Nurses Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Nurses Award 2020. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 11.1).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant — 1st year | $1,050.70 | $27.65 | $34.56 |
| Nursing assistant — 2nd year | $1,067.30 | $28.09 | $35.11 |
| Nursing assistant — 3rd year and thereafter | $1,084.40 | $28.54 | $35.68 |
| Nursing assistant — experienced (Certificate III) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $976.20 | $25.69 | $32.11 |
| Student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $1,024.70 | $26.97 | $33.71 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 1 | $1,139.90 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 2 | $1,155.00 | $30.39 | $37.99 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 3 | $1,170.40 | $30.80 | $38.50 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 4 | $1,187.20 | $31.24 | $39.05 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 5 | $1,199.20 | $31.56 | $39.45 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $1,219.50 | $32.09 | $40.11 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $1,244.50 | $32.75 | $40.94 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $1,275.00 | $33.55 | $41.94 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $43.06 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $44.39 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 6 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 | $45.66 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 7 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 | $46.99 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 8 and thereafter | $1,465.50 | $38.57 | $48.21 |
| Registered nurse entry — 4-year degree | $1,273.40 | $33.51 | $41.89 |
| Registered nurse entry — Masters degree | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 | $49.49 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 | $50.28 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 | $51.15 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 | $53.66 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 | $54.64 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 | $55.59 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 | $56.59 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 1 | $1,861.70 | $48.99 | $61.24 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 2 | $1,995.10 | $52.50 | $65.63 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $69.46 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 1 | $1,878.60 | $49.44 | $61.80 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 2 | $1,978.40 | $52.06 | $65.08 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $69.46 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 4 | $2,243.10 | $59.03 | $73.79 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 5 | $2,474.10 | $65.11 | $81.39 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 6 | $2,706.90 | $71.23 | $89.04 |
| Nurse practitioner — 1st year | $1,877.00 | $49.39 | $61.74 |
| Nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $1,932.70 | $50.86 | $63.58 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $43.06 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $44.39 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 | $45.66 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 | $46.99 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $1,465.50 | $38.57 | $48.21 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 | $49.49 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 | $50.28 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 | $51.15 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 4 | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 |
| Senior occupational health clinical nurse | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 | $53.66 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 | $54.64 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 | $55.59 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 | $56.59 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $1,122.60 | $29.54 | $36.93 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $1,178.30 | $31.01 | $38.76 |
| Aged care enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | $1,542.00 | $40.58 | $50.73 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — first year at level | $1,571.60 | $41.36 | $51.70 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 1 and up to 4 years | $1,654.30 | $43.53 | $54.41 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 4 years | $1,801.10 | $47.40 | $59.25 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — first 3 years at level | $1,947.70 | $51.26 | $64.08 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — over 3 years | $2,046.00 | $53.84 | $67.30 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 3 | $2,094.20 | $55.11 | $68.89 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 4 | $2,390.30 | $62.90 | $78.63 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 5 | $2,711.30 | $71.35 | $89.19 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 1st year | $2,158.60 | $56.81 | $71.01 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $2,222.70 | $58.49 | $73.11 |
Weekly rates are the award’s minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (cl 15.1 and 15.3); hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38.
Which level am I?
- Two rate streams: Clause 15.1 applies to every employee except aged care employees. Clause 15.3 applies to aged care employees — nurses providing services to aged persons in a nursing home, hostel, retirement village or other residential facility, or in an aged person's private home. Rows beginning “Aged care” are clause 15.3 rates.
- Pay point progression: Outside aged care, a full-time nurse moves up a pay point each year; a part-time or casual nurse after 1786 hours of experience (cl 15.2).
- Graduate entry: A registered nurse entering with a 4-year degree starts on $1,273.40 a week and one with a Masters degree on $1,317.20, then progresses to level 1 pay point 4 and pay point 5 respectively (cl 15.1(c)(ii)).
- Nursing assistants in aged care: Since 1 January 2025, nursing assistants providing care to aged persons in aged care or home care are not covered by this award (cl 4.4). Residential aged care nursing assistants are paid under the Aged Care Award.
Two rate streams, and casual weekend rates compound
The award has one scale for aged care employees (clause 15.3) and another for everyone else (clause 15.1), and the same nominal level pays differently in each: an aged care RN level 1 starts on $41.36 against $32.09 elsewhere. For casuals, afternoon and night shift loadings add to the 25% loading (137.5% and 140%), but weekend and public holiday rates are a percentage of the casual rate — a casual RN level 1 on a Saturday is paid $60.17, not $56.16.
