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Registered nurse salary QLD per hour: award rates and Queensland Health pay
Find registered nurse salary QLD per hour from the Nurses Award 2020 and Queensland Health enterprise agreement. Compare with national minimum wage and salary index.
A registered nurse in Queensland can earn between $32.09 per hour (award minimum) and over $56 per hour under the Queensland Health agreement, placing the salary index between about 58 and 80 depending on classification.
What does "registered nurse salary QLD per hour" mean?
The phrase "registered nurse salary QLD per hour" refers to the hourly pay a registered nurse can expect in Queensland, Australia. This figure depends on whether the nurse is covered by the national Nurses Award 2020 or a specific enterprise agreement, such as the one for Queensland Health. The award sets a legal floor, while agreements often pay more. Understanding the difference helps nurses and employers benchmark pay against the national line.
Award rates under the Nurses Award 2020
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Nurses Award 2020, which applies to most private-sector nurses and some public-sector nurses not covered by an agreement. As of August 2026, the minimum hourly rates for registered nurses are:
- Registered nurse Level 1: $32.09 per hour (pay point 1) up to $38.57 per hour (pay point 8).
- Registered nurse Level 2: $39.59 to $41.59 per hour.
- Registered nurse Level 3: $42.93 to $45.27 per hour.
- Registered nurse Level 4: $48.99 to $55.57 per hour.
- Registered nurse Level 5: $49.44 to $65.11 per hour.
These are minimums. Many employers pay above award, especially in hospitals and aged care. The award also includes allowances for shift work, on-call, and qualifications.
Queensland Health enterprise agreement rates
Queensland Health, the state's public health system, operates under the Nurses and Midwives (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement. From 1 April 2026, the hourly rates for registered nurses are:
- Registered Nurse/Midwife Grade 5: $44.28 per hour (pay point 1) to $56.79 per hour (pay point 7).
- Clinical Nurse Grade 6: $57.76 per hour (pay point 1) to $61.85 per hour (pay point 4).
- Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 7: $70.93 per hour (pay point 1) to $77.01 per hour (pay point 4).
- Nurse Practitioner Grade 8: $79.86 per hour (pay point 1) to $83.38 per hour (pay point 3).
These rates are significantly above the award. For example, a Grade 5 pay point 1 RN earns about 38% more than the award Level 1 minimum. The agreement also includes a 0.5% CPI uplift applied in mid-2026.
How the salary index compares
The Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). To find the index for a registered nurse role, annualise the hourly rate (multiply by 38 hours per week and 52 weeks) and divide by $108,352, then multiply by 100.
- Award minimum RN Level 1: $32.09/hr × 38 × 52 = $63,400 annual → index 58.5.
- Queensland Health RN Grade 5 pay point 1: $44.28/hr × 38 × 52 = $87,790 annual → index 81.0.
- Queensland Health Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 7: $70.93/hr → $138,700 annual → index 96.9.
For context, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), so even the lowest award rate is above the minimum. The health care and social assistance industry has an average index of 97.8, so a Queensland Health RN at Grade 5 is slightly below that industry average, while a Clinical Nurse Consultant is near it.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 with casual loading. The Nurses Award 2020 sets a higher floor for registered nurses. Even the lowest RN classification (Level 1 pay point 1) pays 21% more than the minimum. The Queensland Health agreement pays even more, reflecting the skill and responsibility of nursing roles.
It's important to note that modern awards can set different rates for juniors, trainees, or employees with disabilities. The Nurses Award has specific provisions for enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing, but for registered nurses, the rates are as shown.
Tax and super considerations
Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings. For a Queensland Health RN earning $87,790, the employer adds $10,535 in super. The salary index does not include super.
Resident 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
- 45% above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay estimates should account for these. For example, a Queensland Health RN earning $87,790 would pay about $16,900 in tax plus $1,756 Medicare, leaving around $69,134 net.
Where to find current rates
For the most up-to-date award rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman website for the Nurses Award. For Queensland Health rates, refer to the Queensland Health wage rates page. The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission also publishes the state award.
Summary
A registered nurse in Queensland can expect an hourly rate between $32.09 (award minimum) and over $56 (Queensland Health Grade 5 top) or higher for advanced roles. The salary index ranges from about 58 to 97, depending on classification and employer. Always check the applicable award or agreement for your specific role. For more comparisons, see our pay guides and state benchmarks.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between the award rate and the Queensland Health agreement rate for a registered nurse?
The Nurses Award 2020 sets the legal minimum hourly rate for registered nurses across Australia, including Queensland. For a Level 1 registered nurse, the award minimum starts at $32.09 per hour. The Queensland Health enterprise agreement (EB12) covers nurses employed by Queensland Health and pays significantly more. For example, a Registered Nurse Grade 5 pay point 1 under the agreement earns $44.28 per hour. Employees are paid the higher of the award or agreement rate.
How do I calculate the salary index for a registered nurse in Queensland?
The salary index compares a role's annual gross pay to the national line of $108,352 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings). To calculate, take the annual salary (hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks) and divide by $108,352, then multiply by 100. For a Queensland Health RN Grade 5 pay point 1 earning $44.28 per hour, the annual salary is about $87,790, giving an index of 81. An award-only RN at $32.09 per hour annualises to $63,400, index 58.5.
Does superannuation apply to registered nurse salaries in Queensland?
Yes, the super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings. For a Queensland Health RN earning $87,790 per year, the employer contributes an additional $10,535 in super. The super guarantee maximum contribution base is $270,830. Super is not included in the salary index calculation, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings before tax and super.