Aged Care Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for aged care workers in Australia under the Aged Care Award: $27.77/hr at Level 1, $34.71/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Aged Care Minimum Pay Rate
Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018)
$27.77
Base rate/hr
$34.71
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for aged care workers is $27.77/hr under the Aged Care Award. Casuals receive $34.71/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Aged care workers got a significant pay boost in recent years and the rates keep improving. Whether you're a personal care assistant, activities officer, or residential care worker, you're covered by the Aged Care Award. Here's what the numbers look like right now.
Aged Care Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Aged Care Employee Level 1 | $27.77 | $34.71 | $54,873.52 |
| Level 2 | Aged Care Employee Level 2 | $28.87 | $36.09 | $57,047.12 |
| Level 3 | Aged Care Employee Level 3 | $29.98 | $37.48 | $59,240.48 |
| Level 4 | Aged Care Employee Level 4 | $30.34 | $37.93 | $59,951.84 |
| Level 5 | Aged Care Employee Level 5 | $31.36 | $39.20 | $61,967.36 |
| Level 6 | Aged Care Employee Level 6 | $33.05 | $41.31 | $65,306.80 |
| Level 7 | Aged Care Employee Level 7 | $33.65 | $42.06 | $66,492.40 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Aged Care Award 2010. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Aged Care Pay Rates
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.77 | +$6.94 | $34.71 |
| Level 2 | $28.87 | +$7.22 | $36.09 |
| Level 3 | $29.98 | +$7.50 | $37.48 |
| Level 4 | $30.34 | +$7.59 | $37.93 |
| Level 5 | $31.36 | +$7.84 | $39.20 |
| Level 6 | $33.05 | +$8.26 | $41.31 |
| Level 7 | $33.65 | +$8.41 | $42.06 |
Aged Care Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $27.77/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$41.66/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.60/hr
1.75x base
Public Holiday
$69.43/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $41.66/hr |
| Sunday | 1.75x | $48.60/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $69.43/hr |
| Afternoon Shift | 1.125x | $31.24/hr |
| Night Shift | 1.15x | $31.94/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $41.66/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $55.54/hr |
Full Aged Care Award Details
View the complete Aged Care Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Aged Care Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $27.77/hr (or $34.71/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in aged care. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Aged Care Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for aged care workers in 2026?
It depends on your stream. Personal care workers and care workers are on the Aged Care Award's direct care stream: $32.61/hr at Level 1 (Introductory) up to $40.58/hr at Level 6 (Team Leader), from 1 July 2026. General stream employees (cleaning, laundry, food services, admin) start at $27.77/hr (Level 1, $34.71/hr casual) and go up to $33.65/hr base at Level 7.
Do aged care workers get penalty rates?
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday pays 1.75x, and public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate. Afternoon and night shifts also attract shift loadings of 12.5% and 15% respectively.
What is the difference between the Aged Care Award and the Nurses Award?
The Aged Care Award covers personal care workers, assistants, and support staff. Registered and enrolled nurses working in aged care are covered by the Nurses Award, which has higher base rates. Your classification depends on your qualifications.
Did aged care workers get a pay rise?
Yes. Aged care workers received significant increases through the Fair Work Commission's work value case. The 2026-27 rates reflect the annual wage review increase of 4.75%. The final direct-care work value stage took effect on 1 October 2025; no further stage is scheduled, so future rises come through the Annual Wage Review.
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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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