Nurse Salary Perth: Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

What is a nurse salary in Perth?

When people search for a nurse salary Perth, they usually want to know what a nurse can expect to earn in Western Australia’s capital. The answer isn’t a single number because pay depends on classification, experience, employer, and whether you work in the public or private sector. However, the starting point is the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for all nurses covered by the award, including those in Perth. This article compares those award rates to the national minimum wage and explains how Perth’s higher average earnings can push actual pay above the floor.

The Nurses Award 2020: Minimum Rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Nurses Award 2020 (MA000034). It covers employers in the health industry and employees in nursing roles. The award divides nurses into enrolled nurses and registered nurses, each with multiple pay points. From 1 August 2026, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1 is $1,219.50, or $32.09 per hour. That’s well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Even the lowest enrolled nurse rate (under 21 years) is $25.69 per hour, close to the national minimum.

Here are a few examples from the award (full-time weekly rates):

• Enrolled nurse (21 years and over): $1,024.70 per week ($26.97/hr)
• Registered nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($32.09/hr)
• Registered nurse Level 2 Pay Point 1: $1,504.40 per week ($39.59/hr)
• Registered nurse Level 5 Grade 6: $2,706.90 per week ($71.23/hr)

These are legal minimums. An employer cannot pay less. But many nurses in Perth earn more, especially in hospitals with enterprise agreements or in high-demand specialties.

How Perth Compares: The State Index

The Salary Index measures gross full-time adult ordinary-time earnings against a national line of 100 (set at $108,352 per year from May 2026 ABS data). Western Australia’s state index is 106.9, meaning average earnings in WA are 6.9% above the national average. That’s the second-highest state index after the ACT (109.9). For a nurse in Perth, this suggests that typical pay—not just award minimums—is likely higher than the national average for the occupation. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8 nationally, but WA’s overall labour market strength can lift wages across sectors.

If a registered nurse in Perth earns, say, $85,000 per year, their salary index would be about 78.5. That’s above the award minimum but still below the national line. Many experienced nurses or those in senior roles would exceed 100. The award is just the floor.

Salary Index Calculation Example

Let’s take the award minimum for a Registered Nurse Level 1 Pay Point 1. Annualised: $1,219.50 × 52 = $63,414. Divide by the national line of $108,352 and multiply by 100: index ≈ 58.5. That’s low compared to the national average, but remember: this is the minimum. A nurse with a few years’ experience or working in a Perth private hospital might earn $90,000 (index 83) or more. The industries page shows health care overall at 97.8, so many health workers do approach the national average.

Superannuation and Tax Considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of base salary. For a nurse earning $80,000, that’s an extra $9,600 into super. Tax for 2026–27 (resident, excluding Medicare) is: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So take-home pay will be less than gross. But the salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not take-home.

Award vs National Minimum Wage: The Bigger Picture

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Every nurse award rate is higher than that, except perhaps some junior enrolled nurse rates. The award ensures nurses are paid above the bare minimum. But the award is not the whole story. In Perth, where the cost of living is relatively high and the mining industry pushes up wages across the economy, nurses often negotiate above-award pay. The states page shows WA’s index of 106.9, confirming that workers in general earn more there.

Where to Find Current Pay Rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for the Nurses Award. These guides list all minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database also has downloadable spreadsheets with up-to-date classification rates. For actual market salaries, job advertisements and industry surveys are better sources, but the award is the legal baseline.

Conclusion

A nurse salary in Perth starts at the award minimum but can be significantly higher. The award rates for registered nurses range from about $32 to over $71 per hour, all above the national minimum wage. Western Australia’s strong economy and high state index mean that many nurses in Perth earn above the national average for their profession. To get a precise figure for your situation, check the award classification that applies to you and consider any enterprise agreement or market conditions. The Salary Index can help you compare any salary to the national line.