Childcare cook pay rates in Australia in 2026
From 1 March 2026, changes to the Children’s Services Award 2010 came into effect, directly impacting childcare cook pay rates. These updates have lifted wages across the sector, marking a noticeable increase from the 2025 childcare salary guidelines.
As part of the adjustment, a 5% increase in minimum award wages was introduced, with a further 5% increase scheduled for 30 June 2026.
In this blog, we detail:
Childcare cooks are paid under the Children’s Service Award 2010. They fall into two categories: children’s service employees (CSE) or support workers.
Childcare cooks are classed as CSEs if they meet three requirements:
- They are employed as a cook
- They are working towards or hold a qualification in Early Childhood Education and Care
- They may be required by the centre to work directly with children (in an educator role) to maintain educator-to-child ratios
If a person doesn’t meet these three requirements, they are classed as and paid as a support worker.
Pay rates for childcare cooks can also vary depending on employment type:
- Casual employees receive higher hourly pay to compensate for not getting annual or sick leave
- Permanent employees receive a lower hourly rate but benefit from paid annual leave, sick leave and greater job security
Children’s service employees (CSEs): casual workers
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Level 1 – Introductory educator
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Level 3 - Qualified educator
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Level 4 - Experienced educator
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Level 5 - Advanced educator
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Level 7 - Assistant director
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Children’s service employees (CSEs): permanent workers
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Level 1 – Introductory educator
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Level 3 - Qualified educator
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Level 4 - Experienced educator
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Level 5 - Advanced educator
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Level 7 - Assistant director
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As shown above, the revised award now includes eight levels, where each level corresponds to a different qualification level:
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Actively working towards qualification with less than 12 months’ experience
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Level 1 - Introductory Educator
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Actively working towards qualification with more than 12 months’ experience
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Level 3-Qualified Educator
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Level 4-Experienced Educator
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Level 5-Advanced Educator
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Levels 6-8 are experienced-based, following the completion of a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Support workers: casual employees
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Level 1.1 On commencement
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Level 2.1 On commencement
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Level 3.1 On commencement
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Support workers: permanent employees
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Level 1.1 On commencement
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Level 2.1 On commencement
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Level 3.1 On commencement
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A cook (or support worker) with a Cert III/IV in Commercial Cookery is classified as a Level 3.1. Those without are classed as unqualified cooks and start at Level 1.
For more information on what you could be earning as a childcare cook in 2026, head to the award for an in-depth breakdown of each level.
The award recognises the nature of childcare roles and offers additional allowances for instances where you may need to travel for work, work longer-than-expected hours and in some cases, receive meal allowances.
A summary of allowances included in this award for casual and permanent workers is below:
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Apprentice training fees and textbook costs reimbursement
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Reimbursement of training fees for prescribed courses and the cost of prescribed textbooks
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Apprentice travel to block release training reimbursement
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Reimbursement for the excess reasonable travel costs incurred in the course of travelling to and from the training
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$20.42 for each day on which a broken shift is worked
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Excess fares allowance - working away from usual workplace
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First aid allowance - Level 1 or Level 2 classification not employed in out-of-school hours care
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First aid allowance - Level 1 or Level 2 classification employed in out-of-school hours care
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Laundry & ironing allowance - full-time employees
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Laundry & ironing allowance - part-time or casual employees
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$1.90 per day up to a maximum of $9.49 per week
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Laundry allowance (no ironing) - full-time employees
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Laundry allowance (no ironing) - part-time or casual employees
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$1.20 per day up to a maximum of $5.98 per week
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Protective clothing and equipment reimbursement
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Reimbursement for the reasonable costs of the protective clothing and equipment incurred
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Special clothing reimbursement
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Reimbursement for the cost of purchasing the special clothing
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Educational leader allowance - 5 days or more per week
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Educational leader allowance - 4 days per week
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Educational leader allowance - 3 days per week
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Educational leader allowance - 2 days per week
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Educational leader allowance - 1 day per week
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Vehicle allowance - motor car
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Vehicle allowance - motorcycle
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At Pulse, we are hiring dedicated and passionate childcare cooks for childcare centres across Sydney. If you are looking for a childcare cook role, we look for:
- Relevant kitchen experience: experience cooking in childcare centres, schools, aged care or large kitchens where you prepared meals for groups.
- An understanding of the nutrition guidelines for children: you must be familiar with the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) guidelines and the National Quality Framework requirements around healthy, balanced meals for children.
- The right certifications: we require a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC), a relevant qualification (Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery) and sometimes a Food Handling certificate.
- Knowledge of dietary needs: childcare centres often cater for allergies, intolerances and cultural dietary requirements.
- A strong resume: with examples of menu planning, food preparation, kitchen organisation and maintaining hygiene and safety standards.
- Strong food safety practice knowledge: knowledge of Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidelines and safe food handling procedures.
- Flexibility with availability: centres often need cooks for both short-term cover and ongoing roles.
- Great communication with staff and children: childcare cooks often interact with educators and children, so showing a friendly, collaborative attitude is important.
Register with Pulse as a childcare cook today
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Apply for our vacancies on our jobs board or
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