Nurses Award pay rates 2026 (Australia)

Employers in the health industry throughout Australia and their nurses, midwives and nursing assistants, and any employer of a nurse or midwife principally engaged in nursing duties (clause 4.1).

Nurses employed in primary or secondary schools, and nursing assistants providing care to aged persons in aged care or home care (they fall under other awards) (clauses 4.3 and 4.4).

From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, after the Annual Wage Review (clause 15.1).

Aged care nurses have their own, higher minimum rates following the Fair Work Commission’s aged care work value decisions, with a new structure since 1 March 2025 (clause 15.3 and Schedule F).

In the consolidated award published by the Fair Work Commission (MA000034); the Fair Work Ombudsman also publishes pay guides.

No. Award rates are minimums. Many nurses are paid under enterprise agreements, which can pay more, never less.

Full-time employees move by annual movement; part-time and casual employees after 1,786 hours of experience, having regard to skills and knowledge gained (clause 15.2).

$1273.40 per week with a 4-year degree and $1317.20 with a Masters degree (clause 15.1(c)(ii)).

Also known as a Clinical nurse: appointed to perform the duties of level 2 on a continuing basis (Schedule A.5.2).

Also known as a Clinical nurse consultant, Nurse manager or Nurse educator (Schedule A.5.3).

Level 4 covers Assistant directors of nursing and level 5 Directors of nursing; the grade depends on the complexity of the role, including the number of beds (Schedule A.5.4 and A.5.5).

Yes, if you relieve someone in a higher classification for 3 days or more (not for Registered nurse levels 4 and 5) (clause 15.4).

Yes, except when you are paid the on-call allowance and are contacted about the on-call, or for an emergency roster change or recall (clause 13A and section 333M of the Fair Work Act).

$1050.70 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $27.65 per hour; $34.56 per hour as a casual; $41.48 on Saturday, $48.39 on Sunday and $55.30 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1067.30 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $28.09 per hour; $35.11 per hour as a casual; $42.14 on Saturday, $49.16 on Sunday and $56.18 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1084.40 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $28.54 per hour; $35.68 per hour as a casual; $42.81 on Saturday, $49.95 on Sunday and $57.08 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1119.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $29.45 per hour; $36.81 per hour as a casual; $44.18 on Saturday, $51.54 on Sunday and $58.90 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$976.20 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $25.69 per hour; $32.11 per hour as a casual; $38.54 on Saturday, $44.96 on Sunday and $51.38 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1024.70 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $26.97 per hour; $33.71 per hour as a casual; $40.46 on Saturday, $47.20 on Sunday and $53.94 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1139.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $30.00 per hour; $37.50 per hour as a casual; $45.00 on Saturday, $52.50 on Sunday and $60.00 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1155.00 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $30.39 per hour; $37.99 per hour as a casual; $45.59 on Saturday, $53.18 on Sunday and $60.78 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1170.40 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $30.80 per hour; $38.50 per hour as a casual; $46.20 on Saturday, $53.90 on Sunday and $61.60 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1187.20 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $31.24 per hour; $39.05 per hour as a casual; $46.86 on Saturday, $54.67 on Sunday and $62.48 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1199.20 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $31.56 per hour; $39.45 per hour as a casual; $47.34 on Saturday, $55.23 on Sunday and $63.12 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1219.50 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $32.09 per hour; $40.11 per hour as a casual; $48.14 on Saturday, $56.16 on Sunday and $64.18 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1244.50 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $32.75 per hour; $40.94 per hour as a casual; $49.13 on Saturday, $57.31 on Sunday and $65.50 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1275.00 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $33.55 per hour; $41.94 per hour as a casual; $50.33 on Saturday, $58.71 on Sunday and $67.10 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1309.00 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $34.45 per hour; $43.06 per hour as a casual; $51.68 on Saturday, $60.29 on Sunday and $68.90 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1349.20 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $35.51 per hour; $44.39 per hour as a casual; $53.27 on Saturday, $62.14 on Sunday and $71.02 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1388.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $36.53 per hour; $45.66 per hour as a casual; $54.80 on Saturday, $63.93 on Sunday and $73.06 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1428.30 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $37.59 per hour; $46.99 per hour as a casual; $56.39 on Saturday, $65.78 on Sunday and $75.18 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1465.50 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $38.57 per hour; $48.21 per hour as a casual; $57.86 on Saturday, $67.50 on Sunday and $77.14 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1504.40 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $39.59 per hour; $49.49 per hour as a casual; $59.39 on Saturday, $69.28 on Sunday and $79.18 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1528.30 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $40.22 per hour; $50.28 per hour as a casual; $60.33 on Saturday, $70.39 on Sunday and $80.44 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1554.80 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $40.92 per hour; $51.15 per hour as a casual; $61.38 on Saturday, $71.61 on Sunday and $81.84 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1580.30 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $41.59 per hour; $51.99 per hour as a casual; $62.39 on Saturday, $72.78 on Sunday and $83.18 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1631.20 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $42.93 per hour; $53.66 per hour as a casual; $64.40 on Saturday, $75.13 on Sunday and $85.86 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1661.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $43.71 per hour; $54.64 per hour as a casual; $65.57 on Saturday, $76.49 on Sunday and $87.42 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1689.80 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $44.47 per hour; $55.59 per hour as a casual; $66.71 on Saturday, $77.82 on Sunday and $88.94 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1720.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $45.27 per hour; $56.59 per hour as a casual; $67.91 on Saturday, $79.22 on Sunday and $90.54 on public holidays (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1861.70 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $48.99 per hour; $61.24 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1995.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $52.50 per hour; $65.63 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$2111.60 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $55.57 per hour; $69.46 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1878.60 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $49.44 per hour; $61.80 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1978.40 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $52.06 per hour; $65.08 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$2111.60 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $55.57 per hour; $69.46 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$2243.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $59.03 per hour; $73.79 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$2474.10 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $65.11 per hour; $81.39 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$2706.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $71.23 per hour; $89.04 per hour as a casual (clause 15.1 and Schedule B).

