MA000018Aged Care
Aged Care Award
Aged Care Award 2010
Who does this award cover?
The Aged Care Award covers employees working in aged care, including the following common roles:
Pay rates by classification
| Classification | Base (per hour) | Casual (+25%) | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Employee Level 1 | $27.77 | $34.71 | $1055.26 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 2 | $28.87 | $36.09 | $1097.06 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 3 | $29.98 | $37.48 | $1139.24 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 4 | $30.34 | $37.93 | $1152.92 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 5 | $31.36 | $39.20 | $1191.68 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 6 | $33.05 | $41.31 | $1255.90 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 7 | $33.65 | $42.06 | $1278.70 |
Get plain-English answers on the Aged Care Award
Answers grounded on the full MA000018 document — every clause, variation, and classification. Pro is $29.99/mo, cancel anytime.
Penalty rates
How casual overtime is calculated
One of the most common payroll questions under the Aged Care Award: when a casual works overtime or weekend hours, does the 1.5× or 2× multiplier apply to the base rate, or to the 25%-loaded casual rate? The answer depends on how the award is drafted.
Method for the Aged Care Award
Compounded — overtime multiplier applied to the 25%-loaded casual rate
Following the FWC 4-yearly review variation effective 1 March 2021, overtime for casuals is calculated on the casual rate inclusive of the 25% loading. Shift penalties, however, are calculated on the base rate (loading excluded). Pre-1 March 2021, many employers calculated additively — relevant for back-pay lookups.
| Method | Calculation | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Additive | $30.34 × 175% | $53.10 |
| Compounded (used by this award) | $37.93 × 150% | $56.89 |
| Separate | $30.34 × 150% | $45.51 |
Break entitlements
| Shift length | Meal break | Rest break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | — | — | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | — | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
More on the Aged Care Award
Aged Care Award pay rates 2026-27
Every classification, junior and casual rate, penalty table and rate calculator.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in aged care
- ROSENEATH AGED CARE, NSWNMA, ANMF NSW BRANCH AND HSU NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024
- Wheatfields Incorporated Nursing Employees (aged care) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Calvary Health Care – Aged Care Australian Capital Territory Enterprise Agreement 2023-2028
- Dunbar Homes Inc Nursing Employees (Aged Care) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre Inc and Bentleys Aged Care Enterprise Agreement 2025
- VMCH Aged Care Services Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Aged Care Award
Want the full MA000018 document?
This page covers the headline rates, penalties, and break rules. The full award has dozens more clauses: allowances, overtime formulas, rostering rules, dispute procedures, and classification descriptors. FairWork Mate answers plain-English questions grounded on every clause, with a citation back to the award on every answer.
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