Children's Services Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000018) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Children's Services Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Children's Services Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Sunday 2x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr |
| Level 2 | $24.88/hr | $37.32/hr | $49.76/hr | $62.20/hr | $37.32/hr | $49.76/hr |
| Level 3 | $26.18/hr | $39.27/hr | $52.36/hr | $65.45/hr | $39.27/hr | $52.36/hr |
| Level 4 | $28.18/hr | $42.27/hr | $56.36/hr | $70.45/hr | $42.27/hr | $56.36/hr |
| Level 5 | $30.07/hr | $45.11/hr | $60.14/hr | $75.18/hr | $45.11/hr | $60.14/hr |
| Level 6 | $32.15/hr | $48.22/hr | $64.30/hr | $80.38/hr | $48.22/hr | $64.30/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Services Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/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 Children's Services Award?
The Children's Services Award (MA000018) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.5x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for childcare workers?
Under the Children's Services Award, permanent employees receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $24.10/hr, this means $48.20/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Children's Services Award?
Public holiday work under the Children's Services Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/hr.
Who is covered by the Children's Services Award?
The Children's Services Award covers employees in the childcare industry. Common job titles include Childcare worker, Childcare educator, Early childhood teacher, Family day care worker, Centre director, Preschool teacher.
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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