Home / Pay guides / MA000034
Nurses Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], in force from 1 August 2026. The lowest adult rate is $25.69 an hour, or $32.11 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
Student enrolled nurse
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 21 years of age | $25.69 | $32.11 |
| 21 years of age and over | $26.97 | $33.71 |
Nursing assistant
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $27.65 | $34.56 |
| 2nd year | $28.09 | $35.11 |
| 3rd year and thereafter | $28.54 | $35.67 |
| Experienced (the holder of a relevant certificate III qualification) | $29.45 | $36.81 |
Enrolled nurse
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| Pay point 2 | $30.39 | $37.99 |
| Pay point 3 | $30.80 | $38.50 |
| Pay point 4 | $31.24 | $39.05 |
| Pay point 5 | $31.56 | $39.45 |
| Enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | $40.58 | $50.72 |
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 1 | $32.09 | $40.11 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 2 | $32.75 | $40.94 |
| 4 year degree | $33.51 | $41.89 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 3 | $33.55 | $41.94 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 1 — Pay point 1 | $34.45 | $43.06 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 4 | $34.45 | $43.06 |
| Masters degree | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 5 | $35.51 | $44.39 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 1 — Pay point 2 | $35.51 | $44.39 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 6 | $36.53 | $45.66 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 1 — Pay point 3 | $36.53 | $45.66 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 1 — Pay point 4 | $37.59 | $46.99 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 7 | $37.59 | $46.99 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 1 — Pay point 5 | $38.57 | $48.21 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — Pay point 8 and thereafter | $38.57 | $48.21 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 2 — Pay point 1 | $39.59 | $49.49 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — Pay point 1 | $39.59 | $49.49 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — Pay point 2 | $40.22 | $50.28 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 2 — Pay point 2 | $40.22 | $50.28 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 2 — Pay point 3 | $40.92 | $51.15 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — Pay point 3 | $40.92 | $51.15 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — First year of employment classified at this level | $41.36 | $51.70 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 2 — Pay point 4 | $41.59 | $51.99 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — Pay point 4 and thereafter | $41.59 | $51.99 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 3 — Pay point 1 | $42.93 | $53.66 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 — Pay point 1 | $42.93 | $53.66 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — In excess of 1 year and up to 4 years of employment classified at this level | $43.53 | $54.41 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 3 — Pay point 2 | $43.71 | $54.64 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 — Pay point 2 | $43.71 | $54.64 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 — Pay point 3 | $44.47 | $55.59 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 3 — Pay point 3 | $44.47 | $55.59 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 3 — Pay point 4 and thereafter | $45.27 | $56.59 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 — Pay point 4 and thereafter | $45.27 | $56.59 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 — In excess of 4 years of employment classified at this level | $47.40 | $59.25 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 — Grade 1 | $48.99 | $61.24 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 1 | $49.44 | $61.80 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — First 3 years of employment classified at this level | $51.26 | $64.08 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 2 | $52.06 | $65.08 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 — Grade 2 | $52.50 | $65.63 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 — In excess of 3 years of employment classified at this level | $53.84 | $67.30 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 — Grade 3 | $55.57 | $69.46 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 4 | $59.03 | $73.79 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 5 | $65.11 | $81.39 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 — Grade 6 | $71.23 | $89.04 |
Occupational health nurse
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Senior occupational health clinical nurse | $41.59 | $51.99 |
Registered nurses—aged care employees
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 3 | $55.11 | $68.89 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | $62.90 | $78.63 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | $71.35 | $89.19 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Less than 21 years of age.
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% · $38.54 | 150% · $38.54 |
| Sunday | 175% · $44.96 | 175% · $44.96 |
| Public holiday | 200% · $51.38 | 200% · $51.38 |
| Evening work | 112.5% · $28.90 | 137.5% · $35.32 |
| Night work | 115% · $29.54 | 140% · $35.97 |
| Overtime, first 2 hours | 150% · $38.54 | 150% of the casual rate · $48.17 |
| Overtime, after 2 hours | 200% · $51.38 | 200% of the casual rate · $64.22 |
Shiftworkers, juniors and apprentices can have different penalties, and some awards set more than one evening or night band (the lowest is shown). The award itself is the authority.
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Nurses Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Nurses Award?
From 1 August 2026, the lowest adult classification, Less than 21 years of age, is $25.69 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $32.11 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
What is the Sunday rate under the Nurses Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 175% of their base rate for work on a Sunday, which is $44.96 an hour at Less than 21 years of age. Casuals are paid $44.96 an hour at the same level.
What is the public holiday rate under the Nurses Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 200% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $51.38 an hour at Less than 21 years of age. Casuals are paid $51.38 an hour at the same level.
When do Nurses Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 1 August 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Nurses Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.