Aged care employee — direct care — level 4 — Senior pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Aged care employee — direct care — level 4 — Senior under the Aged Care Award (MA000018) from 1 July 2026: $1,431.80 a week full-time, $74,654 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $47.10 an hour, loading included.
Rate table in the pay database: Aged care employee—direct care.
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $37.68 | $1,431.80 | $74,654 |
| Casual (loading included) | $47.10 | — | — |
Hourly is the weekly rate ÷ 38.
How this rate compares
It ranks 3rd of 13 distinct adult hourly rates in the Aged Care Award.
The next rate up is Aged care employee — direct care — level 5 — Specialist at $39.13 an hour, $1.45 (3.8%) higher than this classification.
The next rate down is Aged care employee — general — level 7 (most senior food services employee) at $37.57 an hour, $0.11 (0.3%) lower.
It is $11.24 an hour (42.5%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44. That is more than a quarter above the legal floor for adult employees.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The hourly rate rose $1.71 (4.8%) from $35.97 on 30 June 2026 to $37.68, and the full-time weekly rate rose $64.90.
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | $37.68100% | $47.10125% |
| Saturday(ordinary hours, midnight Friday to midnight Saturday) | $56.52150% | $65.94175% |
| Sunday(ordinary hours, midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday) | $65.94175% | $75.36200% |
| Public holiday(ordinary pay plus an additional 150%) | $94.20250% | $103.62275% |
The pay database sets no weekend or public holiday rows for this award. These rates apply the percentages in the Aged Care Award 2010 (clauses 23.1, 29.2(a), 29.2(b), 10.4(b), 23.2(a), 23.2(b), 29.2(c)(i)) to the minimum hourly rate, rounded to the cent. Every figure matches the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.
A week with weekend shifts
| Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weekday hours | $47.10 | $188.40 |
| 8 Saturday hours | $65.94 | $527.52 |
| 8 Sunday hours | $75.36 | $602.88 |
| Total | $1,318.80 |
That week pays $1,318.80, which is $376.80 (40%) more than the same 20 hours worked on weekdays at the casual rate ($942.00). A full-time week of 38 ordinary hours pays $1,431.80.
All-purpose allowances
The Aged Care Award sets 4 all-purpose allowances, paid on top of the minimum where they apply to the job and counted in penalty rates, overtime and leave: see the allowance table.
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, MA000018, checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.