Children's services employee level 1 — Introductory Educator pay rate 2026
Minimum rate for Children's services employee level 1 — Introductory Educator under the Children's Services Award (MA000120) from 1 July 2026: $1,094.80 a week full-time, $57,083 a year (weekly × 52.14). Casual: $36.01 an hour, loading included.
Rate table in the pay database: Children’s Services Employees (CSE).
Minimum pay rates
| Employment type | Hourly | Weekly | Annual (× 52.14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time | $28.81 | $1,094.80 | $57,083 |
| Casual (loading included) | $36.01 | — | — |
How this rate compares
It ranks 9th of 12 distinct adult hourly rates in the Children's Services Award.
The next rate up is Support worker level 3.1 — on commencement at $29.45 an hour, $0.64 (2.2%) higher than this classification.
The next rate down is Support worker level 2.2 — after 1 year at $27.82 an hour, $0.99 (3.4%) lower.
It is $2.37 an hour (9%) above the national minimum wage of $26.44.
What changed on 1 July 2026
The hourly rate rose $1.30 (4.7%) from $27.51 on 30 June 2026 to $28.81, and the full-time weekly rate rose $49.60.
Penalty rates
| When | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours | $28.81100% | $36.01125% |
| Saturday(shiftworkers, ordinary hours; day workers are paid Saturday work as overtime under 23.5(a)) | $43.22150% | — |
| Sunday(all time worked) | $57.62200% | — |
| Public holiday(all time worked) | $72.03250% | — |
The pay database sets no weekend or public holiday rows for this award. These rates apply the percentages in the Children's Services Award 2010 (clauses 23.5(b), 23.5(c), 23.5(d), 10.5(a)) to the minimum hourly rate, rounded to the cent. Every figure matches the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide. Clause 23.5 sets no separate casual rate for Saturday, Sunday or public holiday work, and the FWO pay guide publishes none, so no casual weekend or public holiday figure is shown.
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, MA000120, checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.