Registered nurse — level 5 — grade 5 pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Registered nurse — level 5 — grade 5 under the Nurses Award (MA000034) from 1 July 2026: $2,474.10 a week full-time, $129,000 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $81.39 an hour, loading included.
Rate table in the pay database: Registered nurse—Levels 1–5—other than aged care employees.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $65.11 | $2,474.10 | $129,000 |
| Casual (loading included) | $81.39 | — | — |
How this rate compares
It ranks 2nd of 41 distinct adult hourly rates in the Nurses Award.
The next rate up is Registered nurse — level 5 — grade 6 at $71.23 an hour, $6.12 (9.4%) higher than this classification. That is the largest step between two adjacent rates in the award.
The next rate down is Registered nurse — level 5 — grade 4 at $59.03 an hour, $6.08 (9.3%) lower.
It is $38.67 an hour (146.3%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44. That is more than a quarter above the legal floor for adult employees.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The hourly rate rose $2.95 (4.7%) from $62.16 on 30 June 2026 to $65.11, and the full-time weekly rate rose $112.20.
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hoursMinimum hourly rate | $65.11100% | $81.39125% |
| Saturday | $97.67150% | $122.09187.5% |
| Sunday | $113.94175% | $142.43218.75% |
| Public holiday | $130.22200% | $162.78250% |
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 | $81.39 | $325.56 |
| 8 Saturday hours | $122.09 | $976.72 |
| 8 Sunday hours | $142.43 | $1,139.44 |
| Total | $2,441.72 |
That week pays $2,441.72, which is $813.92 (50%) more than the same 20 hours worked on weekdays at the casual rate ($1,627.80). A full-time week of 38 ordinary hours pays $2,474.10.
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.