Paediatric Nurse Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay & Award Guide 2026–27

Paediatric Nurse Salary: Understanding Your Pay

If you are looking up a paediatric nurse salary, you are likely comparing hourly rates, annual pay, and the effect of superannuation and tax. This guide uses the Nurses Award 2020 from the Fair Work Ombudsman to show how ordinary-time earnings convert to yearly figures. We assume a standard 38-hour week unless stated otherwise.

How Annual Pay Is Calculated

The basic formula for annual gross pay is:

hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time nurse working 38 hours each week, that gives a straightforward annual figure. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 pay point 1 on $32.09 per hour earns:

$32.09 × 38 × 52 = $63,414 per year

This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is an estimate, not a determination of your actual pay.

You can also think in fortnights. A full-time nurse’s weekly pay is $1,219.50, so the fortnightly gross is $2,439.00. That can be useful for budgeting or comparing with award payment cycles (the award says wages must be paid fortnightly unless agreed otherwise).

Award Rates for Paediatric Nurses

Paediatric nurses are classified under the Nurses Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes minimum rates that apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. Here are key classifications:

• Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 1: $32.09/hour, $1,219.50/week
• Registered Nurse Level 1, pay point 4: $34.45/hour, $1,309.00/week
• Registered Nurse Level 2, pay point 1: $39.59/hour, $1,504.40/week
• Registered Nurse Level 3, pay point 1: $42.93/hour, $1,631.20/week

These rates are the minimum. Many employers pay above award, especially in specialised areas like paediatrics. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which is higher than the award rates for most nurse levels.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual paediatric nurse, you receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For a Level 1 pay point 1 nurse, the casual rate is $32.09 × 1.25 = $40.11 per hour. This loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. When using the timesheet, you can check the box to add the 25% casual loading on top of the base rate – never enter a rate that already includes loading.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a nurse earning $63,414, the employer would contribute an extra $7,609.68 per year. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional benefit. See super and packaging for more.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15¢ for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30¢ for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37¢ for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001 and over: $51,370 plus 45¢ for each $1 over $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a nurse on $63,414, the tax would be approximately $4,020 + 30% of ($63,414 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,524.20 = $9,544.20, plus Medicare of $1,268.28, giving total tax of $10,812.48. Take-home pay would be around $52,601.52 per year, or $1,011.57 per week. Use take-home pay for a more detailed estimate.

Note that HELP debts, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not included here. The Medicare reduction thresholds used are from 2025–26 because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide.

Using the Timesheet

Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. You can toggle casual loading on or off. The results show gross pay, estimated super, and estimated tax. Remember that the annual figure is based on 38 hours per week – adjust if your hours differ. For part-time or casual work, the same formula applies: hourly rate × actual hours per week × 52.

For more detail on award rates, see pay guides for the Nurses Award summary. You can also compare your rate to the minimum wage or the average pay for all employees.

Summary

A paediatric nurse salary depends on classification, experience, and employment type. Using the award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman, a typical full-time Registered Nurse Level 1 earns about $63,414 per year before tax and super. Casual nurses get a 25% loading. Super is paid on top at 12%. The formula is simple: hourly rate × 38 × 52. Use our tools to convert your own rate and see the full picture.