Nurse Practitioner Salary Australia: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Take-Home Pay
A first-year nurse practitioner under the Nurses Award 2020 earns $49.39 per hour, or $1,877 per week for a 38‑hour week, with super and tax estimated.
Nurse Practitioner Salary Australia: Award Rates Explained
If you’re researching a nurse practitioner salary Australia, the most reliable source is the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum pay rates, casual loadings, overtime, and penalty rates for nurse practitioners across the country. The rates in this article are effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026, as published in the official pay guide and the Fair Work Commission determination.
What the Nurses Award 2020 Says
Under the award, a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced qualifications. The minimum weekly and hourly rates for a full-time employee (38 hours per week) are:
- 1st year: $1,877.00 per week, $49.39 per hour
- 2nd year: $1,932.70 per week, $50.86 per hour
These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees (pro rata). A part-time nurse practitioner works fewer than 38 hours per week but receives the same hourly rate. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate, as per clause 11.1 of the award.
Hourly, Weekly, and Annual Pay
To convert an hourly rate to annual pay, use the formula:
Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
Assuming a 38‑hour week (the standard for full-time under the award), a first-year nurse practitioner earns:
- Weekly: $1,877.00
- Fortnightly: $3,754.00 (weekly × 2)
- Annual: $49.39 × 38 × 52 = $97,594.64 (rounded to $97,595)
A second-year nurse practitioner earns:
- Weekly: $1,932.70
- Annual: $50.86 × 38 × 52 = $100,499.36 (rounded to $100,499)
These figures are before tax and super. Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings at 12% (the 2026–27 rate), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.
Casual Loading and Overtime
A casual nurse practitioner is paid an hourly rate that includes a 25% loading. For a first-year nurse practitioner:
- Casual hourly rate: $49.39 × 1.25 = $61.74
This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave (annual leave, personal leave). When a casual works overtime, the overtime rates in clause 19.2 of the award apply. For example, Monday to Saturday overtime is paid at 150% of the casual hourly rate for the first 2 hours and 200% after that. Sunday overtime is 200%, and public holidays 250%.
If you’re a casual employee, use the timesheet to calculate your pay. Enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) and check the “Add 25% casual loading” box. The tool will apply the loading automatically.
Superannuation and Tax
Under the award (clause 18) and the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, employers must contribute super at 12% of ordinary earnings. For a first-year nurse practitioner earning $97,595 annually, that’s an extra $11,711.40 in super contributions (paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it). The super guarantee stops once your earnings exceed $270,830.
For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates apply:
- $0 – $18,200: nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% of excess over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% of excess over $135,000
- Over $190,000: $51,370 + 45% of excess over $190,000
Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a first-year nurse practitioner earning $97,595, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is around $18,700, leaving a take-home pay of about $78,900 per year. Use our take-home pay guide for a detailed breakdown.
How This Compares to the National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A nurse practitioner’s minimum rate ($49.39) is nearly double that, reflecting the advanced qualifications and responsibilities. The award also provides higher rates for experienced nurse practitioners (e.g., Level 5, Grade 5: $65.11 per hour).
If you’re comparing a salary offer to an hourly rate, remember that the award rates are minimums. Many employers pay above the award. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly earnings (May 2026) are $2,083.70, which is higher than the award rates for nurse practitioners. However, award rates are the legal floor.
Using the Timesheet
Our hourly conversion tool helps you switch between hourly, weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay. Enter your base hourly rate (e.g., $49.39) and the tool assumes a 38‑hour week unless you change it. For casual employees, check the casual loading box to add 25%. The tool also estimates super and tax based on the 2026–27 rates.
Remember: annual pay is an estimate based on the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
For more award details, see our pay guides page, which links to the official Fair Work Ombudsman summaries.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.