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.
Aged 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
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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 |
Direct care stream — personal care workers and care workers
Direct care employees (personal care workers and care workers) are paid on a separate, higher stream from the general table above. The final direct-care work value stage took effect on 1 October 2025; no further stage is scheduled. Home care workers are covered by the SCHADS Award, not this award.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Introductory | $32.61 | $40.76 | $1,239.18 |
| Level 2 | Direct Carer (3+ months' experience; no qualification needed) | $34.42 | $43.03 | $1,307.96 |
| Level 3 | Qualified (Certificate III in Individual Support) | $36.23 | $45.29 | $1,376.74 |
| Level 4 | Senior (Certificate III + 4 years at Level 3) | $37.68 | $47.10 | $1,431.84 |
| Level 5 | Specialist | $39.13 | $48.91 | $1,486.94 |
| Level 6 | Team Leader (Certificate IV + supervising) | $40.58 | $50.72 | $1,542.04 |
Penalty Rates — Aged Care Award
$41.66/hr
$48.60/hr
$69.43/hr
$31.24/hr
$31.94/hr
$41.66/hr
$55.54/hr
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
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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 | $62.57/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 |
More on the Aged Care Award
Aged Care Award (MA000018) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
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
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.
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