Aged Care Worker Sunday Pay Rate 2026
How much does a aged care worker earn on sunday? 1.75x penalty rate under the Aged Care Award 2010.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Quick Answer
A aged care worker working on sunday earns $44.47/hr (75% above the base rate of $25.41/hr).
Based on the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000076), Level 1 adult rate, effective 1 July 2025.
Base Rate vs Sunday Penalty Rate
Weekday Base Rate
$25.41/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Sunday Penalty Rate
$44.47/hr
1.75x (+75%)
Casual Sunday Rate
Casual aged care workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($31.76/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the sunday penalty rate of 1.75x.
How the Penalty Rate Is Calculated
Start with the base hourly rate: $25.41/hr
Multiply by the sunday penalty rate: 1.75x
$25.41 x 1.75 = $44.47/hr
What the Award Says About Sunday Work
Under the Aged Care Award 2010, full-time and part-time employees working on a Sunday are entitled to 1.75x their base rate. Sunday rates are typically higher than Saturday rates to reflect the greater disruption to personal and family time. Employers cannot avoid paying Sunday rates by averaging hours across the week.
Source: Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000076). Rates effective from 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
Weekly Earnings Example
If you work 8 hours on sunday, you earn $355.74 instead of $203.28 on a weekday — that's $152.46 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$203.28
Sunday (8hrs)
$355.74
Extra Earned
+$152.46
All Penalty Rates for Aged Care Workers
| Day / Time | Multiplier | Full-Time Rate | Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (base) | 1.0x | $25.41/hr | $31.76/hr |
| Saturday | 1.5x | $38.12/hr | $47.64/hr |
| Sunday | 1.75x | $44.47/hr | $55.58/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $63.53/hr | $79.40/hr |
| Christmas Day | 2.5x | $63.53/hr | $79.40/hr |
| Evening | 1.15x | $29.22/hr | $36.52/hr |
| Early Morning | 1.15x | $29.22/hr | $36.52/hr |
Am I Getting the Right Penalty Rate?
Use our Penalty Rate Calculator to check your exact rate based on your award, classification level, and employment type.
Open Penalty Rate CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a aged care worker earn on sunday?
A aged care worker working on sunday earns $44.47 per hour under the Aged Care Award 2010. This is 1.75x the base rate of $25.41/hr, which is 75% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual aged care workers earn $55.58/hr (1.75x their casual rate of $31.76/hr).
What is the sunday penalty rate for aged care workers?
The sunday penalty rate for aged care workers is 1.75x the base hourly rate under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000076). For a Level 1 aged care worker, this means $44.47/hr instead of $25.41/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Do casuals get penalty rates on sunday?
Yes. Casual aged care workers receive penalty rates on sunday. The 1.75x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $31.76/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $55.58/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Can my employer make me work on sunday?
Your employer can roster you to work on sunday as part of your ordinary hours or as overtime, provided it aligns with the Aged Care Award 2010 and your employment contract. However, you must be paid the correct penalty rate of 1.75x your base rate ($44.47/hr). If you believe your roster is unreasonable, you can raise this with your employer or contact Fair Work.
Other Sunday Penalty Rates
Aged Care Worker — Other Penalty Rates
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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