Nurses Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Mon–Fri100% | Afternoon shift112.5% | Night shift115% | Saturday150% | Sunday175% | Public holiday200% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant — 1st year | $27.65 | $31.11 | $31.80 | $41.48 | $48.39 | $55.30 |
| Nursing assistant — 2nd year | $28.09 | $31.60 | $32.30 | $42.14 | $49.16 | $56.18 |
| Nursing assistant — 3rd year and thereafter | $28.54 | $32.11 | $32.82 | $42.81 | $49.95 | $57.08 |
| Nursing assistant — experienced (Certificate III) | $29.45 | $33.13 | $33.87 | $44.18 | $51.54 | $58.90 |
| Student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $25.69 | $28.90 | $29.54 | $38.54 | $44.96 | $51.38 |
| Student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $26.97 | $30.34 | $31.02 | $40.46 | $47.20 | $53.94 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 1 | $30.00 | $33.75 | $34.50 | $45.00 | $52.50 | $60.00 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 2 | $30.39 | $34.19 | $34.95 | $45.59 | $53.18 | $60.78 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 3 | $30.80 | $34.65 | $35.42 | $46.20 | $53.90 | $61.60 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 4 | $31.24 | $35.15 | $35.93 | $46.86 | $54.67 | $62.48 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 5 | $31.56 | $35.51 | $36.29 | $47.34 | $55.23 | $63.12 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $32.09 | $36.10 | $36.90 | $48.14 | $56.16 | $64.18 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $32.75 | $36.84 | $37.66 | $49.13 | $57.31 | $65.50 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $33.55 | $37.74 | $38.58 | $50.33 | $58.71 | $67.10 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $34.45 | $38.76 | $39.62 | $51.68 | $60.29 | $68.90 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $35.51 | $39.95 | $40.84 | $53.27 | $62.14 | $71.02 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 6 | $36.53 | $41.10 | $42.01 | $54.80 | $63.93 | $73.06 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 7 | $37.59 | $42.29 | $43.23 | $56.39 | $65.78 | $75.18 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 8 and thereafter | $38.57 | $43.39 | $44.36 | $57.86 | $67.50 | $77.14 |
| Registered nurse entry — 4-year degree | $33.51 | $37.70 | $38.54 | $50.27 | $58.64 | $67.02 |
| Registered nurse entry — Masters degree | $34.66 | $38.99 | $39.86 | $51.99 | $60.66 | $69.32 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $39.59 | $44.54 | $45.53 | $59.39 | $69.28 | $79.18 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $40.22 | $45.25 | $46.25 | $60.33 | $70.39 | $80.44 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $40.92 | $46.04 | $47.06 | $61.38 | $71.61 | $81.84 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $41.59 | $46.79 | $47.83 | $62.39 | $72.78 | $83.18 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $42.93 | $48.30 | $49.37 | $64.40 | $75.13 | $85.86 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $43.71 | $49.17 | $50.27 | $65.57 | $76.49 | $87.42 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $44.47 | $50.03 | $51.14 | $66.71 | $77.82 | $88.94 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $45.27 | $50.93 | $52.06 | $67.91 | $79.22 | $90.54 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 1 | $48.99 | – | – | $73.49 | $85.73 | $97.98 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 2 | $52.50 | – | – | $78.75 | $91.88 | $105.00 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 3 | $55.57 | – | – | $83.36 | $97.25 | $111.14 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 1 | $49.44 | – | – | $74.16 | $86.52 | $98.88 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 2 | $52.06 | – | – | $78.09 | $91.11 | $104.12 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 3 | $55.57 | – | – | $83.36 | $97.25 | $111.14 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 4 | $59.03 | – | – | $88.55 | $103.30 | $118.06 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 5 | $65.11 | – | – | $97.67 | $113.94 | $130.22 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 6 | $71.23 | – | – | $106.85 | $124.65 | $142.46 |
| Nurse practitioner — 1st year | $49.39 | $55.56 | $56.80 | $74.09 | $86.43 | $98.78 |
| Nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $50.86 | $57.22 | $58.49 | $76.29 | $89.01 | $101.72 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $34.45 | $38.76 | $39.62 | $51.68 | $60.29 | $68.90 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $35.51 | $39.95 | $40.84 | $53.27 | $62.14 | $71.02 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $36.53 | $41.10 | $42.01 | $54.80 | $63.93 | $73.06 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $37.59 | $42.29 | $43.23 | $56.39 | $65.78 | $75.18 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $38.57 | $43.39 | $44.36 | $57.86 | $67.50 | $77.14 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $39.59 | $44.54 | $45.53 | $59.39 | $69.28 | $79.18 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $40.22 | $45.25 | $46.25 | $60.33 | $70.39 | $80.44 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $40.92 | $46.04 | $47.06 | $61.38 | $71.61 | $81.84 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 4 | $41.59 | $46.79 | $47.83 | $62.39 | $72.78 | $83.18 |
| Senior occupational health clinical nurse | $41.59 | $46.79 | $47.83 | $62.39 | $72.78 | $83.18 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $42.93 | $48.30 | $49.37 | $64.40 | $75.13 | $85.86 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $43.71 | $49.17 | $50.27 | $65.57 | $76.49 | $87.42 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $44.47 | $50.03 | $51.14 | $66.71 | $77.82 | $88.94 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $45.27 | $50.93 | $52.06 | $67.91 | $79.22 | $90.54 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $29.54 | $33.23 | $33.97 | $44.31 | $51.70 | $59.08 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $31.01 | $34.89 | $35.66 | $46.52 | $54.27 | $62.02 |
| Aged care enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | $40.58 | $45.65 | $46.67 | $60.87 | $71.02 | $81.16 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — first year at level | $41.36 | $46.53 | $47.56 | $62.04 | $72.38 | $82.72 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 1 and up to 4 years | $43.53 | $48.97 | $50.06 | $65.30 | $76.18 | $87.06 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 4 years | $47.40 | $53.33 | $54.51 | $71.10 | $82.95 | $94.80 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — first 3 years at level | $51.26 | $57.67 | $58.95 | $76.89 | $89.71 | $102.52 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — over 3 years | $53.84 | $60.57 | $61.92 | $80.76 | $94.22 | $107.68 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 3 | $55.11 | $62.00 | $63.38 | $82.67 | $96.44 | $110.22 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 4 | $62.90 | – | – | $94.35 | $110.08 | $125.80 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 5 | $71.35 | – | – | $107.03 | $124.86 | $142.70 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 1st year | $56.81 | $63.91 | $65.33 | $85.22 | $99.42 | $113.62 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $58.49 | $65.80 | $67.26 | $87.74 | $102.36 | $116.98 |
Casual
| Classification | Mon–Fri125% | Afternoon shift137.5% | Night shift140% | Saturday150% of casual rate | Sunday175% of casual rate | Public holiday200% of casual rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant — 1st year | $34.56 | $38.02 | $38.71 | $51.84 | $60.48 | $69.12 |
| Nursing assistant — 2nd year | $35.11 | $38.62 | $39.33 | $52.67 | $61.44 | $70.22 |
| Nursing assistant — 3rd year and thereafter | $35.68 | $39.24 | $39.96 | $53.52 | $62.44 | $71.36 |
| Nursing assistant — experienced (Certificate III) | $36.81 | $40.49 | $41.23 | $55.22 | $64.42 | $73.62 |
| Student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $32.11 | $35.32 | $35.97 | $48.17 | $56.19 | $64.22 |
| Student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $33.71 | $37.08 | $37.76 | $50.57 | $58.99 | $67.42 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 1 | $37.50 | $41.25 | $42.00 | $56.25 | $65.63 | $75.00 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 2 | $37.99 | $41.79 | $42.55 | $56.99 | $66.48 | $75.98 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 3 | $38.50 | $42.35 | $43.12 | $57.75 | $67.38 | $77.00 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 4 | $39.05 | $42.96 | $43.74 | $58.58 | $68.34 | $78.10 |
| Enrolled nurse — pay point 5 | $39.45 | $43.40 | $44.18 | $59.18 | $69.04 | $78.90 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $40.11 | $44.12 | $44.93 | $60.17 | $70.19 | $80.22 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $40.94 | $45.03 | $45.85 | $61.41 | $71.65 | $81.88 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $41.94 | $46.13 | $46.97 | $62.91 | $73.40 | $83.88 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $43.06 | $47.37 | $48.23 | $64.59 | $75.36 | $86.12 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $44.39 | $48.83 | $49.71 | $66.59 | $77.68 | $88.78 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 6 | $45.66 | $50.23 | $51.14 | $68.49 | $79.91 | $91.32 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 7 | $46.99 | $51.69 | $52.63 | $70.49 | $82.23 | $93.98 |
| Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 8 and thereafter | $48.21 | $53.03 | $54.00 | $72.32 | $84.37 | $96.42 |
| Registered nurse entry — 4-year degree | $41.89 | $46.08 | $46.91 | $62.84 | $73.31 | $83.78 |
| Registered nurse entry — Masters degree | $43.33 | $47.66 | $48.52 | $65.00 | $75.83 | $86.66 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $49.49 | $54.44 | $55.43 | $74.24 | $86.61 | $98.98 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $50.28 | $55.30 | $56.31 | $75.42 | $87.99 | $100.56 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $51.15 | $56.27 | $57.29 | $76.73 | $89.51 | $102.30 |
| Registered nurse level 2 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $51.99 | $57.19 | $58.23 | $77.99 | $90.98 | $103.98 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $53.66 | $59.03 | $60.10 | $80.49 | $93.91 | $107.32 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $54.64 | $60.10 | $61.19 | $81.96 | $95.62 | $109.28 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $55.59 | $61.15 | $62.26 | $83.39 | $97.28 | $111.18 |
| Registered nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $56.59 | $62.25 | $63.38 | $84.89 | $99.03 | $113.18 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 1 | $61.24 | – | – | $91.86 | $107.17 | $122.48 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 2 | $65.63 | – | – | $98.45 | $114.85 | $131.26 |
| Registered nurse level 4 — grade 3 | $69.46 | – | – | $104.19 | $121.56 | $138.92 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 1 | $61.80 | – | – | $92.70 | $108.15 | $123.60 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 2 | $65.08 | – | – | $97.62 | $113.89 | $130.16 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 3 | $69.46 | – | – | $104.19 | $121.56 | $138.92 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 4 | $73.79 | – | – | $110.69 | $129.13 | $147.58 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 5 | $81.39 | – | – | $122.09 | $142.43 | $162.78 |
| Registered nurse level 5 — grade 6 | $89.04 | – | – | $133.56 | $155.82 | $178.08 |
| Nurse practitioner — 1st year | $61.74 | $67.91 | $69.15 | $92.61 | $108.05 | $123.48 |
| Nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $63.58 | $69.93 | $71.20 | $95.37 | $111.27 | $127.16 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | $43.06 | $47.37 | $48.23 | $64.59 | $75.36 | $86.12 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 2 | $44.39 | $48.83 | $49.71 | $66.59 | $77.68 | $88.78 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 3 | $45.66 | $50.23 | $51.14 | $68.49 | $79.91 | $91.32 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 4 | $46.99 | $51.69 | $52.63 | $70.49 | $82.23 | $93.98 |
| Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 5 | $48.21 | $53.03 | $54.00 | $72.32 | $84.37 | $96.42 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 1 | $49.49 | $54.44 | $55.43 | $74.24 | $86.61 | $98.98 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 2 | $50.28 | $55.30 | $56.31 | $75.42 | $87.99 | $100.56 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 3 | $51.15 | $56.27 | $57.29 | $76.73 | $89.51 | $102.30 |
| Occupational health nurse level 2 — pay point 4 | $51.99 | $57.19 | $58.23 | $77.99 | $90.98 | $103.98 |
| Senior occupational health clinical nurse | $51.99 | $57.19 | $58.23 | $77.99 | $90.98 | $103.98 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 1 | $53.66 | $59.03 | $60.10 | $80.49 | $93.91 | $107.32 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 2 | $54.64 | $60.10 | $61.19 | $81.96 | $95.62 | $109.28 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 3 | $55.59 | $61.15 | $62.26 | $83.39 | $97.28 | $111.18 |
| Occupational health nurse level 3 — pay point 4 and thereafter | $56.59 | $62.25 | $63.38 | $84.89 | $99.03 | $113.18 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — under 21 | $36.93 | $40.62 | $41.36 | $55.40 | $64.63 | $73.86 |
| Aged care student enrolled nurse — 21 and over | $38.76 | $42.64 | $43.41 | $58.14 | $67.83 | $77.52 |
