Childcare Educator Pay Rates 2026: ECT, Diploma & Certificate III

Childcare educators and workers are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120). This covers long day care, preschool/kindergarten, family day care, outside school hours care (OSHC), and occasional care services.

The award's educator classifications were restructured from 1 March 2026 into eight levels (PR794818). Your level depends on your qualification and role:

• Level 3 Qualified Educator — Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Level 5 Advanced Educator — Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Level 6 to Level 8 — Room Leader, Assistant Director and Director roles

Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) are not covered by this award. They are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077) — see the ECT section below.

Some childcare centres also operate under enterprise agreements or are government-run (with different pay structures). The award is the minimum floor.

Minimum rates under the Children's Services Award (MA000120, cl 14.1(b)) from 1 July 2026, for full-time and part-time employees (hourly = weekly rate ÷ 38):

• Level 1 Introductory Educator: $28.81/hr
• Level 2 Educator: $29.69/hr
• Level 3 Qualified Educator (Certificate III): $32.47/hr
• Level 4 Experienced Educator (Certificate IV): $34.65/hr
• Level 5 Advanced Educator (Diploma): $36.57/hr
• Level 6 Room Leader: $38.25/hr
• Level 7 Assistant Director: $40.00/hr
• Level 8 Director: $46.12/hr

If you're casual, add the 25% casual loading. A Level 3 Qualified Educator on a casual basis gets at least $40.59/hr.

Junior rates apply only at Levels 1 and 2 (cl 14.3(b)): 70%, 80% or 90% of the Level 2 rate depending on age. Qualified educators are paid the full adult rate regardless of age.

The "15% pay rise" many educators received was the government-funded Worker Retention Payment, not an award increase. It is paid through participating services and the grant currently runs to 30 June 2028. Use our Worker Retention Payment checker to see your minimum WRP-supported rate.

Diploma-qualified educators are classified at Level 5 Advanced Educator under the restructured award, with a minimum of $36.57/hr from 1 July 2026 ($45.71/hr casual).

Room leaders are classified at Level 6 Room Leader ($38.25/hr). If you're leading a room but being paid as a Level 3 or Level 5 educator, check your classification — the award's classification definitions, not your job title, decide your minimum level.

ECTs with a bachelor's degree (or approved equivalent) are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077), not the Children's Services Award. Minimum rates from 1 July 2026 (MA000077 cl 17):

• Teacher Level 1 — Graduate (long day care): $39.83/hr
• Teacher Level 1 — Graduate (preschool/kindergarten): $38.30/hr
• Teacher Level 2 — Proficient (long day care): $43.54/hr

These rates are the award minimum. ECTs in services taking part in the Worker Retention Payment have a higher minimum WRP-supported rate. Many ECTs also earn more through above-award agreements, especially in areas with ECT shortages.

Penalty rates under the Children's Services Award for permanent employees:

• Saturday: 150% of base rate
• Sunday: 200% of base rate
• Public holidays: 250% of base rate
• Early morning shift loading: 110% of base rate (a 10% loading, cl 23.4(c))
• Evening (after 6:30pm): 115% of base rate

Most childcare centres don't operate on weekends, but OSHC services and some family day care providers do. If you work public holidays (for centres that open during school holidays), you should get the 250% rate.

The early morning and evening penalties are relevant if your centre opens before 6am for early drop-offs or stays open late for late pickups.

The Children's Services Award is one of the awards under the Fair Work Commission's gender-based undervaluation review. The FWC has acknowledged that early childhood educators have been underpaid partly because the workforce is overwhelmingly female.

What this means for you:

• Further pay increases are expected as the FWC completes its review — likely through 2026 and 2027
• The government has committed to funding pay increases in the sector through the childcare subsidy system
• Any increases will apply to the award rates, meaning your employer must pass them on

If you're in childcare, check our site regularly for updates on the gender undervaluation decision. When new rates take effect, your employer must apply them from the first full pay period after the effective date.

Use our pay calculator to check your current rate is correct.