$1877.00 per week or $49.39 per hour (clause 15.1(d)).

$1932.70 per week or $50.86 per hour (clause 15.1(d)).

From $1309.00 per week (level 1, pay point 1) to $1720.10 (level 3, pay point 4 and thereafter) (clause 15.1(e)).

$1580.30 per week (clause 15.1(e)).

$1122.60 per week or $29.54 per hour; $36.93 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1178.30 per week or $31.01 per hour; $38.76 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1542.00 per week or $40.58 per hour; $50.73 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1571.60 per week or $41.36 per hour; $51.70 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1654.30 per week or $43.53 per hour; $54.41 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1801.10 per week or $47.40 per hour; $59.25 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$1947.70 per week or $51.26 per hour; $64.08 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2046.00 per week or $53.84 per hour; $67.30 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2094.20 per week or $55.11 per hour; $68.89 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2390.30 per week or $62.90 per hour; $78.63 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2711.30 per week or $71.35 per hour; $89.19 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2158.60 per week or $56.81 per hour; $71.01 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

$2222.70 per week or $58.49 per hour; $73.11 per hour as a casual (clause 15.3).

25 % of the minimum hourly rate, paid for each ordinary hour (clause 11.1).

2 hours’ pay for each engagement (clause 11.3).

The shift loading is calculated on the minimum hourly rate (without the casual loading) and the casual loading is added on top: 137.5 % for afternoon and 140 % for night shifts (clause 11.4 and Schedule B).

150 % of the casual hourly rate on Saturday, 175 % on Sunday and 200 % on public holidays (clauses 21 and 28.2).

In writing, before starting: the guaranteed minimum hours and the rostering arrangements for those hours (clause 10.2).

For time worked beyond the rostered daily ordinary full-time hours (clause 19.1(d)).

