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Children’s Services Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Children’s Services Award 2010 [MA000120], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $23.97 an hour, or $29.96 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.97 | $29.96 |
| Support Worker - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24) | $23.97 | $29.96 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 | $24.95 | $31.19 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 2.1 | $25.71 | $32.14 |
| Support Worker - On commencement — Level 1.1 | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 2.2 | $26.56 | $33.20 |
| Support Worker - On commencement — Level 2.1 | $26.93 | $33.66 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 3A.1* | $27.68 | $34.60 |
| Support Worker - After 1 year — Level 2.2 | $27.82 | $34.78 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 3A.2* | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 3.1 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 3.2 | $29.09 | $36.36 |
| Support Worker - On commencement — Level 3.1 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 3.3 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 4A.1 | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 4A.2 | $30.42 | $38.03 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 4A.3 | $30.83 | $38.54 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 3 years — Level 4A.4 | $31.27 | $39.09 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 4 years — Level 4A.5 | $31.68 | $39.60 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 4.1 | $33.12 | $41.40 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 4.2 | $33.63 | $42.04 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 4.3 | $34.13 | $42.66 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 5A.1 | $34.63 | $43.29 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 5.1 | $34.63 | $43.29 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Level 6—Room Leader | $34.65 | $43.31 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 5.2 | $35.14 | $43.93 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 5A.2 | $35.14 | $43.93 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 5.3 | $35.63 | $44.54 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 5A.3 | $35.63 | $44.54 |
| Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 6A.1 | $39.94 | $49.93 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - On commencement — Level 6.1 | $39.94 | $49.93 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 1 year — Level 6A.2 | $40.44 | $50.55 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 1 year — Level 6.2 | $40.44 | $50.55 |
| Children’s Services Employee - After 2 years — Level 6A.3 | $40.93 | $51.16 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 2 years — Level 6.3 | $40.93 | $51.16 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - On commencement — Level 6.4 | $42.46 | $53.08 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 1 year — Level 6.5 | $42.85 | $53.56 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 2 years — Level 6.6 | $43.36 | $54.20 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - On commencement — Level 6.7 | $43.88 | $54.85 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 1 year — Level 6.8 | $44.38 | $55.48 |
| Children’s Services Employee—Director - After 2 years — Level 6.9 | $44.88 | $56.10 |
Children’s Services Employees (CSE)
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1—Introductory Educator | $28.81 | $36.01 |
| Level 2—Educator | $29.69 | $37.11 |
| Level 3—Qualified Educator | $32.47 | $40.59 |
| Level 4—Experienced Educator | $34.65 | $43.31 |
| Level 5—Advanced Educator | $36.57 | $45.71 |
| Level 6—Room Leader | $38.25 | $47.81 |
| Level 7—Assistant Director | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Level 8—Director | $46.12 | $57.65 |
Children’s services employees
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3.4 (Diploma) | $31.66 | $39.58 |
| Level 5.4** | $35.76 | $44.70 |
Standard rate of the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $38.43 | $48.04 |
Penalty rates and overtime
For adult day workers, as a percentage of the base rate unless shown otherwise. Dollar figures are per hour at Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24).
| When | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 200% · $47.94 | 200% of the casual rate · $59.92 |
| Public holiday | 250% · $59.93 | 250% of the casual rate · $74.90 |
| Overtime | 150% · $35.96 | 150% of the casual rate · $44.94 |
| Overtime, after the first hours | 200% · $47.94 | 200% of the casual rate · $59.92 |
Shiftworkers, juniors and apprentices can have different penalties, and some awards set more than one evening or night band (the lowest is shown). The award itself is the authority.
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Children’s Services Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Children’s Services Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24), is $23.97 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $29.96 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
What is the Sunday rate under the Children’s Services Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 200% of their base rate for work on a Sunday, which is $47.94 an hour at Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24). Casuals are paid $59.92 an hour at the same level.
What is the public holiday rate under the Children’s Services Award?
Full-time and part-time adult employees are paid 250% of their base rate for work on a public holiday, which is $59.93 an hour at Children’s Services Employee - On commencement — Level 1.1 (1Jul24-31Dec24). Casuals are paid $74.90 an hour at the same level.
When do Children’s Services Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 1 July 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Children’s Services Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.