Home Care Worker Evening Pay Rate 2026
How much does a home care worker earn on evening? 1.12x penalty rate under the Home Care Award 2024.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Quick Answer
A home care worker working on evening earns $28.76/hr (12% above the base rate of $25.68/hr).
Based on the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100), Level 1 adult rate, effective 1 July 2025.
Base Rate vs Evening Penalty Rate
Weekday Base Rate
$25.68/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Evening Penalty Rate
$28.76/hr
1.12x (+12%)
Casual Evening Rate
Casual home care workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($32.10/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the evening penalty rate of 1.12x.
How the Penalty Rate Is Calculated
Start with the base hourly rate: $25.68/hr
Multiply by the evening penalty rate: 1.12x
$25.68 x 1.12 = $28.76/hr
What the Award Says About Evening Work
Under the Home Care Award 2024, employees working evening hours receive 1.12x their base rate. Evening hours are generally defined as work performed between 7pm and midnight, though exact times vary by award. Evening penalties apply in addition to any applicable weekend or public holiday rates in some awards, but in others, only the higher rate applies.
Source: Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100). Rates effective from 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
Weekly Earnings Example
If you work 8 hours on evening, you earn $230.09 instead of $205.44 on a weekday — that's $24.65 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$205.44
Evening (8hrs)
$230.09
Extra Earned
+$24.65
All Penalty Rates for Home Care Workers
| Day / Time | Multiplier | Full-Time Rate | Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (base) | 1.0x | $25.68/hr | $32.10/hr |
| Saturday | 1.5x | $38.52/hr | $48.15/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $51.36/hr | $64.20/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $64.20/hr | $80.25/hr |
| Christmas Day | 2.5x | $64.20/hr | $80.25/hr |
| Evening | 1.12x | $28.76/hr | $35.95/hr |
| Early Morning | 1.12x | $28.76/hr | $35.95/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 home care worker earn on evening?
A home care worker working on evening earns $28.76 per hour under the Home Care Award 2024. This is 1.12x the base rate of $25.68/hr, which is 12% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual home care workers earn $35.95/hr (1.12x their casual rate of $32.10/hr).
What is the evening penalty rate for home care workers?
The evening penalty rate for home care workers is 1.12x the base hourly rate under the Home Care Award 2024 (MA000100). For a Level 1 home care worker, this means $28.76/hr instead of $25.68/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Do casuals get penalty rates on evening?
Yes. Casual home care workers receive penalty rates on evening. The 1.12x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $32.10/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $35.95/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Can my employer make me work on evening?
Your employer can roster you to work on evening as part of your ordinary hours or as overtime, provided it aligns with the Home Care Award 2024 and your employment contract. However, you must be paid the correct penalty rate of 1.12x your base rate ($28.76/hr). If you believe your roster is unreasonable, you can raise this with your employer or contact Fair Work.
Other Evening Penalty Rates
Home Care Worker — Other Penalty 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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