Average line

HomeGuidesJob pay

Veterinary Nurse Salary: Award Rates, Weekly Pay, and Comparison to National Averages

Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award, a veterinary nurse earns between $50,861 and $66,721 per year (full-time, 38 hours/week), depending on classification level.

This sits $40,752 under the Australian full-time average, about 37.6% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,300 a week · $34.21 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $55,448 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Veterinary Nurse Salary: What You Can Expect to Earn

If you are looking at a career as a veterinary nurse in Australia, or you employ one, the first place to check for minimum pay is the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118). This award, set by Fair Work, covers veterinary nurses, receptionists, animal attendants, and practice managers. The rates in this article are the minimums that apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Pay as a Year, a Week, and an Hour

Under the award, a full-time veterinary nurse works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. The minimum weekly and hourly rates vary by classification level. Here is how they translate into annual salaries (multiplying the weekly rate by 52):

  • Introductory level: $978.10 per week, $25.74 per hour, about $50,861 per year
  • Level 1: $1,004.90 per week, $26.44 per hour, about $52,255 per year
  • Level 2: $1,073.10 per week, $28.24 per hour, about $55,801 per year
  • Level 3: $1,119.10 per week, $29.45 per hour, about $58,193 per year
  • Level 4: $1,221.10 per week, $32.13 per hour, about $63,497 per year
  • Level 5 – Practice manager: $1,283.10 per week, $33.77 per hour, about $66,721 per year

These are the minimum rates. Many veterinary nurses may be paid above the award, especially if they have experience or work in a high-demand area. But no official average salary for veterinary nurses is published by the ABS or Fair Work.

How This Compares to the National Average

The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Even the highest veterinary nurse classification (Level 5 practice manager) is about $41,631 below that average. The introductory level is less than half the national average.

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. A Level 1 veterinary nurse earns exactly that minimum wage. So veterinary nursing is a low-paid occupation relative to the all-industries average.

For context, the full-time median earnings across all occupations is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. Veterinary nurse award rates sit well below both medians.

State and Territory Differences

The award rates are national, so the minimums are the same everywhere. However, actual pay may vary by location. The ABS publishes full-time average weekly earnings by state. For example, the full-time average in New South Wales is about $109,658 per year, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. A veterinary nurse in a high-cost state like NSW might negotiate above the award, but the award floor remains the same.

You can compare your salary to state averages on this site.

How the Figures Are Set

The award rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission. The 2026 increase was 4.75%, flowing from the national minimum wage decision. The rates in this article are from the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award as published by Fair Work. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is released twice a year (May and November) and measures the level of average earnings across all industries.

If you want to see where your own pay sits against the national line, you can place a salary on the line.

Other Things to Know

  • Junior rates: Employees under 17 years old are paid a percentage of the adult rate. For example, an introductory-level veterinary nurse under 17 earns $30.88 per hour for ordinary time (about 80% of the adult rate).
  • Penalty rates: The award provides higher pay for work on weekends, public holidays, and overtime. For instance, a Level 1 veterinary nurse on a Saturday gets $39.66 per hour, and on a Sunday $52.88 per hour.
  • Tax: The 2026–27 resident tax rates apply. The first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy (reductions may apply for low incomes).

Summary

A veterinary nurse salary under the award ranges from about $50,861 to $66,721 per year for full-time work. This is significantly below the national full-time average of $108,352. The award provides a clear minimum, but actual earnings may be higher depending on experience, location, and employer. For the most up-to-date rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use their Pay and Conditions Tool.

For more on how salaries compare across occupations, see job medians.

Questions

What is the average veterinary nurse salary in Australia?

There is no single published average for veterinary nurses. The minimum rates are set by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award. For a full-time veterinary nurse at introductory level, the weekly rate is $978.10 ($25.74/hour), which works out to about $50,861 per year. At Level 4, the weekly rate is $1,221.10 ($32.13/hour), about $63,497 per year. Practice managers (Level 5) earn $1,283.10 per week ($33.77/hour), about $66,721 per year. Actual salaries may be higher than the award minimums, but no official average is available from the ABS or Fair Work.

How does a veterinary nurse salary compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Even the highest veterinary nurse classification under the award (Level 5 practice manager at $66,721) is well below that average. The award minimums are closer to the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 per year). Veterinary nursing is a lower-paid occupation relative to the all-industries average.

What are the different classification levels for veterinary nurses under the award?

The Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award (MA000118) defines several levels for veterinary nurses: Introductory level (no experience or qualification), Level 1 (entry-level qualified), Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 (advanced skills). There is also a separate Level 5 for practice managers. Each level has a higher minimum weekly and hourly rate. For example, a Level 2 veterinary nurse earns $1,073.10 per week ($28.24/hour), while a Level 4 earns $1,221.10 per week ($32.13/hour). These rates apply from 1 July 2026.

Related guides