Childcare Pay Rates 2025-26
Minimum pay rates for childcare workers in Australia under the Children's Services Award. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Childcare Minimum Pay Rate
Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000018)
$24.10
Base rate/hr
$30.13
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for childcare workers is $24.10/hr under the Children's Services Award. Casuals receive $30.13/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2025.
Early childhood educators and childcare workers are covered by the Children's Services Award. If you work in a long day care centre, family day care, preschool, or kindergarten, these are the rates you should be seeing on your payslip.
Childcare Classification Rates
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Children's Services Level 1 | $24.10 | $30.13 | $47,621.60 |
| Level 2 | Children's Services Level 2 | $24.88 | $31.10 | $49,162.88 |
| Level 3 | Children's Services Level 3 | $26.18 | $32.73 | $51,731.68 |
| Level 4 | Children's Services Level 4 | $28.18 | $35.23 | $55,683.68 |
| Level 5 | Children's Services Level 5 | $30.07 | $37.59 | $59,418.32 |
| Level 6 | Children's Services Level 6 | $32.15 | $40.19 | $63,528.40 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Children's Services Award 2010. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual Childcare 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 | $24.10 | +$6.03 | $30.13 |
| Level 2 | $24.88 | +$6.22 | $31.10 |
| Level 3 | $26.18 | +$6.55 | $32.73 |
| Level 4 | $28.18 | +$7.05 | $35.23 |
| Level 5 | $30.07 | +$7.52 | $37.59 |
| Level 6 | $32.15 | +$8.04 | $40.19 |
Childcare Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $24.10/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $48.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $60.25/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $36.15/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $48.20/hr |
Full Children's Services Award Details
View the complete Children's Services Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Children's Services Award Pay Rates →Getting Paid Less Than This?
If your payslip shows less than $24.10/hr (or $30.13/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in childcare. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →Pay Rates by Industry
Childcare Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for childcare workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for childcare workers is $24.10/hr (Level 1) under the Children's Services Award. Casual childcare workers get $30.13/hr. Qualified early childhood teachers at Level 5 earn $30.07/hr base.
What award covers childcare workers?
The Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000018) covers childcare workers, early childhood educators, family day care workers, and centre directors. If you hold a teaching qualification, you may be on a higher level.
How much does an early childhood teacher earn?
Under the Children's Services Award, a qualified early childhood teacher at Level 5 earns $30.07/hr base ($37.59/hr casual). Level 6 (centre director) earns $32.15/hr base. Many employers pay above-award rates to attract qualified staff.
Do childcare workers get penalty rates on weekends?
Yes. Saturday pays 1.5x and Sunday pays 2.0x your base rate. Public holidays are 2.5x. However, most childcare centres don't operate on weekends, so these penalties are less commonly triggered than in other industries.
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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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