Aged Care Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Aged Care Award 2010. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 10.4(b)).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General — level 1 | $1,055.40 | $27.77 | $34.71 |
| General — level 2 | $1,097.20 | $28.87 | $36.09 |
| General — level 3 | $1,139.40 | $29.98 | $37.48 |
| General — level 4 | $1,152.80 | $30.34 | $37.93 |
| General — level 5 | $1,191.80 | $31.36 | $39.20 |
| General — level 6 | $1,256.00 | $33.05 | $41.31 |
| General — level 7 | $1,278.60 | $33.65 | $42.06 |
| General — level 4 (most senior food services employee) | $1,287.00 | $33.87 | $42.34 |
| General — level 5 (most senior food services employee) | $1,330.70 | $35.02 | $43.78 |
| General — level 6 (most senior food services employee) | $1,402.50 | $36.91 | $46.14 |
| General — level 7 (most senior food services employee) | $1,427.50 | $37.57 | $46.96 |
| Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) | $1,239.00 | $32.61 | $40.76 |
| Direct care — level 2 (Direct Carer) | $1,307.80 | $34.42 | $43.03 |
| Direct care — level 3 (Qualified) | $1,376.70 | $36.23 | $45.29 |
| Direct care — level 4 (Senior) | $1,431.80 | $37.68 | $47.10 |
| Direct care — level 5 (Specialist) | $1,486.80 | $39.13 | $48.91 |
| Direct care — level 6 (Team Leader) | $1,541.90 | $40.58 | $50.73 |
The Aged Care Award sets weekly rates only. A casual is paid 1/38th of the weekly rate for each hour plus the loading (cl 10.4(b)), and shift allowances use the weekly rate divided by 38 (cl 26.3), so the hourly figures here are that division rounded to the cent — the same figures as the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide.
Which level am I?
- Direct care: An employee whose primary responsibility is personal care of residents under the supervision of a registered or enrolled nurse, or recreational and lifestyle activities — personal care workers, assistants in nursing and lifestyle staff (cl 3.1). Levels run from Introductory through Direct Carer, Qualified, Senior and Specialist to Team Leader (Schedule B).
- General: Everyone else in a residential aged care facility — administration, cleaning, laundry, food services, gardening and maintenance — on general levels 1 to 7 (cl 14.1).
- Most senior food services employee: The single most senior food services employee at a facility, classified at general levels 4 to 7, is paid the higher clause 14.2 rate.
- Who is not covered: Registered and enrolled nurses are paid under the Nurses Award, and home care workers under the SCHADS Award.
The work value increases are finished — these rates include them
The aged care work value case lifted direct care rates from 1 January 2025, with a second step on 1 October 2025 for the larger increases, and general staff by 3% from 1 January 2025. The 1 July 2026 Annual Wage Review then applied on top. There is no further scheduled increase for Aged Care Award employees; the 1 August 2026 rise was for nurses under the Nurses Award. The award sets weekly rates only, so the hourly figures here are the weekly rate divided by 38.
Aged Care Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Mon–Fri day100% | Afternoon (starts 10am–1pm)110% | Afternoon (starts 1pm–4pm)112.5% | Night (starts 4pm–4am)115% | Night (starts 4am–6am)110% | Saturday150% | Sunday175% | Public holiday250% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General — level 1 | $27.77 | $30.55 | $31.24 | $31.94 | $30.55 | $41.66 | $48.60 | $69.43 |
| General — level 2 | $28.87 | $31.76 | $32.48 | $33.20 | $31.76 | $43.31 | $50.52 | $72.18 |
| General — level 3 | $29.98 | $32.98 | $33.73 | $34.48 | $32.98 | $44.97 | $52.47 | $74.95 |
| General — level 4 | $30.34 | $33.37 | $34.13 | $34.89 | $33.37 | $45.51 | $53.10 | $75.85 |
| General — level 5 | $31.36 | $34.50 | $35.28 | $36.06 | $34.50 | $47.04 | $54.88 | $78.40 |
| General — level 6 | $33.05 | $36.36 | $37.18 | $38.01 | $36.36 | $49.58 | $57.84 | $82.63 |
| General — level 7 | $33.65 | $37.02 | $37.86 | $38.70 | $37.02 | $50.48 | $58.89 | $84.13 |
| General — level 4 (most senior food services employee) | $33.87 | $37.26 | $38.10 | $38.95 | $37.26 | $50.81 | $59.27 | $84.68 |
