Vet Nurse Salary in Australia
Veterinary nursing is a skilled profession that plays a vital role in animal care. If you are looking at a vet nurse salary, the most reliable published figures come from the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates for veterinary nurses, receptionists, and practice managers. This article compares those award rates to the national full-time average, gives a take-home pay sketch, and explains where vet nurse pay sits in the broader Australian earnings landscape.
Award Minimum Rates for Veterinary Nurses
Under the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated award (effective from 1 July 2026), full-time veterinary nurses are classified into five levels. The minimum weekly and hourly rates are:
- Introductory level: $978.10 per week ($25.74 per hour)
- Level 1: $1,004.90 per week ($26.44 per hour)
- Level 2: $1,073.10 per week ($28.24 per hour)
- Level 3: $1,119.10 per week ($29.45 per hour)
- Level 4: $1,221.10 per week ($32.13 per hour)
- Level 5 (Practice manager): $1,283.10 per week ($33.77 per hour)
These rates apply to full-time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time and casual employees receive proportional rates plus loadings. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime.
It is important to note that these are minimums. Many veterinary clinics pay above the award to attract and retain qualified staff, especially experienced vet nurses or those with specialist skills. However, the ABS does not publish a specific average or median for veterinary nurses, so the award rates are the only official benchmark.
How Vet Nurse Pay Compares to the National Average
The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That equates to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). Even the highest award rate for a Level 4 vet nurse ($1,221.10 per week, or $63,497 a year) is well below this average. The gap is even wider for introductory-level vet nurses, who earn less than half the national average.
The full-time median earnings (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) are about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. A Level 2 vet nurse earning $55,801 a year sits below both medians. This reflects that veterinary nursing is a female-dominated profession with relatively lower pay compared to other skilled trades and health roles.
Take-Home Pay Sketch for a Vet Nurse
Using the 2026–27 Australian tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, here is an estimate of take-home pay for a full-time vet nurse at different award levels. These figures assume no other deductions or tax offsets.
- Level 2 ($55,801 a year): Tax on first $18,200 is nil; $18,201–$45,000 taxed at 15% ($4,020); $45,001–$55,801 taxed at 30% ($3,240). Total tax $7,260. Medicare levy 2% of $55,801 = $1,116. Take-home: $55,801 – $7,260 – $1,116 = $47,425.
- Level 4 ($63,497 a year): Tax: nil on $18,200; 15% on $26,800 ($4,020); 30% on $18,497 ($5,549). Total tax $9,569. Medicare levy $1,270. Take-home: $52,658.
- Practice manager Level 5 ($66,721 a year): Tax: $4,020 + 30% on $21,721 ($6,516) = $10,536. Medicare $1,334. Take-home: $54,851.
These estimates show that a vet nurse’s take-home pay is modest compared to the national average take-home of about $85,000 (after tax on $108,352). The gap is significant, especially for those starting out.
State Comparisons
Vet nurse salaries are set by the national award, so minimum rates are the same across Australia. However, actual pay may vary by state due to local labour markets and cost of living. The state full-time averages (ABS, May 2026) provide context:
- 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 vet nurse on the award minimum in any state will earn far less than the state average. For example, a Level 2 vet nurse in NSW earns about $55,800, while the state average is $109,658 – nearly double. This highlights the challenge of living on a vet nurse wage in high-cost areas like Sydney or Canberra. See how your state compares.
Beyond the Award: Career Progression and Other Factors
Vet nurses can increase their earnings through experience, specialisation (e.g., emergency nursing, dentistry), or moving into practice management. The Level 5 practice manager rate ($33.77 per hour) is the highest award classification, but many practice managers earn more through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
Some vet nurses work overtime or weekends to boost income. The award provides penalty rates: time-and-a-half for the first three hours of Saturday work, double time after that, and double time on Sundays and public holidays. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the base rate.
Where to Find More Information
For the latest award rates and conditions, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The ABS publishes average weekly earnings twice a year (May and November). If you want to see how your salary compares to the national line, place your salary on the line. For guides on understanding pay and conditions, check our Guides.
Summary
A vet nurse salary in Australia is governed by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award, with minimum weekly rates from $978 to $1,221. These are significantly below the national full-time average of $2,084 per week. After tax, a typical vet nurse takes home between $47,000 and $55,000 a year, depending on level. While the work is rewarding, the pay lags behind many other occupations. For more context on how different jobs compare, see our industry medians and occupation medians.