Aged Care Worker Pay Rate Australia 2026-27
Aged Care Workers earn at least $32.61/hr (Level 1), $40.76/hr casual — about $1,239 a week full-time — under the Aged Care Award 2010. Every classification level, penalty rates below.
Aged Care Worker Pay Rate
Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018)
Aged care workers provide personal care, support, and assistance to elderly residents in nursing homes and residential aged care facilities.
$32.61
Base rate/hr
$40.76
Casual rate/hr
$32.61
$40.76
$1,239.18
$64,437.36
What Award Covers Aged Care Workers?
Aged Care Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some aged care workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
Aged Care Worker Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Direct Care Employee – Introductory | $32.61 | $40.76 | $1,239.18 | $64,437.36 |
| Level 2 | Direct Carer (3+ months' experience; no qualification needed) | $34.42 | $43.03 | $1,307.96 | $68,013.92 |
| Level 3 | Qualified (Certificate III in Individual Support) | $36.23 | $45.29 | $1,376.74 | $71,590.48 |
| Level 4 | Senior (Certificate III + 4 years at Level 3) | $37.68 | $47.10 | $1,431.84 | $74,455.68 |
| Level 5 | Specialist | $39.13 | $48.91 | $1,486.94 | $77,320.88 |
| Level 6 | Team Leader (Certificate IV + supervising) | $40.58 | $50.72 | $1,542.04 | $80,186.08 |
Casual Aged Care Worker Pay Rate
Casual aged care workers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $32.61/hr to $40.76/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual aged care worker working 38 hours per week would earn $80,541.76 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Aged Care Worker Pay Rate
Part-time aged care workers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($32.61/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Aged Care Worker Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when aged care workers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($32.61/hr base).
$48.92/hr
$57.07/hr
$81.53/hr
Am I Being Underpaid as a Aged Care Worker?
The aged care sector received a historic 15% pay increase in 2023 following the Work Value Case. If your rates have not been updated since then, you may be underpaid.
If you earn less than $32.61/hr as a full-time or part-time aged care worker, or less than $40.76/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Worker | $32.61/hr | $40.76/hr | $64,437.36 | MA000018 |
| Retail Worker | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $54,952.56 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $52,245.44 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
More on the Aged Care Award
Aged Care Award (MA000018) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in aged care
- ROSENEATH AGED CARE, NSWNMA, ANMF NSW BRANCH AND HSU NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024
- Wheatfields Incorporated Nursing Employees (aged care) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Calvary Health Care – Aged Care Australian Capital Territory Enterprise Agreement 2023-2028
- Dunbar Homes Inc Nursing Employees (Aged Care) Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre Inc and Bentleys Aged Care Enterprise Agreement 2025
- VMCH Aged Care Services Agreement 2025
Employer pay guides under the Aged Care Award
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a aged care worker get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a aged care worker in Australia is $32.61/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $40.76/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Aged Care Award 2010. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a aged care worker?
Under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018), the minimum wage for a aged care worker starts at $32.61/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,239.18/week or $64,437.36/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $26.44/hr.
What award covers aged care workers?
Aged Care Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some aged care workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a aged care worker?
A casual aged care worker receives $40.76/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $32.61/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a aged care worker?
Under the Aged Care Award 2010, aged care workers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($48.92/hr), Sunday 1.75x ($57.07/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($81.53/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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