What is the salary for a registered nurse in Australia?

The salary for a registered nurse in Australia depends on their classification and pay point under the Nurses Award 2020. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour, or $1,219.50 per week for 38 hours, equating to about $63,414 per year. Higher classifications, such as Level 4 Grade 2, earn $52.50 per hour, or $2,730 annually. These are minimum award rates; actual salaries may be higher based on experience, location, or enterprise agreements.

How does casual loading affect a nurse's pay?

Casual employees under the Nurses Award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a casual Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 would be paid $40.11 per hour ($32.09 + 25%). This loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave. When calculating annual pay for a casual nurse, use the casual hourly rate and multiply by hours per week and 52 weeks. The loading is applied to the base rate, not on top of penalty rates.

Are super and tax included in the salary calculation?

Superannuation is paid on top of the salary. Employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base) to a super fund. Tax is deducted from the salary using the 2026–27 resident tax scale: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy of 2% also applies. Our calculator estimates take-home pay after tax and super, but does not include HELP, MLS, or salary packaging.

Salary for Nurses in Australia: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Annual Pay Calculations

For a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1, the hourly rate is $32.09, giving an annual salary of approximately $63,414 based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding the Salary for Nurses in Australia

When researching the salary for nurses in Australia, the first place to look is the Nurses Award 2020 from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum pay rates for nurses and assistants across classifications. The rates are updated annually following the Fair Work Commission’s wage review, with the latest figures effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026.

How Annual Pay Is Calculated

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time nurses, the standard ordinary hours are 38 per week (or an average of 38 over a roster cycle). So if you know the hourly rate, multiply by 38 and then by 52. For example, a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour. That gives:

Weekly pay: $32.09 × 38 = $1,219.42 (the award lists $1,219.50)
Annual pay: $1,219.50 × 52 = $63,414

You can also think in fortnights: weekly pay × 2. For the same nurse, fortnightly pay is $2,439.

Award Rates vs. 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. All nurse classifications under the award are paid above this minimum. For instance, even a nursing assistant in their first year earns $27.65 per hour, well above the national floor. The award also includes higher rates for qualifications and experience, such as a Registered Nurse with a master’s degree at $34.66 per hour.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual nurses receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it. For example, a casual Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 would be paid $40.11 per hour ($32.09 + 25%). When using our timesheet calculator, enter the base hourly rate and check the casual loading box – do not enter a rate that already includes the loading.

Penalty rates apply for overtime, weekends, and public holidays. Saturday work is paid at 150% of the casual rate, Sunday at 200%, and public holidays at 250%. Shiftworkers also receive loadings (e.g., 12.5% for afternoon shifts). These extras are not included in the basic annual salary calculation but can significantly increase take-home pay.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. Employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base) to a complying super fund. For the RN example above, that’s an extra $7,610 per year in super, bringing total remuneration to about $71,024.

Tax is deducted from your salary using the 2026–27 resident tax scale:

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 the Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners). Our take-home pay tool estimates net pay after tax and Medicare, but does not account for HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Comparing with Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 8 earns $1,465.50 per week, which is below that average. However, more senior nurses (Level 4 Grade 2 at $1,995.10 per week) are close to the national average. Keep in mind that the ABS figure includes all industries and senior roles, while award rates are minimums.

Using Our Tools

To calculate your own salary for nurses in Australia, start with the the timesheet calculator. Enter your hourly rate (or the award rate for your classification), select 38 hours per week, and see the annual figure. You can also browse pay guides for other awards or check the minimum wage page for comparisons. For a deeper look at how casual loading works, visit our casual loading guide.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, 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.