What is a vet nurse salary in Australia? A guide to reading job ads and comparing offers
Learn how to read a vet nurse salary in job ads using award rates, median earnings, and the Salary Index. Compare offers with confidence.
A vet nurse salary sits below the national line: the median full-time earnings of $1,667 per week give an index of about 80, while award minimums range from index 47 to 59.
What is a vet nurse salary in Australia?
When you see a job ad for a veterinary nurse, the salary figure can be hard to interpret. Is it above the award? Is it competitive for your experience? This guide explains how to read a vet nurse salary using the official award, median earnings data, and the Salary Index.
The award minimum: your starting point
The Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118) sets the legal minimum pay for most vet nurses in Australia. From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates are:
- Introductory level: $978.10 per week ($25.74 per hour)
- Level 1: $1,004.90 ($26.44)
- Level 2: $1,073.10 ($28.24)
- Level 3: $1,119.10 ($29.45)
- Level 4: $1,221.10 ($32.13)
These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual workers get a 25% loading, so an introductory casual vet nurse earns $32.18 per hour. The award also includes penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays. For example, a level 1 vet nurse working Sunday gets $46.27 per hour (casual) or $33.05 (full-time).
Fair Work Ombudsman provides the full classification definitions and conditions.
Median earnings: what vet nurses actually earn
Award rates are the floor. Most experienced vet nurses earn more. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for veterinary nurses are $1,667 (before tax). That works out to about $86,684 per year. The median hourly rate is $37.
This is significantly higher than the award maximum of $1,221.10. Why the gap? Many vet nurses work in practices that pay above-award rates to attract and retain staff. Also, the median includes nurses with several years of experience and possibly higher-level duties.
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that 96% of vet nurses are female, the median age is 28, and 58% work full-time.
Using the Salary Index to compare
The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national benchmark of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The benchmark is $108,352 per year (index 100). To calculate the index for a vet nurse salary:
- Award minimum (level 1): $52,255 per year → index 48.2
- Award maximum (level 4): $63,497 per year → index 58.6
- Median full-time: $86,684 per year → index 80.0
So even the median vet nurse salary sits about 20% below the national line. This is typical for health care support roles. For comparison, the national minimum wage is index 48.2, and the health care and social assistance industry average is index 97.8.
Reading a job ad: what to look for
When you see a vet nurse salary in a job ad, ask:
- Is it full-time, part-time, or casual? Casual rates include loading but no paid leave.
- What classification level? The ad may say “Level 2 vet nurse” – check the award definition.
- Does it include super? Salary figures in ads often exclude the 12% super guarantee. Add it to compare total remuneration.
- Is it above award? Compare the hourly rate to the award minimum for that level.
Example: An ad offers $35 per hour for a level 2 vet nurse. The award minimum is $28.24. That’s 24% above award – a good offer. The index for $35/hour full-time (40 hours, 52 weeks) is $72,800 → index 67.2.
State and industry context
Where you work affects your vet nurse salary. The Salary Index shows state benchmarks:
- Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825 annualised)
- ACT: index 109.9 ($119,090)
- Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
A vet nurse in WA might earn more than one in TAS, even for the same role. Check state guides for local award variations.
Tax and take-home pay
A vet nurse earning the median $86,684 per year would pay approximately:
- Tax: $17,547 (using 2026-27 rates, tax-free threshold, excluding Medicare)
- Medicare levy: $1,734 (2%)
- Take-home: about $67,403 per year or $1,296 per week
If you earn $35 per hour full-time ($72,800), take-home is about $57,500.
Summary
A vet nurse salary can range from award minimums around $50,000 to above-award roles near $90,000. Use the award as a floor, median data as a realistic target, and the Salary Index to see where you stand nationally. When comparing job offers, always check the classification, hours, and whether super is included.
For more on how the index works, see how the index works. Browse pay guides for other occupations.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum vet nurse salary under the award?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly salary for a veterinary nurse under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award ranges from $978.10 (introductory) to $1,221.10 (level 4). Hourly rates are $25.74 to $32.13. These are before tax and super.
How does the median vet nurse salary compare to the national average?
The median full-time vet nurse salary of $1,667 per week gives a Salary Index of about 80, meaning it is 20% below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (index 100).
Do vet nurses get superannuation and penalty rates?
Yes. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of gross wages. Award-covered vet nurses are entitled to penalty rates for weekend, public holiday, and overtime work. For example, a level 1 vet nurse on Sunday earns $46.27 per hour (casual) or $33.05 (full-time).