Nurses Award Pay Rates 2026-27: Every Classification
Minimum rates under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 , with some classifications varying again from 1 August 2026.
The short answer
A nursing assistant in their 1st year is paid $27.65 an hour or $1,050.70 a week full-time. A casual at the same classification is paid $34.56 an hour, including the 25% casual loading. On that full-time wage, take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy is $46,633 a year, or $1,794 a fortnight.
MA000034 rates by classification.
All 67 classifications, with the casual rate for each and what each one actually takes home after tax.
Nursing assistantOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $1,050.70 | $27.65 | $34.56 | $46,633 |
| 2nd year | $1,067.30 | $28.09 | $35.11 | $47,220 |
| 3rd year and thereafter | $1,084.40 | $28.54 | $35.68 | $47,824 |
| Experienced (the holder of a relevant certificate III qualification) | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $49,051 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $54,636 to $58,193 a year, which is $46,633 to $49,051 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $61,193 to $65,176 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Since 1 January 2025, clause 4.4 excludes nursing assistants who care for aged persons in aged care or home care, so the nursing assistant rates above apply outside aged care, in settings such as private hospitals and clinics. What an aged care AIN is paid instead is on Assistant in Nursing Pay Rate.
Student enrolled nurseOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 21 years of age | $976.20 | $25.69 | $32.11* | $43,998 |
| 21 years of age and over | $1,024.70 | $26.97 | $33.71* | $45,713 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $50,762 to $53,284 a year, which is $43,998 to $45,713 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $56,854 to $59,679 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Enrolled nurseOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $1,139.90 | $30.00 | $37.50 | $49,787 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,155.00 | $30.39 | $37.99 | $50,321 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,170.40 | $30.80 | $38.50 | $50,865 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,187.20 | $31.24 | $39.05 | $51,459 |
| Pay point 5 | $1,199.20 | $31.56 | $39.45 | $51,884 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $59,275 to $62,358 a year, which is $49,787 to $51,884 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $66,388 to $69,841 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Registered nurse—Levels 1–5Other
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1Pay point 1 | $1,219.50 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $52,602 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,244.50 | $32.75 | $40.94 | $53,486 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,275.00 | $33.55 | $41.94 | $54,564 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $43.06 | $55,766 |
| Pay point 5 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $44.39 | $57,188 |
| Pay point 6 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 | $45.66 | $58,563 |
| Pay point 7 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 | $46.99 | $59,985 |
| Pay point 8 and thereafter | $1,465.50 | $38.57 | $48.21 | $61,300 |
| Registered nurse—level 2Pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 | $49.49 | $62,676 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 | $50.28 | $63,521 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 | $51.15 | $64,458 |
| Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 | $65,359 |
| Registered nurse—level 3Pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 | $53.66 | $67,159 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 | $54.64 | $68,216 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 | $55.59 | $69,231 |
| Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 | $56.59 | $70,303 |
| Registered nurse—level 4Grade 1 | $1,861.70 | $48.99 | $61.24 | $75,310 |
| Grade 2 | $1,995.10 | $52.50 | $65.63 | $80,027 |
| Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $84,146 |
| Registered nurse—level 5Grade 1 | $1,878.60 | $49.44 | $61.80 | $75,907 |
| Grade 2 | $1,978.40 | $52.06 | $65.08 | $79,436 |
| Grade 3 | $2,111.60 | $55.57 | $69.46 | $84,146 |
| Grade 4 | $2,243.10 | $59.03 | $73.79 | $88,796 |
| Grade 5 | $2,474.10 | $65.11 | $81.39 | $96,964 |
| Grade 6 | $2,706.90 | $71.23 | $89.04 | $104,793 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $63,414 to $140,759 a year, which is $52,602 to $104,793 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $71,024 to $157,650 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Minimum entry rateOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 year degree | $1,273.40 | $33.51 | $41.89 | $54,507 |
| Masters degree | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.33 | $56,056 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $66,217 to $68,494 a year, which is $54,507 to $56,056 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $74,163 to $76,714 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Nurse practitioner—other than aged care employeesOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $1,877.00 | $49.39 | $61.74 | $75,851 |
| 2nd year | $1,932.70 | $50.86 | $63.58 | $77,820 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $97,604 to $100,500 a year, which is $75,851 to $77,820 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $109,316 to $112,560 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Occupational health nursesOther
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational health nurse—level 1Pay point 1 | $1,309.00 | $34.45 | $43.06 | $55,766 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,349.20 | $35.51 | $44.39 | $57,188 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,388.10 | $36.53 | $45.66 | $58,563 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,428.30 | $37.59 | $46.99 | $59,985 |
| Pay point 5 | $1,465.50 | $38.57 | $48.21 | $61,300 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 2Pay point 1 | $1,504.40 | $39.59 | $49.49 | $62,676 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,528.30 | $40.22 | $50.28 | $63,521 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,554.80 | $40.92 | $51.15 | $64,458 |
| Pay point 4 | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 | $65,359 |
| Senior occupational health clinical nurse | $1,580.30 | $41.59 | $51.99 | $65,359 |
| Occupational health nurse—level 3Pay point 1 | $1,631.20 | $42.93 | $53.66 | $67,159 |
| Pay point 2 | $1,661.10 | $43.71 | $54.64 | $68,216 |
| Pay point 3 | $1,689.80 | $44.47 | $55.59 | $69,231 |
| Pay point 4 and thereafter | $1,720.10 | $45.27 | $56.59 | $70,303 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $68,068 to $89,445 a year, which is $55,766 to $70,303 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $76,236 to $100,179 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Student enrolled nurseAged care
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 21 years of age | $1,122.60 | $29.54 | $36.93 | $49,175 |
| 21 years of age and over | $1,178.30 | $31.01 | $38.76 | $51,145 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $58,375 to $61,272 a year, which is $49,175 to $51,145 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $65,380 to $68,624 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Enrolled nurseAged care
1 August 2026 · PR812118
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | $1,542.00 | $40.58 | $50.73 | $64,005 |
Registered nurses—aged care employeesAged care
1 August 2026 · PR812118
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1First year of employment classified at this level | $1,571.60 | $41.36 | $51.70 | $65,052 |
| In excess of 1 year and up to 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,654.30 | $43.53 | $54.41 | $67,976 |
| In excess of 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,801.10 | $47.40 | $59.25 | $73,167 |
| Registered nurse—level 2First 3 years of employment classified at this level | $1,947.70 | $51.26 | $64.08 | $78,351 |
| In excess of 3 years of employment classified at this level | $2,046.00 | $53.84 | $67.30 | $81,827 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | $2,094.20 | $55.11 | $68.89 | $83,531 |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | $2,390.30 | $62.90 | $78.63 | $94,001 |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | $2,711.30 | $71.35 | $89.19 | $104,932 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $81,723 to $140,988 a year, which is $65,052 to $104,932 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $91,530 to $157,906 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Nurse practitioner—aged care employeesAged care
1 July 2026 · PR799315
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $2,158.60 | $56.81 | $71.01 | $85,808 |
| 2nd year | $2,222.70 | $58.49 | $73.11 | $88,075 |
Across this table, full-time gross pay runs from $112,247 to $115,580 a year, which is $85,808 to $88,075 after income tax and the Medicare levy, or $125,717 to $129,450 once the 12% Superannuation Guarantee is paid on top. Select any take-home figure to open it in the Wage Calculator with that rate already entered.