| General — level 5 (most senior food services employee) | $35.02 | $38.52 | $39.40 | $40.27 | $38.52 | $52.53 | $61.29 | $87.55 |
| General — level 6 (most senior food services employee) | $36.91 | $40.60 | $41.52 | $42.45 | $40.60 | $55.37 | $64.59 | $92.28 |
| General — level 7 (most senior food services employee) | $37.57 | $41.33 | $42.27 | $43.21 | $41.33 | $56.36 | $65.75 | $93.93 |
| Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) | $32.61 | $35.87 | $36.69 | $37.50 | $35.87 | $48.92 | $57.07 | $81.53 |
| Direct care — level 2 (Direct Carer) | $34.42 | $37.86 | $38.72 | $39.58 | $37.86 | $51.63 | $60.24 | $86.05 |
| Direct care — level 3 (Qualified) | $36.23 | $39.85 | $40.76 | $41.66 | $39.85 | $54.35 | $63.40 | $90.58 |
| Direct care — level 4 (Senior) | $37.68 | $41.45 | $42.39 | $43.33 | $41.45 | $56.52 | $65.94 | $94.20 |
| Direct care — level 5 (Specialist) | $39.13 | $43.04 | $44.02 | $45.00 | $43.04 | $58.70 | $68.48 | $97.83 |
| Direct care — level 6 (Team Leader) | $40.58 | $44.64 | $45.65 | $46.67 | $44.64 | $60.87 | $71.02 | $101.45 |
Casual
| Classification | Mon–Fri day125% | Afternoon (starts 10am–1pm)135% | Afternoon (starts 1pm–4pm)137.5% | Night (starts 4pm–4am)140% | Night (starts 4am–6am)135% | Saturday175% | Sunday200% | Public holiday275% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General — level 1 | $34.71 | $37.49 | $38.18 | $38.88 | $37.49 | $48.60 | $55.54 | $76.37 |
| General — level 2 | $36.09 | $38.97 | $39.70 | $40.42 | $38.97 | $50.52 | $57.74 | $79.39 |
| General — level 3 | $37.48 | $40.47 | $41.22 | $41.97 | $40.47 | $52.47 | $59.96 | $82.45 |
| General — level 4 | $37.93 | $40.96 | $41.72 | $42.48 | $40.96 | $53.10 | $60.68 | $83.44 |
| General — level 5 | $39.20 | $42.34 | $43.12 | $43.90 | $42.34 | $54.88 | $62.72 | $86.24 |
| General — level 6 | $41.31 | $44.62 | $45.44 | $46.27 | $44.62 | $57.84 | $66.10 | $90.89 |
| General — level 7 | $42.06 | $45.43 | $46.27 | $47.11 | $45.43 | $58.89 | $67.30 | $92.54 |
| General — level 4 (most senior food services employee) | $42.34 | $45.72 | $46.57 | $47.42 | $45.72 | $59.27 | $67.74 | $93.14 |
| General — level 5 (most senior food services employee) | $43.78 | $47.28 | $48.15 | $49.03 | $47.28 | $61.29 | $70.04 | $96.31 |
| General — level 6 (most senior food services employee) | $46.14 | $49.83 | $50.75 | $51.67 | $49.83 | $64.59 | $73.82 | $101.50 |
| General — level 7 (most senior food services employee) | $46.96 | $50.72 | $51.66 | $52.60 | $50.72 | $65.75 | $75.14 | $103.32 |
| Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) | $40.76 | $44.02 | $44.84 | $45.65 | $44.02 | $57.07 | $65.22 | $89.68 |
| Direct care — level 2 (Direct Carer) | $43.03 | $46.47 | $47.33 | $48.19 | $46.47 | $60.24 | $68.84 | $94.66 |
| Direct care — level 3 (Qualified) | $45.29 | $48.91 | $49.82 | $50.72 | $48.91 | $63.40 | $72.46 | $99.63 |
| Direct care — level 4 (Senior) | $47.10 | $50.87 | $51.81 | $52.75 | $50.87 | $65.94 | $75.36 | $103.62 |
| Direct care — level 5 (Specialist) | $48.91 | $52.83 | $53.80 | $54.78 | $52.83 | $68.48 | $78.26 | $107.61 |
| Direct care — level 6 (Team Leader) | $50.73 | $54.78 | $55.80 | $56.81 | $54.78 | $71.02 | $81.16 | $111.60 |
Casual figures are the award's casual percentages, which already include the 25% loading where it applies. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Aged Care Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon shift starting 10.00 am and before 1.00 pm | 110% | $35.87 | 135% | $44.02 |
| Afternoon shift starting 1.00 pm and before 4.00 pm | 112.5% | $36.69 | 137.5% | $44.84 |
| Night shift starting 4.00 pm and before 4.00 am | 115% | $37.50 | 140% | $45.65 |
| Night shift starting 4.00 am and before 6.00 am | 110% | $35.87 | 135% | $44.02 |
| Saturday (midnight Friday to midnight Saturday) | 150% | $48.92 | 175% | $57.07 |
| Sunday (midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday) | 175% | $57.07 | 200% | $65.22 |
| Public holidayPublic holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 250% | $81.53 | 275% | $89.68 |
Source: cl 23, 26.1 and 29.2.
