Childcare & Education — Awards, Pay Rates & Compliance
Childcare and early education employs over 240,000 educators across long day care, family day care, occasional care, and outside school hours care (OSHC). The Children's Services Award (MA000120) sets pay rates for educators (Levels 1-6) and Educational Leaders. The Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award covers school-based support staff. The sector underwent a 15% pay rise in 2024 following the Fair Work Commission's gender undervaluation case — many employers have not fully passed this on.
240K+
Educators covered
15%
2024 pay rise (gender case)
~30%
Casual share
Awards covering childcare & education
Modern Awards set the minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and entitlements for each industry. Click through for full details and the interactive calculator.
Common childcare & education roles
Compliance focus areas
The 5 most common compliance issues in childcare & education. Get these right and you avoid 90% of underpayment claims.
2024 gender undervaluation pay rises (15%)
Following the Fair Work Commission's gender undervaluation decision, all childcare classifications received a 15% pay rise (with phased implementation through 2025). Many employers have not yet implemented in full.
Programming time
Educators are entitled to paid non-contact programming time for planning, documentation, and reflection. The Children's Services Award sets minimum hours per week — often underpaid.
Educational leader allowance
Designated Educational Leaders receive a weekly allowance on top of their classification rate. Frequently missed.
Qualification-based progression
Educators progress through pay levels based on completed qualifications (Cert III, Diploma, Bachelor). Employers must update pay when qualifications are completed.
Casual conversion in childcare
Many childcare casuals work regular patterns of hours and are eligible to convert to permanent. The 12-month qualifying period applies.
Calculators for childcare & education
Free, instant calculators covering pay rates, penalty rates, casual loading, and eligibility checks for the childcare & education industry.
Children's Services Pay Rates
Educator levels 1-6, Educational Leader.
Educational Services Pay Rates
School support staff rates.
Early Childhood Educator Pay
By state and qualification.
Casual Conversion Eligibility
Convert from casual to permanent.
Shift Pay Calculator
Calculate split-shift and weekend pay.
Am I Being Underpaid?
Check your rate against the award.
Childcare & Education enforcement decisions
Real Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, and FWO outcomes in this industry.
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Related Articles
Pay rates for childcare educators in 2026 — Certificate III, Diploma, and Early Childhood Teacher rates under the Children's Services Award. Plus penalty rates and the gender undervaluation review.
Gender Undervaluation Pay Rises: Which Awards Got a Raise from 1 April 2026?The Fair Work Commission found female-dominated industries are underpaid. Here's which awards are getting pay rises, how much, and how to check if you're affected.
Health Services Award Pay Rise April 2026 — New Rates for Nurses, Allied Health & Support WorkersThe Health Professionals and Support Services Award got a pay bump from 1 April 2026. Here's what changed, who's affected, and how to check your new rate.