Children’s Services Award pay rates 2026 (Australia)

Employers in the children’s services and early childhood education industry throughout Australia (long day care, family day care, preschools and kindergartens, out-of-school hours care) and their employees in the classifications of Schedule B (clause 4.1).

No. Teachers are covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. This award covers educators, room leaders, directors and support workers.

From 1 March 2026 educators are classified in 8 levels, from Level 1—Introductory Educator to Level 8—Director; employees classified on 28 February 2026 were translated to the new levels (clause 14.1 and Schedule I).

No. Employees translated from certain previous levels keep the higher of the new rate and their previous rate (clause I.4).

They are classified as Level 6—Room Leader and paid $1316.70 per week until the first full pay period on or after 30 June 2027 (clause I.3).

In the consolidated award published by the Fair Work Commission (MA000120); the Fair Work Ombudsman also publishes pay guides.

No. Award rates are minimums. An enterprise agreement or an employment contract can pay more, never less.

The weekly rate of a Level 3—Qualified Educator: $1233.90 (clause 3).

Yes. Unless it is unreasonable, an employee may refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from the employer outside working hours (clause 21A and section 333M of the Fair Work Act).

$1094.80 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $28.81 per hour. This level applies to an employee who less than 12 months’ experience working directly with children (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1128.40 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $29.69 per hour. This level applies to an employee who at least 12 months’ experience working directly with children (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1233.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $32.47 per hour. This level applies to an employee who holds an approved Certificate III in early childhood education and care (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1316.70 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $34.65 per hour. This level applies to an employee who Certificate III plus four years’ post-qualification experience at Level 3 (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1389.50 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $36.57 per hour. This level applies to an employee who holds a Diploma-level early childhood qualification (or approved OSHC equivalent) (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1453.50 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $38.25 per hour. This level applies to an employee who appointed as a Room Leader, or in out-of-school hours care to assist a Level 7 or 8 employee (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1519.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $40.00 per hour. This level applies to an employee who appointed as Assistant Director, children’s services or family day care coordinator, with an AQF Level 5 or 6 qualification (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

$1752.70 per week for a full-time employee (38 hours) or $46.12 per hour. This level applies to an employee who appointed as Director of a service, with a relevant degree or other qualification (clause 14.1 and Schedule B).

Cooks who must hold or be working towards an early childhood qualification and may be counted in educator-to-child ratios are paid the educator rate that matches their qualification: Level 1 or 2 while studying, Level 3 with Certificate III, Level 4 with Certificate IV and Level 5 with a Diploma (clause 14.1(c)).

$1004.90 per week or $26.44 per hour (clause 14.2). Support workers do kitchen, laundry, cleaning, gardening, driving, non-trade maintenance or administrative work.

$1023.40 per week or $26.93 per hour (clause 14.2). Support workers do kitchen, laundry, cleaning, gardening, driving, non-trade maintenance or administrative work.

$1057.00 per week or $27.82 per hour (clause 14.2). Support workers do kitchen, laundry, cleaning, gardening, driving, non-trade maintenance or administrative work.

$1119.10 per week or $29.45 per hour (clause 14.2). Support workers do kitchen, laundry, cleaning, gardening, driving, non-trade maintenance or administrative work.

After 12 months, or earlier if performing Level 2 duties (Schedule B.2.1).

25 % on top of the full-time hourly rate for each ordinary hour worked (clause 10.5(a)).

Only for temporary and relief purposes (clause 10.5(b)).

2 hours’ pay for each engagement (clause 10.5(c)).

For work over 8 hours in a day or shift or over 38 hours in a week (clause 10.5(e)).

$36.01 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $28.81 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$37.11 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $29.69 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$40.59 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $32.47 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$43.31 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $34.65 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$45.71 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $36.57 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$47.81 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $38.25 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$50.00 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $40.00 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

$57.65 per hour: the minimum hourly rate of $46.12 plus the 25 % casual loading, with at least 2 hours’ pay per engagement (clause 10.5).

In writing: the hours each day, the days of the week and the start and finish times; changes need written agreement or, for the days worked, 7 days’ notice (clause 10.4).

2 consecutive hours (clause 10.4(e)).

Agreed extra hours are paid at ordinary time up to 8 hours a day if worked within the service’s ordinary operating hours; beyond that, overtime applies (clause 10.4(f)).

An average of 38 hours a week over a 1, 2 or 4-week cycle, in periods of up to 8 hours, Monday to Friday between 6.00 am and 6.30 pm (clauses 21.1 to 21.3).

12 hours a day (clause 21.3).

At least 2 hours a week for an employee responsible for programming for children, and another 2 hours for the Educational Leader (4 hours if both apply) (clause 21.5).

7 days; without that notice, overtime is paid until 7 days have passed, except in a genuine emergency. A parent arriving late is not an emergency (clause 21.7).

Yes, as term-time employees; non-engaged weeks still count as service for leave and increments (clause 21.9).

You cannot be required to work more than 5 hours without an unpaid meal break of 30 to 60 minutes; if you must stay on the premises, you get a paid break of 20 to 30 minutes instead (clause 22.1).

A paid 10-minute rest period when working 4 hours or more, and two when working 7 hours or more (clause 22.2).

10 hours (or 8 hours by agreement); otherwise overtime rates apply until you get it (clause 22.3).

Full-time and part-time: 150 % for the first 2 hours and 200 % after. Casuals: 175 % and 225 % (clause 23.2).

As overtime: time and a half for the first 2 hours and double time after, with a minimum of 4 hours’ pay (clauses 23.5(a) and 23.5(e)).

Early morning 10 %, afternoon 15 %, rotating night 17.5 % and non-rotating night 30 % (clause 23.4).

In a genuine and pressing emergency, up to one hour after normal finishing time is paid at the ordinary rate (clause 23.2(c)).

Yes, by written agreement, hour for hour, within 6 months, or paid out on request (clause 23.3).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $57.62 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $72.02 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $59.38 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $74.23 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $64.94 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $81.18 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $69.30 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $86.63 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $73.14 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $91.43 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $76.50 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $95.63 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $80.00 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $100.00 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Sunday is paid at double time (about $92.24 per hour) and public holidays at double time and a half (about $115.30 per hour), with a minimum payment of 4 hours (clause 23.5).

Yes, $4,784.28 a year for the employee who is the educational leader under Regulation 118, pro rata if fewer than 5 days a week (clause 15.7).

1.733 % of the standard rate per day, about $21.38 (clause 15.1).

$9.74 a week or $1.95 a day, or $6.14 a week or $1.23 a day if the uniform does not need ironing (clause 15.2).

For employees below Level 3 required to administer first aid, 1.025 % of the standard rate per day (about $12.65) (clause 15.4).

$16.12 (or a meal) for more than 2 hours of overtime without notice the previous day (clause 15.5).

$1.01 per kilometre for a car and $0.34 for a motorcycle (clause 15.6).

Juniors at Levels 3, 4 and 5 get the adult rate. At Levels 1 and 2 they get at least 70 % (under 17), 80 % (under 18) or 90 % (under 19) of the Level 2—Educator rate (clause 14.3).

At least 80 % of the Level 2 rate: about $23.75 per hour (clause 14.3).

4 weeks of paid annual leave a year for full-time employees and pro rata for part-time employees (section 87 of the Fair Work Act and clause 24).

Full-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave a year and part-time employees a pro rata amount (section 96 of the Fair Work Act).

From 1 week (up to 1 year of service) to 4 weeks (more than 5 years), plus 1 week if the employee is over 45 with at least 2 years of service (clause 11 and section 117 of the Fair Work Act).