What is the minimum wage for a child care worker in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the classification. Under the Children's Services Award, a Level 1.1 Support Worker must be paid at least $26.44 per hour (the same as the national minimum wage). A qualified Educator Level 2 must be paid at least $29.69 per hour. Junior workers and apprentices may be paid a percentage of the adult rate. Always check the award that covers your role.

How does the child care worker salary compare to the national minimum wage?

Most child care workers are covered by the Children's Services Award, which sets higher minimum rates than the national minimum wage. For example, a Level 2 Educator ($29.69/h) is $3.25 per hour above the national minimum of $26.44/h. However, some entry-level support workers start at the national minimum. The award also provides for casual loading (25%) and penalty rates.

Do child care workers receive superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund for eligible employees. This is on top of the hourly or weekly wage. For a child care worker earning $29.69 per hour, the employer also contributes about $3.56 per hour to super.

Child Care Worker Salary: Award Rates and the Legal Minimum in Australia

The minimum child care worker salary under the Children's Services Award ranges from $26.44 per hour for a Level 1.1 Support Worker to $46.12 per hour for a Level 8 Director, with most qualified educators earning at least $29.69 per hour.

Child Care Worker Salary: Know Your Pay Floor

When you search for a child care worker salary, the first thing to understand is which legal minimum applies. In Australia, most child care workers are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010 (MA000120), which sets minimum pay rates for roles from introductory educator to director. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, and the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces award obligations.

The Award Minimum Rates

The Children's Services Award, as updated from 1 July 2026, includes these key hourly rates:

Support Worker Level 1.1 (on commencement): $26.44 per hour (same as the national minimum)
Children's Services Employee Level 1 – Introductory Educator: $28.81 per hour
Level 2 – Educator: $29.69 per hour
Level 3 – Qualified Educator: $32.47 per hour
Level 4 – Experienced Educator: $34.65 per hour
Level 5 – Advanced Educator: $36.57 per hour
Level 6 – Room Leader: $38.25 per hour
Level 7 – Assistant Director: $40.00 per hour
Level 8 – Director: $46.12 per hour

These are the legal minimums. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of these rates (e.g., a casual Level 2 Educator gets $37.11 per hour).

Separating the Legal Minimum from Other Figures

A child care worker salary figure you see online may be an average from a survey, a median from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or a negotiated rate. The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week across all industries – but that is not a minimum. The only binding floors are:

The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week) for award-free employees.
The award minimum for each classification under the Children's Services Award.

If you are an award-covered child care worker, your pay cannot fall below the relevant classification rate. For a Level 2 Educator, that is $29.69 per hour.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

All minimum rates quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. The Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a super fund. For a full-time Level 2 Educator earning $1,128.40 per week, the employer also contributes about $135.41 per week to super. This is not deducted from your wage; it is an extra payment.

How to Check Your Rate

If you are a child care worker, start by identifying your classification in the award. Use the Rate tables to compare your hourly or weekly pay to the award minimum. If you are award-free (rare in this industry), the Which minimum wage applies guide can help. Remember that junior workers, apprentices, and trainees may be paid a percentage of the adult rate – for example, a 17-year-old Level 1 Introductory Educator gets 70% of the Level 2 rate, which is $20.78 per hour.

What If Your Pay Is Below the Minimum?

If you believe you are being paid less than the award rate, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice. Employers who underpay may face penalties. The award also includes provisions for allowances, overtime, and penalty rates that can increase your total pay.

Summary

The child care worker salary you should expect depends on your qualification and experience. The legal floor is clear: at least $26.44 per hour for the lowest support role, and higher for qualified educators. Always check the award or your enterprise agreement. Use the Guides section for more detailed breakdowns of allowances and penalty rates.