimum is about 21% above the national minimum. Even the lowest classification under the award (student enrolled nurse under 21) is $25.69 per hour, which is still close to the national minimum but slightly below it. However, the award’s backstop provision ensures no classification falls below the national minimum. The introductory rate for award‑free employees is $25.74 per hour, but this does not apply to nurses covered by the award.

It is important to separate the legal minimum (the award rate) from survey averages or negotiated salaries. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings across all industries were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. A travel nurse earning the award minimum of $1,219.50 per week is below that average, but many travel nurses negotiate higher pay through agencies or enterprise agreements. The award is only the floor.

Superannuation and other entitlements

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full‑time registered nurse earning the award minimum, the employer must contribute an additional $146.34 per week (12% of $1,219.50) to a complying super fund. This is not deducted from the employee’s pay; it is an extra cost to the employer.

Travel nurses also accrue leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards, including annual leave, personal leave, and long service leave, unless they are casual. Casual employees receive the 25% loading in lieu of paid leave.

Checking your pay

If you are a travel nurse, start by confirming your classification under the Nurses Award. Use the Which minimum wage applies guide to determine if you are award‑free or covered by an award. Then check the Rate tables for your specific classification and pay point. Remember that an enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower than the award.

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool that can calculate your minimum entitlements based on your circumstances. If you believe you are being underpaid, contact the Ombudsman or seek independent advice from a union or employer association.

Final note

The figures in this article are based on the Nurses Award 2020 as at August 2026. Award rates change periodically. Always refer to the latest pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman for the most current information.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.