Aged Care Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 2 August 2026Aged Care Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday
$41.66/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.60/hr
1.75x base
Public Holiday
$69.43/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$31.24/hr
1.125x base
Night Shift
$31.94/hr
1.15x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$41.66/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$55.54/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($27.77/hr base). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Aged Care Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Sunday 1.75x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Afternoon Shift 1.125x | Night Shift 1.15x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.77/hr | $41.66/hr | $48.60/hr | $69.43/hr | $31.24/hr | $31.94/hr | $41.66/hr | $55.54/hr |
| Level 2 | $28.87/hr | $43.31/hr | $50.52/hr | $72.18/hr | $32.48/hr | $33.20/hr | $43.31/hr | $57.74/hr |
| Level 3 | $29.98/hr | $44.97/hr | $52.47/hr | $74.95/hr | $33.73/hr | $34.48/hr | $44.97/hr | $59.96/hr |
| Level 4 | $30.34/hr | $45.51/hr | $53.10/hr | $75.85/hr | $34.13/hr | $34.89/hr | $45.51/hr | $60.68/hr |
| Level 5 | $31.36/hr | $47.04/hr | $54.88/hr | $78.40/hr | $35.28/hr | $36.06/hr | $47.04/hr | $62.72/hr |
| Level 6 | $33.05/hr | $49.57/hr | $57.84/hr | $82.63/hr | $37.18/hr | $38.01/hr | $49.57/hr | $66.10/hr |
| Level 7 | $33.65/hr | $50.47/hr | $58.89/hr | $84.13/hr | $37.86/hr | $38.70/hr | $50.47/hr | $67.30/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Award | $27.77/hr | $48.60/hr (1.75x) | $69.43/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $39.66/hr (1.5x) | $59.49/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $41.71/hr (1.5x) | $69.52/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $53.94/hr (2x) | $67.43/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $53.34/hr (2x) | $66.68/hr (2.5x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Aged Care Award?
The Aged Care Award (MA000018) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Afternoon Shift, Night Shift, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.125x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for aged care workers?
Under the Aged Care Award, permanent employees receive 1.75x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $27.77/hr, this means $48.60/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Aged Care Award?
Public holiday work under the Aged Care Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $69.43/hr.
Who is covered by the Aged Care Award?
The Aged Care Award covers employees in the aged care industry. Common job titles include Aged care worker, Personal care assistant, Care worker, Residential care worker, Aged care nurse, Activities officer.
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Just need today sorted? A Day Pass is 25 questions over 24 hours, no account. Get a Day Pass — $4.99
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Embed the Aged Care Award Penalty Rates on your site, free. Get the code →