Take-home is an estimate for a single Australian resident for tax purposes with no study loan debt and no Medicare levy surcharge, calculated with the same Wage Calculator used across this site. Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of these rates and is never deducted from them. A casual rate marked * is not published in the award and is the minimum hourly rate plus the 25% loading.
What $27.65 an hour leaves on a payslip.
A full-time week at the nursing assistant in their 1st year rate is $1,050.70 before tax. The ATO weekly withholding schedule for 2026-27 takes $154.00 from it when the tax-free threshold is claimed, so $896.70 reaches your account. Paid fortnightly, it is $1,793.40.
| 38 hours a week | Gross a week | Tax withheld | Take-home a week | Take-home a fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time$27.65 an hour | $1,050.70 | $154.00 | $896.70 | $1,793.40 |
| Casual, same hours$34.56 an hour | $1,313.28 | $239.00 | $1,074.28 | $2,148.56 |
Withholding is the payslip figure, not the year’s tax: the schedule rounds each pay to the dollar and leaves offsets to the tax return, which is why it differs a little from the take-home a year above. Super is paid on top. For a different number of hours, the Weekly Pay Calculator opens with $27.65 and 38 hours filled in, and the Overtime Calculator adds hours at time and a half and double time to the same rate, before any award-specific overtime rules.
Where these figures come from.
Provenance
Verified- Award
- Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034)
- Effective from
- 1 July 2026 and 1 August 2026
- Consolidated to
- 1 August 2026
- Determinations
- PR812118
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-06
- Cross-checked
- 65 of 67 rates against Schedule B
Every rate above was read from the award text at the Fair Work award library and then checked a second time against Schedule B of the same award, which republishes the hourly rates. Casual rates are the award’s own published figures except where marked *, which the award does not publish. Nothing here is copied from another pay site.
What this page does not cover.
Listed as plainly as what it does, because a rate page that hides its gaps is how the wrong number ends up on a payslip.
Penalty rates
Shift, weekend and public holiday loadings are set separately in the award.
Enterprise agreements
Most public hospital nurses are covered by a state agreement paying above the award.
Allowances
On-call, in-charge and qualification allowances are published separately.
Nurses Award Pay Rates questions, answered.
What is the enrolled nurse pay rate?
An enrolled nurse other than an aged care employee is paid from $1,139.90 a week at pay point 1, $30.00 an hour, up to $31.56 an hour at pay point 5. You move up one pay point for each year of full-time experience, or every 1786 hours if part-time or casual. What each pay point leaves after tax, alongside the separate aged care scale, is set out on Enrolled Nurse Pay Rate.
What is the registered nurse pay rate under the award?
A registered nurse level 1 starts at $1,219.50 a week, $32.09 an hour, and the level 1 scale runs across eight pay points. The award scale reaches $71.23 an hour at level 5 grade 6. Note that most public hospital nurses are covered by a state enterprise agreement paying above the award, not by the award itself. An allied health professional in private practice is on a different award again, set out on Health Services Award Pay Rates, and that award's health professional rates are replaced from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, as Health Professional Pay Rise 2026 explains.
Why are aged care nurse rates different?
The Nurses Award carries a separate, higher rate scale for aged care employees following the Fair Work Commission's aged care work value case. An aged care registered nurse level 1 starts at $1,571.60 a week against $1,219.50 on the general scale. Both scales are published above and labelled. Personal care workers in a residential aged care home are not on this award: they are covered by the Aged Care Award, set out on Aged Care Award Pay Rates. What a personal care worker is paid there, and in home care, is set out on Aged Care Worker Pay Rate.
Do all nurses rates change on 1 July?
Not this year. The non-aged-care rates on this page take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 under determination PR799315. The aged care enrolled nurse and registered nurse rates changed again from 1 August 2026 under PR812118. Each table above shows its own effective date.
Does the award rate apply if I work in a public hospital?
Usually not directly. Public sector nursing is generally covered by a state or territory enterprise agreement, which must pay at least the award but in practice pays above it. The award rate is the legal floor and a useful check, not a prediction of a public hospital payslip.
See what an award rate leaves you with.
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