Yes. The National Employment Standards provide a pathway to change to full-time or part-time employment (sections 66A to 66MA of the Fair Work Act, referred to in clause 11.5).

12.5 % of the minimum hourly rate for a rostered afternoon shift Monday to Friday (starting at or after noon and finishing after 6 pm) (clauses 20.1 and 20.2).

15 % for a rostered night shift Monday to Friday (starting at or after 6 pm and finishing before 7.30 am) (clause 20.2).

150 % of the minimum hourly rate for ordinary hours between midnight Friday and midnight Saturday (clause 21.1).

175 % of the minimum hourly rate (clause 21.2).

200 % of the minimum hourly rate (200 % of the casual rate for casuals) (clause 28.2).

By written agreement at the time, you can take an additional day of leave instead of the 200 % rate (clause 28.6).

Full-time employees get a day’s ordinary pay, except for Monday to Friday workers when the holiday falls on a weekend (clause 28.4).

No (clause 20.2(e)).

Between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday (clause 13.1(a)).

38 hours a week, 76 per fortnight or 152 over 28 days, with shifts of up to 10 ordinary hours (clauses 13.1(c) and 13.1(d)).

At least 2 full days each week, 4 each fortnight or 8 each 28 days, consecutive where practicable; on-call time counts as duty (clause 13.1(f)).

The roster must be displayed at least 7 days before it starts, and 7 days’ notice is required to change it, except for unplanned absences (clause 13.2).

10 hours (or 8 by agreement); otherwise 200 % is paid until you get it (clause 13.4).

If you work more than 5 hours, an unpaid meal break of 30 to 60 minutes, between the 4th and 6th hour where practicable (clause 14.1).

If you are free from duty but must remain available, the 30-minute break is paid at ordinary rates; if you are on duty, overtime applies until the break is taken (clause 14.1).

A paid 10-minute tea break in each 4 hours worked; two can be combined into one 20-minute break by agreement (clause 14.2).

Yes, with the employer’s consent, up to 5 a year, and they are paid out on termination (clause 13.3).

150 % for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday and 200 % after, 200 % on Sunday and 250 % on public holidays; casuals get the same percentages of the casual rate. Not applicable to Registered nurse levels 4 and 5 (clauses 19.1 and 19.2).

No. Overtime rates replace the shift loadings and weekend penalties (clause 19.1(c)).

Yes, by agreement; the time off equals the overtime payment and must be taken within 6 months or paid out (clause 19.3).

A paid 20-minute rest break after each 4 hours of overtime if you continue working (clause 19.5).

$28.66 per 24-hour period Monday to Friday, $43.17 on Saturday and $50.37 on Sunday, public holidays or non-rostered days (clause 17.2(a)).

At overtime rates for at least 3 hours if recalled to the workplace, or at least 1 hour for work by phone or electronically; travel time counts and transport is provided or refunded (clauses 19.6 and 19.7).

If uniforms are not supplied, $1.26 per shift or $6.41 a week (whichever is less); if not laundered by the employer, $0.33 per shift or $1.53 a week (clause 17.3(a)).

$17.30 for more than one hour of overtime, plus $15.60 if it exceeds 4 hours, unless a meal is supplied or you can reasonably go home (clause 17.3(b)).

At least $1.01 per kilometre when required to use your own vehicle (clause 17.3(c)).

No. The allowances in clause 17 do not apply to Registered nurse levels 4 and 5 (clause 17.1).

5 weeks a year, or 6 weeks for shiftworkers regularly rostered over 7 days and working weekends (clause 22.2).

17.5 % on up to 152 hours (4 weeks); shiftworkers get the higher of 17.5 % or the shift and weekend penalties they would have earned (clause 22.5).

Full-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave a year and part-time employees a pro rata amount (section 96 of the Fair Work Act).

From 1 week (up to 1 year of service) to 4 weeks (more than 5 years), plus 1 week if the employee is over 45 with at least 2 years of service (clause 32 and section 117 of the Fair Work Act).