Nurses Award 2020 — free pay & entitlements calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Nurses Award 2020?

  Under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034), pay rates effective 1 July 2025 range from AUD $26.40/hour for a first-year Nursing Assistant to AUD $68.01/hour for a Registered Nurse Level 5 Grade 6. A Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 earns AUD $30.64/hour. All rates were updated by the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review. Use the Pay tab above to calculate your specific classification rate.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Nurses Award 2020?

  Redundancy pay under the Nurses Award 2020 follows the NES genuine redundancy scale in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Sch 4, s.119). The entitlement ranges from 4 weeks' pay after 1 year of service to a maximum of 16 weeks after 9 years (capped at 12 weeks for 10+ years). Small business employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from redundancy pay obligations under s.121(2).

• How many days annual leave do nurses get under the Nurses Award 2020?

  Under the Nurses Award 2020 (cl. 32), most nurses receive 5 weeks (25 days) of paid annual leave per year — one week more than the NES minimum of 4 weeks. Shiftworkers receive 6 weeks (30 days) per year. Annual leave loading of 17.5% is paid on a maximum of 4 weeks (152 hours) per year. Casual employees are not entitled to paid annual leave.

• What is the notice period under the Nurses Award 2020?

  The Nurses Award 2020 does not specify notice periods exceeding the NES minimum. Under Fair Work Act 2009, s.117, the minimum notice scales from 1 week (under 1 year of service) to 4 weeks (5+ years of service). Employees over 45 years old with 2 or more years of continuous service receive an additional 1 week. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay under the Nurses Award 2020?

  Under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings to a complying super fund from 1 July 2025. The Nurses Award 2020 nominates HESTA, Aware Super, and CareSuper as default funds. You have the right to choose your own complying super fund under Fair Work Act 2009, s.149A.

• Does the Nurses Award 2020 provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees under the Nurses Award 2020 receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate. This loading compensates for the absence of paid annual leave, sick leave, and other entitlements available to permanent employees. The 25% casual loading rate is mandated under the NES (s.67B, effective 26 August 2022).

• What long service leave am I entitled to as a nurse in Australia?

  Long service leave entitlements for nurses depend on your state or territory, not the Nurses Award 2020. Qualifying periods range from 7 years in Victoria and the ACT (6.067 weeks entitlement) to 10 years in most other states. NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia provide 8.667 weeks; South Australia and the Northern Territory provide 13 weeks after 10 years. Use the Long Service Leave tab above to calculate your entitlement.

• What is the minimum wage for nurses under the Nurses Award 2020?

  The minimum wage under the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034) from 1 July 2025 is AUD $26.40/hour for a first-year Nursing Assistant — above the National Minimum Wage of AUD $24.10/hour. Registered Nurses start at AUD $30.64/hour at Level 1 Pay Point 1. All award rates are set above the National Minimum Wage to reflect nursing qualifications and responsibilities.

• What penalty rates apply on weekends under the Nurses Award 2020?

  Under the Nurses Award 2020, Saturday work attracts a penalty rate of 150% of the ordinary rate, and Sunday work attracts 175%. Work on public holidays is paid at 250% (permanent employees) or 275% (casual employees). Overtime is 150% for the first 2 hours on weekdays and Saturdays, and 200% thereafter. Shiftwork loadings are 12.5% for afternoon shifts and 15% for night shifts Monday to Friday.