A shift allowance is paid for the whole shift (cl 26.2). An employee working fewer than 38 hours a week gets it only if the shift starts before 6.00 am or finishes after 6.00 pm (cl 26.1).
Weekend rates replace shift allowances (cl 23.1), and a casual's 175% Saturday and 200% Sunday replace the casual loading rather than adding to it (cl 23.3).
On a public holiday a full-time or part-time employee is paid their ordinary pay plus an additional 150% for hours worked — 250% in all — or can elect each year to have the hours added to annual leave instead (cl 29.2(a)–(b)). Casuals are paid 275% (cl 29.2(c)).
Aged Care Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday — first 2 hours | 150% | $48.92 | 187.5% · $61.14 |
| Monday to Friday — after 2 hours | 200% | $65.22 | 250% · $81.53 |
| Saturday and Sunday | 200% | $65.22 | 250% · $81.53 |
| Public holiday | 250% | $81.53 | 312.5% · $101.91 |
Source: cl 25.1.
Casual overtime is set in terms at 187.5%, 250% and 312.5% of the hourly rate (cl 25.1(c)) and applies to hours over 38 a week, 76 a fortnight or 10 a day. For part-timers working more than 10 hours in a day, Saturday counts with Monday to Friday (cl 25.1(b)(ii)).
An employee recalled to work overtime is paid for at least 4 hours (cl 25.1(e)).
Aged Care Award Junior Rates
The Aged Care Award has no junior rates for its general or direct care classifications — only apprentices are paid a percentage of an adult rate. A 17-year-old personal care worker is owed the full rate for their level. Any age-percentage table attributed to the Aged Care Award is not from the award.
Aged Care Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 15 and 22.9, operative from 1 July 2026. Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform allowance (instead of supplied uniforms, by agreement)Or $6.41 a week, whichever is less. | $1.26 per shift | cl 15.2(b) |
| Laundry allowanceOr $1.53 a week, whichever is less. | $0.33 per shift | cl 15.2(b) |
| Leading hand — in charge of 2 to 5 employees2.67% of the standard rate. All-purpose (cl 15.3(c)). | $33.54 per week | cl 15.3(b) |
| Leading hand — in charge of 6 to 10 employees3.81% of the standard rate. All-purpose. | $47.85 per week | cl 15.3(b) |
| Leading hand — in charge of 11 to 15 employees4.81% of the standard rate. All-purpose. | $60.41 per week | cl 15.3(b) |
| Leading hand — in charge of 16 or more employees5.88% of the standard rate. All-purpose. | $73.85 per week | cl 15.3(b) |
| Meal allowance (overtime of more than one hour)A further $15.60 where the overtime exceeds 4 hours. | $17.30 per occasion | cl 15.4(a) |
| Nauseous work allowance0.05% of the standard rate. | $0.63 per hour or part | cl 15.5(a) |
| Tool allowance — chefs and cooks not supplied with tools | $13.41 per week | cl 15.6 |
| Vehicle allowance — 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027Temporary rate. From 1 March 2027 it reverts to $1.01 per km (cl 15.7(a)). | $1.05 per km | cl 15.7(aa) |
| Sleepover allowance5.20% of the standard rate, plus free board and lodging. | $65.31 per night | cl 22.9(d) |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- Minimum payment per engagement: 4 hours for full-time employees, 2 hours for part-time and casual employees (cl 22.7).
