Children's Services Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Last verified: 19 July 2026Children's Services Award
MA000120 · Childcare
Common roles: Childcare worker, Childcare educator, Early childhood teacher, Family day care worker, Centre director
$28.81
Base rate/hr
$36.01
Casual rate/hr
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Classification Pay Rates — Children's Services Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $28.81 | $36.01 | $1,094.78 | $56,928.56 |
| Level 2 | $29.69 | $37.11 | $1,128.22 | $58,667.44 |
| Level 3 | $32.47 | $40.59 | $1,233.86 | $64,160.72 |
| Level 4 | $34.65 | $43.31 | $1,316.70 | $68,468.40 |
| Level 5 | $36.57 | $45.71 | $1,389.66 | $72,262.32 |
| Level 6 | $38.25 | $47.81 | $1,453.50 | $75,582.00 |
| Level 7 | $40.00 | $50.00 | $1,520.00 | $79,040.00 |
| Level 8 | $46.12 | $57.65 | $1,752.56 | $91,133.12 |
Penalty Rates — Children's Services Award
Saturday
$43.21/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$57.62/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$72.02/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$43.21/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$57.62/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($28.81/hr base).View full penalty rate table →
Break Rules — Children's Services Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 hours | None | None | No |
| 4–5 hours | None | 10 min | Yes |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | 10 min | No |
| 7.6+ hours | 30 min | 20 min | No |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Services Award | $28.81/hr | $36.01/hr | $57.62/hr | $72.02/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 |
Children's Services Award enforcement cases
Fair Work and Federal Court decisions citing this award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Children's Services Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Children's Services Award (MA000120), the Level 1 base rate is $28.81/hr from 1 July 2026. The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $36.01/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Children's Services Award?
Permanent employees under the Children's Services Award receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $57.62/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Children's Services Award?
Public holiday work under the Children's Services Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $72.02/hr.
Who is covered by the Children's Services Award?
The Children's Services Award covers employees in the childcare industry. Common job titles include Childcare worker, Childcare educator, Early childhood teacher, Family day care worker, Centre director, Preschool teacher, Room leader, Assistant director.
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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.
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