Anesthetic Nurse Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, Casual Loading, and Super

Understanding the Anesthetic Nurse Salary

If you are looking up an anesthetic nurse salary, you are likely comparing job offers or checking whether a pay rate meets award minimums. Anesthetic nurses in Australia are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum hourly rates, penalties, and allowances. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide that lists these rates, and the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database for official calculations. |

Under the award, a full-time employee works 38 hours per week (or an average of 38). Part-time employees work fewer hours on a pro-rata basis. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. The classification for an anesthetic nurse is typically Registered Nurse (RN) Level 1 or Level 2, depending on experience and qualifications. For example, the pay guide shows RN Level 1 pay point 2 at $32.75 per hour. This is the minimum you must be paid for ordinary hours.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

To convert an hourly rate to an annual figure, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a full-time anesthetic nurse on $32.75 per hour:

• Weekly pay: $32.75 × 38 = $1,244.50
• Fortnightly pay: $1,244.50 × 2 = $2,489.00
• Annual gross: $1,244.50 × 52 = $64,718.00

If you are a casual nurse, the base rate is higher because of the 25% loading. The casual hourly rate for RN Level 1 pay point 2 is $32.75 × 1.25 = $40.94. Using the same formula:

• Weekly casual pay: $40.94 × 38 = $1,555.72
• Fortnightly casual pay: $1,555.72 × 2 = $3,111.44
• Annual gross: $1,555.72 × 52 = $80,897.44

Remember that casual loading is paid instead of annual leave and sick leave. The award also requires a minimum of 2 hours’ pay per engagement for casuals. casual loading

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual loading of 25% is applied on top of the minimum hourly rate. This is clearly stated in the Nurses Award: for each ordinary hour, a casual employee must be paid the minimum hourly rate plus a loading of 25%. The loading is not included when calculating overtime or shift penalties; those are calculated on the base rate, then the casual loading is added.

Superannuation is paid on top of your gross earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a full-time RN Level 1 pay point 2 earning $64,718 annually, super would be $64,718 × 12% = $7,766.16. For a casual earning $80,897.44, super would be $80,897.44 × 12% = $9,707.69. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution by your employer. super and packaging

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on tax withheld. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

• Nil on income up to $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (assuming single, no reduction). For a full-time RN earning $64,718, the tax estimate is:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201–$45,000: ($45,000 – $18,200) × 15% = $4,020
• Tax on $45,001–$64,718: ($64,718 – $45,000) × 30% = $5,915.40
• Total tax: $9,935.40
• Medicare levy: $64,718 × 2% = $1,294.36
• Total deductions: $11,229.76
• Net annual: $64,718 – $11,229.76 = $53,488.24
• Net weekly: $53,488.24 ÷ 52 = $1,028.62

For a casual earning $80,897.44, the tax would be higher. Use the take-home pay page for a detailed estimate. Note that this calculation does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Using the Timesheet for Your Own Calculations

To work out your own anesthetic nurse salary, use the timesheet. Enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading). If you are casual, check the box to add 25% loading. The tool will show your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus an estimate of tax and super. Remember that super is paid on top and tax is an estimate based on the 2026–27 rates.

You can also refer to pay guides for award summaries and reference tables for up-to-date rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The hourly conversion page explains the formula in more detail.

Always check your specific award classification and any enterprise agreement that may apply. The rates above are minimums; many employers pay above award. For the most accurate figures, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or the Nurses Award directly.