Paediatric nurse salary: award rates and how they compare to the national minimum wage

What is a paediatric nurse salary?

A paediatric nurse salary refers to the pay earned by registered nurses who specialise in caring for children, from neonates to adolescents. In Australia, these nurses are covered by the Nurses Award 2020, which sets minimum wages for different levels of responsibility. Because the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for the 6-digit ANZSCO occupations of paediatric nursing, the best public benchmark is the award itself. This guide explains how paediatric nurse salary compares to the national minimum wage and where it sits on the Salary Index.

Award rates versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for full-time work. That gives an index of 48.2 when compared to the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $2,083.70 per week (index 100). Every classification in the Nurses Award 2020 pays above the national minimum. For example, a Level 1 registered nurse at Pay Point 1 earns $32.09 per hour, which is 21% higher than the minimum. That weekly rate of $1,219.50 gives an index of about 58.5.

As you move up the award structure, the gap widens. A Level 2 Pay Point 1 nurse earns $39.39 per hour ($1,504.40 per week, index 72.2). A Level 3 Pay Point 1 nurse earns $42.93 per hour ($1,631.20 per week, index 78.3). At the top of the award, a Level 5 Grade 6 nurse earns $71.23 per hour ($2,706.90 per week, index 129.9). That is 169% above the national minimum.

Where does paediatric nursing sit on the index?

Because the ABS does not release median earnings for paediatric nurses, the award rates are the most reliable public reference. The index for a paediatric nurse at a typical Level 1 classification is around 58–70, depending on pay point. That is below the health care and social assistance industry average index of 97.8, but remember that many nurses progress to higher levels. A Level 3 nurse (index 78–83) is closer to the industry average, and a Level 4 or 5 nurse (index 89–130) can exceed it.

For context, the pay guides for other health occupations show similar patterns: award minima are a floor, and actual earnings often rise through experience, shift penalties, and enterprise agreements.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, paid on top of the salary. For a Level 1 Pay Point 1 nurse earning $1,219.50 per week, the employer contributes an extra $146.34 per week to super. That adds to total remuneration but is not counted in the index (which uses gross ordinary-time earnings before super).

Income tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is a flat 2%. A paediatric nurse earning $63,414 per year (Level 1 Pay Point 1 annualised) would pay about $9,462 in tax plus $1,268 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $52,684. That is roughly $1,013 per week.

How the award structure works for paediatric nurses

The Nurses Award 2020 classifies registered nurses into five levels. Level 1 is for nurses who are not in charge of a ward or unit, with eight pay points reflecting experience. Level 2 nurses have additional responsibilities such as coordinating a team. Level 3 includes clinical nurse specialists and managers of small units. Level 4 covers senior managers and clinical consultants. Level 5 is for executive directors of nursing. Each level has grades or pay points that increase with tenure and competency.

A paediatric nurse entering the profession would typically start at Level 1 Pay Point 1. After a year, they move to Pay Point 2, and so on up to Pay Point 8. To reach Level 2, they usually need to demonstrate advanced skills or take on a leadership role. The award also provides for higher duties allowances when acting in a higher classification.

How states and industries compare

State-based index figures show variation. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A paediatric nurse in Canberra might earn more under a local enterprise agreement than the award minimum, but the award itself is national. The states page shows how each jurisdiction's average earnings compare.

The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, slightly below the national average. Paediatric nursing, being a specialised field within health, may command a premium in some employers, but the award rates are the same across Australia.

Practical example: comparing a paediatric nurse to the national minimum

Imagine a 25-year-old paediatric nurse working full-time at a public hospital in Melbourne. She is classified as a Level 1 Pay Point 3 nurse under the award, earning $1,275.00 per week ($33.55 per hour). That is 27% above the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. Her index is 61.2. After tax and Medicare, her weekly take-home is about $1,027. If she were paid at the national minimum, her take-home would be about $832 per week. The award clearly provides a better income floor.

For more on how the index works, see how the index works.

FAQs

What is the minimum hourly rate for a paediatric nurse under the Nurses Award?

The minimum hourly rate depends on the classification level. For a Level 1 registered nurse at Pay Point 1, it is $32.09 per hour. At Level 2 Pay Point 1 it is $39.59, and at Level 5 Grade 6 it reaches $71.23 per hour. These are the award minimums; actual pay may be higher.

How does a paediatric nurse salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. Even the lowest award rate for a registered nurse (Level 1 Pay Point 1 at $32.09) is 21% above the national minimum. More experienced nurses earn well above it, with Level 5 Grade 6 paying 169% more per hour.

Are paediatric nurses paid above the award rate in practice?

Many paediatric nurses are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay above the award. The Nurses Award 2020 sets the legal minimum, but hospitals and health services often offer higher rates to attract and retain staff. Check your specific employer's agreement for actual pay.