| Aged care enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | $50.73 | $55.80 | $56.81 | $76.10 | $88.78 | $101.46 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — first year at level | $51.70 | $56.87 | $57.90 | $77.55 | $90.48 | $103.40 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 1 and up to 4 years | $54.41 | $59.85 | $60.94 | $81.62 | $95.22 | $108.82 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 1 — over 4 years | $59.25 | $65.18 | $66.36 | $88.88 | $103.69 | $118.50 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — first 3 years at level | $64.08 | $70.48 | $71.76 | $96.12 | $112.14 | $128.16 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 2 — over 3 years | $67.30 | $74.03 | $75.38 | $100.95 | $117.78 | $134.60 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 3 | $68.89 | $75.78 | $77.15 | $103.34 | $120.56 | $137.78 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 4 | $78.63 | – | – | $117.95 | $137.60 | $157.26 |
| Aged care registered nurse level 5 | $89.19 | – | – | $133.79 | $156.08 | $178.38 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 1st year | $71.01 | $78.11 | $79.53 | $106.52 | $124.27 | $142.02 |
| Aged care nurse practitioner — 2nd year | $73.11 | $80.42 | $81.89 | $109.67 | $127.94 | $146.22 |
Casual columns marked “of casual rate” apply the percentage to the casual hourly rate; the others are a percentage of the minimum rate that already includes the loading. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Nurses Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon shift, Monday to Friday (starts at or after noon, finishes after 6.00 pm) | 112.5% | $36.10 | 137.5% | $44.12 |
| Night shift, Monday to Friday (starts at or after 6.00 pm, finishes before 7.30 am) | 115% | $36.90 | 140% | $44.93 |
| Saturday (midnight Friday to midnight Saturday) | 150% | $48.14 | 150%of casual rate | $60.17 |
| Sunday (midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday) | 175% | $56.16 | 175%of casual rate | $70.19 |
| Public holidayPublic holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 200% | $64.18 | 200%of casual rate | $80.22 |
Source: cl 20.2, 21 and 28.2.
Casual shift loadings are worked out on the minimum hourly rate and the 25% casual loading is then added (cl 11.4), so a casual afternoon shift is 137.5% and a night shift 140%. Weekend and public holiday rates are the other way round: they are a percentage of the casual hourly rate (cl 21, 28.2), so a casual Saturday is 150% of the casual rate — 187.5% of the minimum rate.
Shift loadings do not apply on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, where the weekend or public holiday rate is paid instead (cl 20.2(d)), and do not apply to registered nurse levels 4 and 5 (cl 20.2(e)).
Christmas Day falling on a weekend attracts an extra 50% loading in businesses that operate 7 days a week (cl 28.2(b)).
Nurses Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday — first 2 hours | 150% | $48.14 | 150% of casual rate · $60.17 |
| Monday to Saturday — after 2 hours | 200% | $64.18 | 200% of casual rate · $80.22 |
| Sunday | 200% | $64.18 | 200% of casual rate · $80.22 |
| Public holiday | 250% | $80.23 | 250% of casual rate · $100.28 |
Source: cl 19.1 and 19.2.
Casual overtime is a percentage of the casual hourly rate (cl 19.2), so it includes the loading. Overtime replaces shift loadings and weekend penalties rather than adding to them (cl 19.1(c)). Overtime rates do not apply to registered nurse levels 4 and 5 (cl 19.1(b)).
A nurse recalled to the workplace is paid for at least 3 hours at the overtime rate; recall handled by phone or electronically is paid for at least one hour (cl 19.6–19.7).
Nurses Award Junior Rates
The Nurses Award has no junior rates. The only age-based rates are for student enrolled nurses under 21, shown in the rate table; every other classification is paid the same at any age. Any age-percentage table attributed to the Nurses Award is not from the award.
Nurses Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 17, operative from 1 July 2026. Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| On-call — Monday to Friday | $28.66 per 24 hours or part | cl 17.2(a) |
| On-call — Saturday | $43.17 per 24 hours or part | cl 17.2(a) |
| On-call — Sunday, public holiday or non-rostered day | $50.37 per 24 hours or part | cl 17.2(a) |
| Uniform allowance (instead of supplied uniforms)Or $6.41 a week, whichever is less. | $1.26 per shift | cl 17.3(a)(ii) |
| Laundry allowanceOr $1.53 a week, whichever is less. | $0.33 per shift | cl 17.3(a)(iii) |
| Meal allowance (overtime of more than one hour)A further $15.60 where the overtime exceeds 4 hours (cl 17.3(b)(ii)). | $17.30 per occasion | cl 17.3(b)(i) |
| Motor vehicle allowance (own vehicle) | $1.01 per km | cl 17.3(c)(i) |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- A shift is at most 10 ordinary hours, excluding meal breaks (cl 13.1(d)). A day worker's ordinary hours fall between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday (cl 13.1(a)).
