Paediatric nurse salary: what you take home after tax in 2026–27

Overview

If you are a paediatric nurse in Australia, your salary depends on your classification under the Nurses Award 2020. This guide explains the minimum award rates and how to estimate your take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy. The keyword paediatric nurse salary here refers to the base pay set by Fair Work, which varies by experience and role.

Award rates for paediatric nurses

Paediatric nurses are typically classified as Registered Nurses (RN) under the award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes minimum weekly and hourly rates. For full-time employees (38 hours per week), the rates effective from 1 August 2026 are:

• RN Level 1, pay point 1: $1,219.50 per week ($32.09 per hour)
• RN Level 1, pay point 8 and thereafter: $1,465.50 per week ($38.57 per hour)
• RN Level 2, pay point 1: $1,504.40 per week ($39.59 per hour)
• RN Level 3, pay point 1: $1,631.20 per week ($42.93 per hour)
• RN Level 4, Grade 1: $1,861.70 per week ($48.99 per hour)
• RN Level 5, Grade 6: $2,706.90 per week ($71.23 per hour)

These are minimum rates. Your actual paediatric nurse salary may be higher depending on your employer, experience, and any allowances. The award also specifies penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.

Estimating take-home pay

To work out what reaches your bank account, start with your gross annual salary. For example, an RN Level 1 pay point 1 earning $1,219.50 per week gives an annual salary of $63,414 (52 weeks). Using the 2026–27 tax rates:

• Tax on $63,414: $4,020 plus 30c for each dollar over $45,000 = $4,020 + $5,524.20 = $9,544.20
• Less Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): at $63,414, LITO is $325 minus 1.5c per dollar over $45,000 = $325 – $276.21 = $48.79. So net tax = $9,544.20 – $48.79 = $9,495.41
• Medicare levy: 2% of $63,414 = $1,268.28 (full rate applies as salary exceeds $35,013)
• Take-home pay: $63,414 – $9,495.41 – $1,268.28 = $52,650.31 per year, or about $1,012.51 per week.

Use the Take-home pay calculator for your exact figures. Remember, this estimate excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice.

Factors that affect your pay

• Part-time work: Jobs and Skills Australia reports that only 45% of paediatric nurses work full-time. Part-time hours reduce your gross and net pay.
• Superannuation: Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your salary from 1 July 2026. This is not deducted from your take-home but adds to your retirement savings. See Super.
• Salary packaging: Some employers offer salary packaging for items like cars or laptops, which can reduce your taxable income. Learn more at Salary packaging.
• Penalty rates: If you work weekends or public holidays, your hourly rate increases, boosting your take-home pay.

Using the award correctly

The Nurses Award 2020 is the legal minimum. Your employer must pay at least these rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guide and a Pay and Conditions Tool to check your entitlements. Always compare your payslip to the award.