Home Care Worker Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for home care workers under the Home Care Award 2024, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Home Care Worker Pay Rate
Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100)
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.
$25.68
Base rate/hr
$32.10
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$25.68
Hourly (Casual)
$32.10
Weekly (38hrs)
$975.84
Annual (Full-Time)
$50,743.68
What Award Covers Home Care Workers?
Home Care Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100). 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 home 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).
Home Care Worker Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Home care assistant (entry level) | $25.15 | $31.44 | $955.70 | $49,696.40 |
| Level 2 | Home care worker | $25.68 | $32.10 | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Level 3 | Experienced home care worker / team leader | $26.74 | $33.43 | $1,016.12 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 4 | Senior home care worker / coordinator | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Home Care Worker Pay Rate
Casual home care workers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $25.68/hr to $32.10/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 home care worker working 38 hours per week would earn $63,429.60 (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 Home Care Worker Pay Rate
Part-time home care workers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($25.68/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.
Home Care Worker Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when home care workers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($25.68/hr base).
Saturday
$38.52/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$51.36/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$64.20/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
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 earn less than $25.68/hr as a full-time or part-time home care worker, or less than $32.10/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Care Worker | $25.68/hr | $32.10/hr | $50,743.68 | MA000100 |
| Retail Worker | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000004 |
| Barista | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
| Waiter | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000009 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home care worker get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a home care worker in Australia is $25.68/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $32.10/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Home Care Award 2024. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a home care worker?
Under the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100), the minimum wage for a home care worker starts at $25.68/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $975.84/week or $50,743.68/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $25.50/hr.
What award covers home care workers?
Home Care Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some home care workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a home care worker?
A casual home care worker receives $32.10/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $25.68/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a home care worker?
Under the Home Care Award 2024, home care workers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($38.52/hr), Sunday 2x ($51.36/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($64.20/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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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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