What is the minimum hourly rate for a registered nurse in Perth?

Under the Nurses Award 2020, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour as of the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. Rates increase with experience and level, up to $52.50 per hour for Level 4 Grade 2.

How is annual salary calculated from an hourly rate for nurses?

Annual salary is estimated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time nurse working 38 hours per week, multiply the hourly rate by 38 then by 52. For example, $32.09 × 38 × 52 = $63,409.84. This assumes no overtime or penalty rates.

Does the nurse salary include superannuation and casual loading?

No. Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base). Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. Both are additional to the base salary shown in award pay guides.

Nurse Salary Perth: Understanding Award Rates and Annual Pay

A Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 in Perth earns $32.09 per hour under the Nurses Award, equating to approximately $63,400 per year based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding Nurse Salary Perth Under the Nurses Award

When researching nurse salary Perth, the most reliable source is the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034] from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum pay rates for nurses and assistants across Australia, including Perth. The rates are updated each year following the Annual Wage Review. For the 2026–27 financial year, the Fair Work Commission has published a pay guide showing hourly rates for classifications from nursing assistant to registered nurse level 4.

For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour. A more experienced Registered Nurse Level 2 Pay Point 4 earns $41.59 per hour. These are the minimum rates; many employers pay above award through enterprise agreements, but the award provides the legal baseline.

Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

To estimate annual pay from an hourly rate, use the formula:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time nurses, the award defines ordinary hours as 38 per week (or an average of 38). So for a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1:

$32.09 × 38 × 52 = $63,409.84 per year

This is a straightforward conversion assuming the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates. If you work part-time, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. The hourly conversion tool on this site can help you quickly switch between hourly and annual figures.

Fortnightly Pay and Casual Loading

Most nurses are paid fortnightly. Under the award, wages must be paid fortnightly unless otherwise agreed. A fortnightly gross pay is simply the weekly rate multiplied by 2. For a full-time RN Level 1 Pay Point 1, the weekly rate is $1,219.50, so fortnightly pay is $2,439.00 before tax.

Casual nurses receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For the same RN Level 1, the casual rate is $32.09 × 1.25 = $40.11 per hour. Casual employees also get a minimum of 2 hours’ pay per engagement and overtime rates if they work beyond ordinary hours. The casual loading page explains how this works.

Tax and Superannuation Considerations

When estimating take-home pay, remember that superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a nurse earning $63,409, super would be an additional $7,609.08 per year, contributed by the employer to your fund.

Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil on the first $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% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For a $63,409 annual salary, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be approximately $11,467, leaving a take-home of about $51,942 per year. This is a rough estimate; your actual tax depends on your circumstances. See the take-home pay guide for more details.

Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 for casuals including loading. All nurse classifications under the award pay above this minimum. For example, even a first-year nursing assistant earns $27.65 per hour, which is above the national minimum. The award ensures nurses are compensated for their skills and responsibilities.

Using the Pay Guide for Nurse Salary Perth

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for the Nurses Award (effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026) lists hourly rates for all classifications. You can find the full table in the reference tables section of this site. For a quick calculation, enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) into the timesheet to see annual, fortnightly, and weekly estimates.

Remember that the figures here are minimums. Actual nurse salary Perth may be higher due to experience, shift penalties, or enterprise bargaining. The award also provides for afternoon and night shift loadings (12.5% and 15% respectively) and overtime rates for casuals. These are not included in the simple hourly-to-annual conversion.

Summary

To summarise, a typical nurse salary Perth under the award is:

RN Level 1 Pay Point 1: $32.09/hour → $63,409/year
RN Level 2 Pay Point 4: $41.59/hour → $82,182/year
RN Level 4 Grade 2: $52.50/hour → $103,740/year

All figures assume 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Add 12% super on top. Use the super and packaging page to understand how salary sacrifice can affect your take-home pay.

This article uses data from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Nurses Award 2020 and the Pay Guide. Always check the award for the most current rates and conditions.