- A broken shift (part-time or casual, by agreement) can span at most 12 hours; work beyond that span is paid at double time (cl 22.8).
- Employees must get at least 10 hours off between shifts, or 8 by agreement (cl 22.4). Day workers' ordinary hours fall between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday (cl 22.2).
What does an aged care award rate take home?
- Take-home on $33.05/hr (General — level 6)
- Take-home on $32.61/hr (Direct care — level 1 (Introductory))
- Take-home on $34.42/hr (Direct care — level 2 (Direct Carer))
- Take-home on $36.23/hr (Direct care — level 3 (Qualified))
- Take-home on $37.68/hr (Direct care — level 4 (Senior))
- Take-home on $39.13/hr (Direct care — level 5 (Specialist))
- Take-home on $40.58/hr (Direct care — level 6 (Team Leader))
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- Cooking and gardening apprentice rates (cl 14.4 to 14.6)
- Classification translation and retained rates for employees reclassified on 1 January 2025 (Schedule I)
- National Training Wage (Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Award) trainee rates
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. If your pay period began before 1 July 2026, the previous rate lawfully applies to that whole period and the rise starts with the next one. The award was varied by determination PR799299 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aged Care Award questions and answers
What are the aged care award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018), adult minimum rates run from $27.77 an hour ($1,055.40 a week) for General — level 1 to $40.58 an hour ($1,541.90 a week) for Direct care — level 6 (Team Leader). They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
What is the casual rate under the Aged Care Award?
Casuals receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate, so Direct care — level 1 (Introductory) becomes $40.76 an hour. Casual penalty rates add the loading rather than multiplying by it — the casual column in the award is the permanent percentage plus 25 percentage points.
What allowances are paid under the Aged Care Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 15 and 22.9) includes: uniform allowance (instead of supplied uniforms, by agreement) $1.26 per shift; laundry allowance $0.33 per shift; leading hand — in charge of 2 to 5 employees $33.54 per week; leading hand — in charge of 6 to 10 employees $47.85 per week; leading hand — in charge of 11 to 15 employees $60.41 per week. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
Does the Aged Care Award have junior rates?
The Aged Care Award has no junior rates for its general or direct care classifications — only apprentices are paid a percentage of an adult rate. A 17-year-old personal care worker is owed the full rate for their level.
When did the new aged care award rates start?
Applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not universally 1 July. The MA000018 rates were varied by determination PR799299 following the Annual Wage Review 2026. If your pay period started before 1 July 2026, the old rate lawfully applies to that whole period.
How much does a personal care worker earn in aged care?
Personal care workers are direct care employees. From 1 July 2026 they earn $32.61 an hour at level 1 (Introductory), $34.42 at level 2 (Direct Carer), $36.23 at level 3 (Qualified), $37.68 at level 4 (Senior), $39.13 at level 5 (Specialist) and $40.58 as a Team Leader. On a full-time 38-hour week a Qualified carer earns $1,376.70.
What are aged care award shift penalties?
An afternoon shift starting between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm is paid an extra 10%, one starting between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm 12.5%, a night shift starting between 4.00 pm and 4.00 am 15%, and one starting between 4.00 am and 6.00 am 10%. The allowance is paid for the whole shift. At direct care level 3 the 15% night shift rate is $41.66 an hour.
What is the aged care award casual overtime rate?
The award sets it in terms: 187.5% of the hourly rate for the first 2 hours Monday to Friday, 250% after that and on weekends, and 312.5% on public holidays. For a Qualified direct care worker that is $67.93, $90.58 and $113.22 an hour.
Is there a sleepover allowance under the aged care award?
Yes. An employee required to sleep over is paid an allowance of 5.2% of the standard rate — $65.31 a night — plus free board and lodging. Any work performed during a sleepover is paid on top, at overtime rates for full-time employees.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 23 September 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000018 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 September 2026 (PR813673). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including that casual penalties add the loading rather than multiplying by it. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1Consolidated award text — Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018)— Fair Work Commission
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000018— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 23 September 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
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Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
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