Childcare pay rates 2026

In response to a long-standing gender-based undervaluation of the sector, minimum pay rates for childcare workers covered by the Children’s Service Award 2010 increased in March 2026, with a further rise scheduled for 30 June 2026.

These childcare pay rate increases also coincide with the introduction of a new tiered system, replacing the previous pay structure. The new system includes eight levels designed to set minimum weekly and hourly pay rates based on a worker’s qualifications and experience.

Within this blog, we detail:

• Childcare worker roles affected by the pay increase
• Casual childcare worker pay rates
• Permanent childcare worker pay rates
• Ways to increase your childcare salary
• How to find the right childcare role for you

Roles receiving the increased childcare pay rates

Childcare workers who are classified as children’s service employees (CSEs), including those working directly with children and those in indirect roles, are paid according to the Children’s Service Award's new eight-level classification.

Roles covered within these eight levels include:

• Childcare assistants and trainees
• Children’s service employees
• Out of school hours (OOSH) educators
• Early childhood educators who hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Early childhood educators who hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Room leaders
• Assistant directors
• Centre directors

The table below outlines how recognised childcare qualifications correspond to the new CSE classification levels:

ECEC qualification	CSE classification
Actively working towards qualification with less than 12 months’ experience	Level 1 - Introductory Educator
Actively working towards qualification with more than 12 months’ experience	Level 2 - Educator
Certificate III	Level 3 - Qualified Educator
Certificate IV	Level 4 - Experienced Educator
Diploma	Level 5 - Advanced Educator
Diploma	Level 6 – Room leader
Diploma	Level 7 – Assistant director
Diploma	Level 8 – Director

Indirect childcare workers, such as childcare cooks, administrative roles, cleaners, gardeners and bus drivers, are paid as support workers and were not included in the recent pay increase. Childcare cooks, when classified as CSEs and working in this role, with be paid in accordance with Level 1-8 classifications.

Casual childcare pay rates

Casual CSE pay rates

The revised casual pay rates for roles covered under the Children’s Service Award are listed below. These rates apply to educators classified within Levels 1–8 of the new CSE structure.

Classification	Minimum hourly pay rate
Level 1 - Introductory educator	$32.74
Level 2 - Educator	$33.75
Level 3 - Qualified educator	$36.90
Level 4 - Experienced educator	$39.38
Level 5 - Advanced educator	$41.55
Level 6 - Room leader	$43.48
Level 7 - Assistant director	$45.46
Level 8 - Director	$52.41

Note: Hourly rates can increase depending on your rostered hours. Shifts worked at night or across a mix of day and night periods may attract higher loadings.

Casual support worker pay rates

Support workers that are paid on a casual basis will receive the rates below, depending on classification and experience:

Classification	Minimum hourly pay rate
Level1.1 on commencement	$31.19
Level2.1 on commencement	$32.14
Level 2.2 after 1 year	$33.20
Level 3.1 on commencement	$35.15

Note: Level 3 employees are those with a relevant qualification to their role, i.e. a childcare cook with a Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery. Support workers with experience but no formal qualification are paid between Levels 1.1. and 2.1.

Permanent childcare pay rates

Permanent CSE pay rates

Children’s service employees working in permanent roles are now eligible for the following minimum hourly pay rates:

Classification	Minimum hourly pay rate
Level 1 - Introductory educator	$26.19
Level 2 - Educator	$27.00
Level 3 - Qualified educator	$29.52
Level 4 - Experienced educator	$31.50
Level 5 - Advanced educator	$33.24
Level 6 - Room leader	$34.78
Level 7 - Assistant director	$36.37
Level 8 - Director	$41.93

Permanent support workers are paid according to the following minimum hourly rates:

Classification	Minimum hourly pay rate
Level1.1 on commencement	$24.95
Level2.1 on commencement	$25.71
Level 2.2 after 1 year	$26.56
Level 3.1 on commencement	$28.12

The award has also set out updated rates for apprentices, under-16s and 17-18 year old childcare workers.

How to increase your childcare salary

Within the Children’s Service Award, a range of additional allowances may apply to your role. These allowances act as top-ups to your base pay, meaning you can earn more for your work. Examples of allowances include:

Clothing and equipment allowance

If your employer requests you wear specific clothing, they must reimburse you for the cost if they do not provide the items. This includes protective clothing such as hats, sunscreen, goggles, aprons and gloves.

First aid allowance

If you are employed below Level 3 and are required to administer first aid as part of your role, and you hold a current recognised first aid qualification, there is a first aid allowance of 1.088% of the standard rate per day. If you are employed in out-of-school hours care, the allowance is 0.14% of the standard rate per hour.

Meal allowance

If you are required to work more than two hours of overtime without being notified on the previous day or earlier, your employer must provide either:

• a meal, or
• an allowance of $15.48

If you can return home during your break, no meal or allowance will be provided. There are additional allowances set out in the award that may also apply to you. It’s worth reviewing the full list to ensure you’re receiving everything you’re entitled to. Read more on what could be relevant to your role.

Looking for longer-term solutions to increase your childcare pay rate?

Here are some practical ways to maximise your childcare salary:

• Gain additional qualifications: upskilling can significantly increase your earning potential. Completing further studies, such as a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Care, can open the door to higher-paying roles like room leader or centre director.
• Work across various centres: casual educators who are flexible and willing to work across multiple centres can often access more shifts and higher hourly rates, especially in areas experiencing staff shortages.
• Build valuable skills: developing expertise in areas like inclusive education, behaviour support, sustainability programs or language development can make you a more valuable team member and strengthen your case for pay rises.
• Join an agency for casual work: Working casually through a childcare staffing agency such as Pulse Child Care Crew can often provide higher hourly rates, flexible shifts and access to multiple centres.
• Maintain compliance and professional development: keeping certifications like First Aid, CPR, Child Protection training and WWCC up to date and regularly completing professional development can help you stay competitive and qualify for better opportunities.

Finding the right childcare role for you

If you are looking for your dream childcare role, then you have come to the right place. We are experts in matching childcare workers to jobs that align with their needs, values and preferences.

Head to our jobs board to apply for our vacancies or get in touch with our team today.