Nursing assistant — 1st year pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Nursing assistant — 1st year under the Nurses Award (MA000034) from 1 July 2026: $1,050.70 a week full-time, $54,783 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $34.56 an hour, loading included.
Rate table in the pay database: Nursing assistant.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $27.65 | $1,050.70 | $54,783 |
| Casual (loading included) | $34.56 | — | — |
How this rate compares
It ranks 40th of 41 distinct adult hourly rates in the Nurses Award.
The next rate up is Nursing assistant — 2nd year at $28.09 an hour, $0.44 (1.6%) higher than this classification.
The next rate down is Student enrolled nurse — 21 years of age and over at $26.97 an hour, $0.68 (2.5%) lower.
It is $1.21 an hour (4.6%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44. That is within 5% of the legal floor for adult employees.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The hourly rate rose $1.25 (4.7%) from $26.40 on 30 June 2026 to $27.65, and the full-time weekly rate rose $47.60.
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hoursMinimum hourly rate | $27.65100% | $34.56125% |
| Saturday | $41.48150% | $51.84187.5% |
| Sunday | $48.39175% | $60.48218.75% |
| Public holiday | $55.30200% | $69.12250% |
| Monday to Friday - Afternoon shift | $31.11112.5% | $38.02137.5% |
| Monday to Friday - Night shift | $31.80115% | $38.71140% |
Resulting hourly rates as published in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. Casual figures include the casual loading. Percentages are of the minimum hourly rate.
A week with weekend shifts
| Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weekday hours | $34.56 | $138.24 |
| 8 Saturday hours | $51.84 | $414.72 |
| 8 Sunday hours | $60.48 | $483.84 |
| Total | $1,036.80 |
That week pays $1,036.80, which is $345.60 (50%) more than the same 20 hours worked on weekdays at the casual rate ($691.20). A full-time week of 38 ordinary hours pays $1,050.70.
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday - First 2 hours | $41.48 | 150% |
| Monday to Saturday - After 2 hours | $55.30 | 200% |
| Sunday | $55.30 | 200% |
| Public holiday | $69.13 | 250% |
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, MA000034, checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.