Children's Services Award pay rates 2026
Minimum rates for the Children's Services Award (MA000120) from 1 July 2026: 13 classifications on 12 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page lists the minimum pay rates under the Children's Services Award, set out by classification. For each role you can see the base hourly and weekly minimum, the casual rate, and the penalty and overtime rates that apply to this work.
The Children's Services Award covers long day care centres, preschools and kindergartens, out-of-school-hours and vacation care, and other early childhood education and care services. It applies to the educators and support staff who care for and teach young children: educational assistants, qualified and experienced educators, room leaders, and the assistant directors and directors who run a service. The classifications follow a structure based on qualifications and responsibility, from introductory educators starting out through to advanced educators and centre directors. School teachers and staff employed in schools are generally covered by education awards rather than this one.
Pay rates by classification
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Children's Services Award run from $26.44 an hour (Support worker level 1.1 — on commencement) to $46.12 (Children's services employee level 8 — Director), a spread of $19.68 an hour or 74.4%, $747.80 a week full-time.
The award’s 13 classifications in this dataset share 12 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Support worker level 1.1 — on commencement is paid $33.05 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Support worker level 1.1 — on commencement:
The hourly rate rose $1.49 (6%) from $24.95 on 30 June 2026 to $26.44, and the full-time weekly rate rose $56.90.
Penalty rates
| Day | Children's services | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 150% | 2 of 19 |
| Sunday | 200% | 187.5% | 1 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% | 1 of 22 |
The Sunday rate of 200% is higher than the median of 187.5% across the 20 awards with a Sunday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 1st.
Every Children's Services Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Industry Award | Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $27.81 | 150% |
| Aged Care Award | Aged care employee — general — level 1 | $27.77 | 175% |
| Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award | Home care employee level 1 — disability care — pay point 1 | $27.28 | 200% |
| Health Professionals and Support Services Award | Support services employee level 1 | $26.97 | 150% |
| Nurses Award | Student enrolled nurse — 21 years of age and over | $26.97 | 175% |
The Children's Services Award entry rate is $1.37 an hour lower than the Pharmacy Industry Award entry rate of $27.81.
The Children's Services Award entry rate is $1.33 an hour lower than the Aged Care Award entry rate of $27.77.
The Children's Services Award entry rate is $0.84 an hour lower than the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award entry rate of $27.28.
Allowances
The pay database lists 4 wage-related allowances and 8 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken shift allowance | $21.38 | per day | no |
| First aid allowance | $12.65 | per day | no |
| First aid allowance—out-of-school-hours care | $1.68 | per hour | no |
| Educational leader allowance | $4,784.28 | per annum | no |
| Clothing and equipment allowance: — laundry—per week | $9.74 | per week | no |
| Clothing and equipment allowance: — laundry—per day | $1.95 | per day | no |
| Clothing and equipment allowance: — laundry—no ironing required—per week | $6.14 | per week | no |
| Clothing and equipment allowance: — laundry—no ironing required—per day | $1.23 | per day | no |
| Excess fares allowance | $17.22 | per day | no |
| Meal—overtime for more than 2 hours without prescribed notice | $16.12 | per occasion | no |
| Use of vehicle allowance: — motor vehicle | $1.01 | per km | no |
| Use of vehicle allowance: — motorcycle | $0.34 | per km | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Children’s Services Award 2010 (MA000120), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.