Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 — Pay Rates July 2026
Minimum pay rates effective 1 July 2026 under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020. All rates verified directly against the official Fair Work Commission pay guide published 24 June 2026.
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Effective 1 July 2026 · Adult rates only · Source: Fair Work Commission
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary nurse - introductory | $25.74/hr | $32.18/hr |
| Veterinary nurse - level 1 | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr |
| Veterinary nurse - level 2 | $28.24/hr | $35.30/hr |
| Veterinary nurse - level 3 | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr |
| Veterinary nurse - level 4 | $32.13/hr | $40.16/hr |
| Practice manager - level 5 | $33.77/hr | $42.21/hr |
| Veterinary surgeon level 1A | $34.20/hr | $42.75/hr |
| Veterinary surgeon level 1B | $36.08/hr | $45.10/hr |
| Veterinary surgeon level 2 | $38.98/hr | $48.73/hr |
| Veterinary surgeon level 3 | $42.83/hr | $53.54/hr |
| Veterinary surgeon level 4 | $48.38/hr | $60.48/hr |
Penalty rates — Veterinary nurse - introductory
Full-time/part-time and casual rates often differ — casual employees receive a higher percentage on top of the 25% casual loading.
| When | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | $51.48/hr 200% | — |
| Public Holiday | $64.35/hr 250% | — |
| Saturday First3hrs | $38.61/hr 150% | — |
| Saturday After3hrs | $51.48/hr 200% | — |
Common questions about the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award
What is the minimum wage under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award?
The minimum full-time rate under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award from 1 July 2026 is $25.74 per hour. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $32.18 per hour.
What is the casual loading under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award?
Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate, which compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Casual penalty rates for weekends, evenings and public holidays are usually higher again than the full-time/part-time penalty rates - not just the base rate plus 25% - so check the specific casual figures in the table above rather than estimating.
When did the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award rates last change?
Current rates took effect 1 July 2026 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision, which applied a 4.75% increase to Modern Award minimum rates (the National Minimum Wage floor for award-free workers rose separately, by 5.97%, to $26.44/hr). Rates are reviewed and updated every 1 July.
What happens if my employer pays me less than the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award minimum?
Paying below the award minimum is a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009. You can report underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94. Investigations are free and you may be entitled to back pay for up to 6 years.
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Start free wage checkAll rates sourced from Fair Work Commission pay guides effective 1 July 2026. Rates verified against official FWC published documents and updated annually on 1 July. This is factual information only — not legal advice. FairLanding (ABN 34 583 311 963) operates under Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958. For advice specific to your situation, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94.