Registered nurse salary NSW hourly rate: what you actually take home after tax

Understanding the registered nurse salary NSW hourly rate

If you are a registered nurse working in New South Wales, your hourly rate is set by either the Nurses Award 2020 or a specific enterprise agreement with your employer. The award, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, provides minimum rates that increase with your level and pay point. For example, a Registered nurse—level 1 Pay point 1 earns a minimum of $32.09 per hour as of the latest consolidation (1 August 2026). This is the legal floor; many public hospital nurses in NSW are covered by the NSW Health award or agreement, which may offer higher pay.

To find your exact rate, check your classification in the award table. The award includes levels 1 through 5, each with multiple pay points. For instance, a Level 2 Pay point 1 earns $39.59 per hour, while a Level 5 Grade 6 earns $71.23 per hour. These rates are for a 38-hour week, with ordinary hours capped at 10 per day. You can view the full schedule on the page.

How tax and Medicare affect your take-home pay

Once you know your gross annual salary (hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks), the next step is to estimate what lands in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 income year, the Australian Tax Office applies these resident tax rates:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces tax by up to $700 if your taxable income is below $37,500, then phases out. The Medicare levy is a flat 2% of taxable income, but if you earn below $28,011 (single) you pay nothing; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10c per $1 over the lower threshold). Full-time registered nurses almost always exceed $35,013, so the full 2% applies.

Example calculation for a Level 1 RN

Take a registered nurse at Level 1 Pay point 1 earning $32.09 per hour. Annual gross: $32.09 × 38 × 52 = $63,409.84. Using the tax brackets:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: ($45,000 – $18,200) × 0.15 = $4,020
• Tax on $45,001 to $63,409.84: ($63,409.84 – $45,000) × 0.30 = $5,522.95
• Total tax before offsets: $9,542.95
• LITO: income $63,409.84 is above $66,667 phase-out, so no LITO.
• Medicare levy: 2% of $63,409.84 = $1,268.20
• Total deductions: $9,542.95 + $1,268.20 = $10,811.15
• Annual take-home: $63,409.84 – $10,811.15 = $52,598.69
• Fortnightly take-home: $52,598.69 ÷ 26 = $2,023.03

This is a simplified estimate. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary packaging, and payroll tax-table rounding. For a more precise figure, use the Take-home pay calculator on this site.

What about superannuation?

Your employer must pay superannuation on top of your base salary. From 1 July 2026, the Super Guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to your employer. When comparing job offers, check whether the advertised rate is inclusive or exclusive of super. Most award rates are exclusive. Learn more about how super works in our Super guide.

Enterprise agreements and NSW Health

Many registered nurses in NSW are employed by the NSW Ministry of Health under enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. The page lists current rates for classifications not covered by the Health Services Union, as well as interim increases for nursing staff. These rates can be significantly above the award minimum, especially for experienced nurses in specialised roles. Always check your specific employment contract or enterprise agreement for your exact hourly rate.

Using the award rates for budgeting

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Guide for the Nurses Award (published December 2023) provides a summary of rates, but the official award text is the authoritative source. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and shift work, which can boost your take-home pay. For example, public holiday rates are double the base rate. Use the Tax and Medicare page to understand how additional earnings affect your tax bracket.