Aged Care Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Aged Care Award
MA000018 · Aged Care
Common roles: Aged care worker, Personal care assistant, Care worker, Residential care worker, Aged care nurse
$27.77
Base rate/hr
$34.71
Casual rate/hr
Know someone covered by the Aged Care Award?
Classification Pay Rates — Aged Care Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.77 | $34.71 | $1,055.26 | $54,873.52 |
| Level 2 | $28.87 | $36.09 | $1,097.06 | $57,047.12 |
| Level 3 | $29.98 | $37.48 | $1,139.24 | $59,240.48 |
| Level 4 | $30.34 | $37.93 | $1,152.92 | $59,951.84 |
| Level 5 | $31.36 | $39.20 | $1,191.68 | $61,967.36 |
| Level 6 | $33.05 | $41.31 | $1,255.90 | $65,306.80 |
| Level 7 | $33.65 | $42.06 | $1,278.70 | $66,492.40 |
Penalty Rates — Aged Care Award
Saturday
$41.66/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.60/hr
1.75x base
Public Holiday
$69.43/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$31.24/hr
1.125x base
Night Shift
$31.94/hr
1.15x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$41.66/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$55.54/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($27.77/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Aged Care Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Award | $27.77/hr | $34.71/hr | $48.60/hr | $69.43/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $69.52/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Aged Care Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Aged Care Award (MA000018), the Level 1 base rate is $27.77/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $34.71/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Aged Care Award?
Permanent employees under the Aged Care Award receive 1.75x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $48.60/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Aged Care Award?
Public holiday work under the Aged Care Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $69.43/hr.
Who is covered by the Aged Care Award?
The Aged Care Award covers employees in the aged care industry. Common job titles include Aged care worker, Personal care assistant, Care worker, Residential care worker, Aged care nurse, Activities officer.
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
Embed the Aged Care Award Pay Rates 2026-27 on your site, free. Get the code →