Childcare Pay Rates 2026-27
Minimum pay rates for childcare workers in Australia under the Children's Services Award: $28.81/hr at Level 1, $36.01/hr casual, every classification level, penalty rates. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Childcare Minimum Pay Rate
Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120)
$28.81
Base rate/hr
$36.01
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for childcare workers is $28.81/hr under the Children's Services Award. Casuals receive $36.01/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
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 | Level 1 — Introductory Educator | $28.81 | $36.01 | $56,928.56 |
| Level 2 | Level 2 — Educator | $29.69 | $37.11 | $58,667.44 |
| Level 3 | Level 3 — Qualified Educator | $32.47 | $40.59 | $64,160.72 |
| Level 4 | Level 4 — Experienced Educator | $34.65 | $43.31 | $68,468.40 |
| Level 5 | Level 5 — Advanced Educator | $36.57 | $45.71 | $72,262.32 |
| Level 6 | Level 6 — Room Leader | $38.25 | $47.81 | $75,582.00 |
| Level 7 | Level 7 — Assistant Director | $40.00 | $50.00 | $79,040.00 |
| Level 8 | Level 8 — Director | $46.12 | $57.65 | $91,133.12 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 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 | $28.81 | +$7.20 | $36.01 |
| Level 2 | $29.69 | +$7.42 | $37.11 |
| Level 3 | $32.47 | +$8.12 | $40.59 |
| Level 4 | $34.65 | +$8.66 | $43.31 |
| Level 5 | $36.57 | +$9.14 | $45.71 |
| Level 6 | $38.25 | +$9.56 | $47.81 |
| Level 7 | $40.00 | +$10.00 | $50.00 |
| Level 8 | $46.12 | +$11.53 | $57.65 |
Childcare Penalty Rates
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $28.81/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$43.21/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$57.62/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$72.02/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $43.21/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $57.62/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $72.02/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $43.21/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $57.62/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 $28.81/hr (or $36.01/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
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Childcare Pay Rates FAQ
What is the minimum pay rate for childcare workers in 2026?
The minimum base rate for childcare workers is $28.81/hr (Level 1 — Introductory Educator) under the Children's Services Award, effective 1 July 2026. Casual childcare workers at the same level get $36.01/hr (25% loading). A Level 6 Room Leader earns $38.25/hr base, a Level 7 Assistant Director earns $40.00/hr, and a Level 8 Director earns $46.12/hr.
What award covers childcare workers?
The Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120) covers childcare workers, early childhood educators, family day care workers, room leaders, assistant directors, and centre directors. Early childhood teachers are not covered by this award — they are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077).
How much does an early childhood teacher earn?
Early childhood teachers are not covered by the Children's Services Award — they are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077). From 1 July 2026 a graduate teacher (Level 1) in long day care earns at least $39.83/hr, or $38.30/hr in a preschool/kindergarten. Under the Children's Services Award, a Diploma-qualified Level 5 Advanced Educator earns $36.57/hr base ($45.71/hr casual) and a Level 6 Room Leader earns $38.25/hr. 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 check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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