Registered nurse — level 1 — more than 1 year and up to 4 years at this level (aged care) pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Registered nurse — level 1 — more than 1 year and up to 4 years at this level (aged care) under the Nurses Award (MA000034) from 1 August 2026: $1,654.30 a week full-time, $86,255 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $54.41 an hour, loading included.
Rate table in the pay database: Registered nurses—aged care employees.
Varied from 1 August 2026 by PR812118; the rate from 1 July 2026 was $41.90 an hour.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $43.53 | $1,654.30 | $86,255 |
| Casual (loading included) | $54.41 | — | — |
How this rate compares
It ranks 15th of 41 distinct adult hourly rates in the Nurses Award.
The next rate up is Registered nurse — level 3 — pay point 2 at $43.71 an hour, $0.18 (0.4%) higher than this classification.
The next rate down is Registered nurse — level 3 — pay point 1 at $42.93 an hour, $0.60 (1.4%) lower.
It is $17.09 an hour (64.6%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44. That is more than a quarter above the legal floor for adult employees.
What changed since 30 June 2026
The hourly rate rose $3.53 (8.8%) from $40.00 on 30 June 2026 to $43.53, and the full-time weekly rate rose $134.40.
| From | Hourly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2026 | $40.00 | $1,519.90 |
| 1 July 2026 | $41.90 | $1,592.10 |
| 1 August 2026 | $43.53 | $1,654.30 |
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hoursMinimum hourly rate | $43.53100% | $54.41125% |
| Saturday | $65.30150% | $81.62187.5% |
| Sunday | $76.18175% | $95.22218.75% |
| Public holiday | $87.06200% | $108.82250% |
| Monday to Friday - Afternoon shift | $48.97112.5% | $59.85137.5% |
| Monday to Friday - Night shift | $50.06115% | $60.94140% |
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 | $54.41 | $217.64 |
| 8 Saturday hours | $81.62 | $652.96 |
| 8 Sunday hours | $95.22 | $761.76 |
| Total | $1,632.36 |
That week pays $1,632.36, which is $544.16 (50%) more than the same 20 hours worked on weekdays at the casual rate ($1,088.20). A full-time week of 38 ordinary hours pays $1,654.30.
Overtime rates
| Overtime | Full-time / part-time | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday - First 2 hours | $65.30 | 150% |
| Monday to Saturday - After 2 hours | $87.06 | 200% |
| Sunday | $87.06 | 200% |
| Public holiday | $108.83 | 250% |
Rates current as of 1 August 2026. FWC pay database, MA000034, checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.