- A casual is paid for at least 2 hours each engagement (cl 11.3).
- Shiftworkers get the higher of the 17.5% annual leave loading or the shift and weekend penalties they would have earned (cl 22.5(b)).
What does a nurses award rate take home?
- Take-home on $29.45/hr (Nursing assistant — experienced (Certificate III))
- Take-home on $30.00/hr (Enrolled nurse — pay point 1)
- Take-home on $34.45/hr (Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 4)
- Take-home on $34.45/hr (Occupational health nurse level 1 — pay point 1)
- Take-home on $40.58/hr (Aged care enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees)
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- Retained rates for aged care nurses translated on 1 March 2025 (Schedule F.3) — some are higher than the current table
- Higher duties (cl 15.4) and the Christmas Day weekend loading in dollars (cl 28.2(b))
- Allowances do not apply to registered nurse levels 4 and 5 (cl 17.1)
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Rates for employees other than aged care employees apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. The aged care enrolled and registered nurse rates in clause 15.3 apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026. If your pay period began before 1 July 2026, the previous rate lawfully applies to that whole period and the rise starts with the next one. The award was varied by determination PR799315 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurses Award questions and answers
What are the nurses award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), adult minimum rates run from $25.69 an hour ($976.20 a week) for Student enrolled nurse — under 21 to $71.35 an hour ($2,711.30 a week) for Aged care registered nurse level 5. They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate under the Nurses Award?
Registered nurse level 1 — pay point 1 is $40.11 an hour as a casual. Casuals receive 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. Afternoon and night shift loadings are calculated on the minimum rate and the 25% is then added (137.5% and 140%), but Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and overtime rates are a percentage of the casual hourly rate, so they compound — a casual Saturday is 150% of the casual rate, or 187.5% of the minimum rate.
What allowances are paid under the Nurses Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 17) includes: on-call — Monday to Friday $28.66 per 24 hours or part; on-call — Saturday $43.17 per 24 hours or part; on-call — Sunday, public holiday or non-rostered day $50.37 per 24 hours or part; uniform allowance (instead of supplied uniforms) $1.26 per shift; laundry allowance $0.33 per shift. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
Does the Nurses Award have junior rates?
The Nurses Award has no junior rates. The only age-based rates are for student enrolled nurses under 21, shown in the rate table; every other classification is paid the same at any age.
When did the new nurses award rates start?
Rates for employees other than aged care employees apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. The aged care enrolled and registered nurse rates in clause 15.3 apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026. The MA000034 rates were varied by determination PR799315 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If your pay period started before 1 July 2026, the old rate lawfully applies to that whole period.
How much does a registered nurse earn under the Nurses Award?
Outside aged care, a level 1 registered nurse earns $32.09 to $38.57 an hour across 8 pay points ($1,219.50 to $1,465.50 a week). A graduate with a 4-year degree starts on $33.51 and one with a Masters degree on $34.66. Level 2 starts at $39.59 and level 3 at $42.93.
What are aged care nurse rates from 1 August 2026?
The final aged care work value increase took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026 (PR812118). An aged care registered nurse level 1 earns $41.36 an hour in the first year, $43.53 after one year and $47.40 after four. An enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees earns $40.58.
What is the Nurses Award shift penalty?
Monday to Friday, an afternoon shift (starting at or after noon and finishing after 6.00 pm) carries a 12.5% loading and a night shift (starting at or after 6.00 pm and finishing before 7.30 am) 15%. Saturday is 150%, Sunday 175% and public holidays 200%. For a level 1 pay point 1 RN that is $36.10, $36.90, $48.14, $56.16 and $64.18 an hour. Shift loadings do not apply to registered nurse levels 4 and 5.
How much does a nurse practitioner earn under the award?
A nurse practitioner earns $49.39 an hour ($1,877.00 a week) in the first year and $50.86 in the second, or $56.81 and $58.49 in aged care.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 23 September 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000034 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 August 2026 (PR812118). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including which casual penalties add the loading and which compound on the casual rate. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Consolidated award text — Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034)— Fair Work Commission
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000034— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
Accountancy degree (2015); certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One
Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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