Vet nurse salary: what reaches your bank account after tax and Medicare

Understanding your vet nurse salary: gross, package and take-home

When you see a job ad for a veterinary nurse, the pay figure can be confusing. Is it your salary before tax? Does it include super? What actually lands in your bank account each fortnight? This guide clears up the mix-ups and shows you how to work out your take-home pay.

What the award says

Veterinary nurses in Australia are covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020. Fair Work sets minimum rates for each classification level. For a Level 1 veterinary nurse, the minimum weekly rate is $1,004.90 for full-time work (38 hours per week). That's $26.44 per hour. Minimum wage rates are updated each year; these figures apply from 1 July 2026.

There is also an introductory level at $978.10 per week, but the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia notes that this classification can only be used for a maximum of three months. After that, you must move to Level 1 or higher.

Gross salary vs package

Your gross salary is the amount before any deductions – it's the base pay you earn. But many job ads quote a 'package' that includes superannuation. Super is paid by your employer on top of your gross salary at 12% from 1 July 2026. It goes into your super fund, not your bank account.

For example:

• Ad says "$55,000 plus super" → your gross = $55,000 gross, super = $6,600, total package = $61,600
• Ad says "$55,000 package" → your gross = $55,000 ÷ 1.12 = $49,107 gross, super = $5,893, total = $55,000

Always check which wording is used. Salary packaging can also affect your taxable income if you salary sacrifice, but for most vet nurses the simple rule is: know whether the quoted figure is gross or package.

From gross to take-home

Once you know your gross annual salary, you can estimate your take-home after tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026-27, the tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $18,200: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,000 – $45,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,000 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• $190,000+: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

You also get the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): up to $700 if your taxable income is $37,500, then reduces above that. At $52,255, you get about $216 LITO.

Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are thresholds: if you earn $28,011 or less you pay nothing; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate; above $35,013 you pay the full 2%. For a full-time vet nurse earning $52,255, you pay the full 2% – that's $1,045.

So for a Level 1 vet nurse on $52,255 gross:

• Income tax (after LITO): ~$5,980
• Medicare levy: ~$1,045
• Total deductions: ~$7,025
• Take-home: ~$45,230 per year
• Per fortnight: ~$1,740
• Per week: ~$870

This is an estimate. Your actual take-home may differ due to HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice. Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site for a personalised estimate.

Super is not deducted from your pay

Super is paid by your employer on top of your gross salary. It does not reduce your take-home. For a $52,255 gross salary, your employer pays $6,271 in super (12%). That money goes into your super fund, not your bank account. Super is for your retirement.

Part-time and casual work

Many vet nurses work part-time or casually. Award rates apply proportionally. For example, a part-time Level 1 vet nurse working 20 hours per week earns $26.44 per hour, so $528.80 per week gross. Tax and Medicare are calculated on that lower amount, so take-home is less but the principles are the same.

Benchmarks for comparison

For context, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The average full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Australia are $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). A Level 1 vet nurse is below that average, but it's a solid starting point. Benchmarks show how your pay compares.

Final tips

• Always read job ads carefully: know if the figure is gross or package. Ask the employer if unsure.
• Use the [Clearance tool](/clearance] to check your award classification and pay rates.
• Remember that tax and Medicare are not deducted from your pay – it's your gross that gets taxed.