Home Care Worker Pay Rate in QLD 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for home care workers in Queensland under the Home Care Award 2024. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Home Care Worker — Minimum Pay Rate (QLD)
Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100)
$25.68
Base rate/hr
$32.10
Casual rate/hr
Home care workers provide personal care, domestic assistance, and social support to elderly and disabled people in their homes. They assist with daily living activities and medication management.
Queensland Note
Queensland workers are entitled to state-specific public holidays including Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in Brisbane.
Minimum Hourly Rates — Home Care Worker
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $25.68/hr | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Part-time (adult) | $25.68/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $32.10/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Home Care Award 2024.
Penalty Rates — Home Care Worker
Saturday
$38.52/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.36/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.20/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($25.68/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
Classification Levels — Home Care Award 2024
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Home care assistant (entry level) | $25.15 | $31.44 | $49,696.40 |
| Level 2 | Home care worker | $25.68 | $32.10 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 3 | Experienced home care worker / team leader | $26.74 | $33.43 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 4 | Senior home care worker / coordinator | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
Am I Being Underpaid as a Home Care Worker?
Home care workers frequently travel between clients without being paid for travel time. Other common issues include unpaid overnight shifts and not receiving broken shift allowances.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home care worker get paid per hour in Queensland?
The minimum hourly rate for a home care worker in Queensland is $25.68/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $32.10/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100), effective from 1 July 2025.
What is the minimum wage for a home care worker?
The minimum wage for a home care worker is $25.68 per hour ($975.84 per week for a 38-hour week, or $50,743.68 per year). This is set by the Home Care Award 2024. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
What award covers home care workers?
Home Care Workers are covered by the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Do home care workers get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Under the Home Care Award 2024, home care workers receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($38.52/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($51.36/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($64.20/hr).
What is the casual rate for a home care worker?
The casual rate for a home care worker is $32.10/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $25.68/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
How much should a 17 year old home care worker get paid?
Home care workers are typically adult employees. Junior rates do not commonly apply. The Home Care Award 2024 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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