Nurse salary under the Nurses Award 2020
The Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) sets minimum pay rates for nurses and midwives in Australia. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. The award covers nursing assistants, enrolled nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and occupational health nurses. All rates below are for full‑time employees working 38 hours a week.
Nursing assistant rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $1,050.70 | $27.65 | $54,636 |
| 2nd year | $1,067.30 | $28.09 | $55,500 |
| 3rd year and thereafter | $1,084.40 | $28.54 | $56,389 |
| Experienced (Certificate III) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $58,193 |
Enrolled nurse rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $1,139.90 | $30.00 | $59,275 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,155.00 | $30.39 | $60,060 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,170.40 | $30.80 | $60,861 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,187.20 | $31.24 | $61,734 |
| Pay point 5 | $1,199.20 | $31.56 | $62,358 |
Registered nurse rates
Registered nurses are classified by level and pay point. Level 1 starts at pay point 1 and progresses to pay point 8 and thereafter.
Level 1
| Pay point | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $1,219.50 | $32.09 | $63,414 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,244.50 | $32.75 | $64,714 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,275.00 | $33.55 | $66,300 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $68,068 |
| Pay point 5 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $70,158 |
| Pay point 6 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 | $72,181 |
| Pay point 7 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 | $74,272 |
| Pay point 8 and thereafter | $1,465.50 | $38.57 | $76,206 |
Level 2
| Pay point | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 | $78,229 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 | $79,472 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 | $80,850 |
| Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $82,176 |
Level 3
| Pay point | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 | $84,822 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 | $86,377 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 | $87,870 |
| Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 | $89,445 |
Level 4
| Grade | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | $1,861.70 | $48.99 | $96,808 |
| Grade 2 | $1,995.10 | $52.50 | $103,745 |
| Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $109,803 |
Level 5
| Grade | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | $1,878.60 | $49.44 | $97,687 |
| Grade 2 | $1,978.40 | $52.06 | $102,877 |
| Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $109,803 |
| Grade 4 | $2,243.10 | $59.03 | $116,641 |
| Grade 5 | $2,474.10 | $65.11 | $128,653 |
| Grade 6 | $2,706.90 | $71.23 | $140,759 |
Nurse practitioner rates
| Year | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $1,877.00 | $49.39 | $97,604 |
| 2nd year | $1,932.70 | $50.86 | $100,500 |
Occupational health nurse rates
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Yearly (×52) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 1 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $68,068 |
| Level 1 pay point 2 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $70,158 |
How nurse salary compares with the national average
The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. This is the line used on this site. Many registered nurses at level 2 and above earn above this average. For example, a Registered Nurse level 2 pay point 1 earns $1,504.40 a week ($78,229 a year), which is below the average, but level 4 grade 2 earns $1,995.10 a week ($103,745 a year), close to the average. Level 5 grade 6 earns $2,706.90 a week ($140,759 a year), well above.
By state, the full‑time averages vary: New South Wales $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Western Australia $115,825, Tasmania $96,008, Northern Territory $103,173, Australian Capital Territory $119,090. A nurse salary in the ACT or WA may be closer to or above the national average depending on classification.
Minimum wage context
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. All nurse award rates exceed this minimum. The lowest nurse rate (student enrolled nurse under 21) is $25.69 an hour, which is below the national minimum wage? Actually the student enrolled nurse under 21 is $25.69, which is below $26.44. However, the award provides that employees under 21 may be paid less than the minimum wage. For adult nurses, all rates are above the minimum.
How to read these figures
Place a salary on the line to see how any nurse salary compares with the national full‑time average. You can also explore States and territories to see how nurse pay varies across Australia. The figures here are minimum award rates; actual salaries may be higher due to enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
Medians for comparison
The full‑time median employee median is about $90,532 a year for full‑time employees, and the all‑employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Many enrolled nurses and nursing assistants earn below the full‑time median, while registered nurses at level 2 and above often exceed it.
Tax on a nurse salary
For 2026‑27, resident tax rates: no tax‑free threshold $18,200; 15% on $18,201 to $45,000; 30% on $45,001 to $135,000; 37% on $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. Plus Medicare levy 2% levy. A nurse earning $80,000 a year (e.g., a Registered Nurse level 2 pay point 1) would pay about $12,000 in tax plus Medicare. The site does not calculate tax; it shows before‑tax salary.