How do I calculate my annual pediatric nurse salary from my hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by your weekly ordinary hours (usually 38 for full-time under the Nurses Award) and then by 52 weeks. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 3 earning $33.55 per hour would have an annual gross of $33.55 × 38 × 52 = $66,298.80. This assumes no overtime, penalties, or allowances. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide provides the base rates for each classification.

What is the casual loading for a pediatric nurse, and how does it affect pay?

Under the Nurses Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 3, the casual hourly rate would be $33.55 + 25% = $41.94. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave. The casual loading is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it. You can use our [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) page to calculate the total.

How is tax and Medicare applied to my pediatric nurse salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. Using the example annual salary of $66,298.80, tax would be approximately $11,467 and Medicare $1,326, leaving an estimated take-home pay of $53,506. See our [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) page for a detailed breakdown.

Understanding Your Pediatric Nurse Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion and Tax Guide

For a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 3 under the Nurses Award, the hourly rate is $33.55, leading to an annual gross of approximately $66,298.80 based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding Your Pediatric Nurse Salary

If you are a paediatric nurse (or considering the role), knowing your pediatric nurse salary from an hourly rate to an annual figure is essential for budgeting, tax planning, and comparing job offers. This guide uses the latest award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman and explains how to convert your pay, including superannuation and tax.

Hourly to Annual Conversion

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

Under the Nurses Award 2020, full-time employees work 38 ordinary hours per week (or an average of 38). Part-time employees work fewer hours, and their entitlements are pro-rata. For a full-time registered nurse, we assume 38 hours per week.

For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 3 earns $33.55 per hour according to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide. Their annual gross salary is:

$33.55 × 38 × 52 = $66,298.80

This figure does not include overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. It is a base estimate.

Fortnightly Pay

Most nurses are paid fortnightly. The fortnightly gross is simply the weekly pay multiplied by two. Using the same example:

Weekly pay = $33.55 × 38 = $1,274.90 Fortnightly pay = $1,274.90 × 2 = $2,549.80

Distinguishing Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and Casual Loading

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). However, most nurses are covered by the Nurses Award, which sets higher minimum rates based on classification and experience. For instance, an enrolled nurse at pay point 1 earns $30.00 per hour, while a registered nurse at level 1 pay point 8 earns $38.57 per hour.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a casual registered nurse at level 1 pay point 3, the casual rate is $33.55 + 25% = $41.94 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading into our timesheet; instead, use the base rate and check the casual loading box.

Superannuation

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund, paid on top of your salary. For the example annual salary of $66,298.80, the super contribution would be $7,955.86 (capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830). This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional benefit.

Tax and Medicare

Your annual gross salary is used to calculate income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

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

The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. Using the example salary of $66,298.80:

Tax: approximately $11,467 (calculated using the above brackets)
Medicare: $66,298.80 × 2% = $1,325.98
Estimated take-home pay: $66,298.80 – $11,467 – $1,325.98 = $53,505.82

This estimate assumes you claim the full tax-free threshold and no other deductions or offsets. For a more detailed breakdown, see our take-home pay page.

Other Considerations

Penalty rates and overtime: The Nurses Award provides higher pay for work on weekends, public holidays, and outside ordinary hours. These are not included in the base annual estimate.
Allowances: Some roles attract allowances (e.g., shiftwork loading of 12.5% for afternoon shifts). These add to your gross pay.
Salary packaging: Some employers offer salary sacrifice arrangements, which can reduce taxable income. This is not reflected in the basic conversion.

Using Our Tools

To calculate your own pediatric nurse salary, enter your base hourly rate into our timesheet. The tool will show your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay. You can also toggle casual loading to see the difference. For reference tables of award rates, visit our reference tables page.

Remember, the annual figure is an estimate based on consistent hours and no unpaid overtime. Always check your specific award classification and any enterprise agreements that may apply.