Childcare Apprentice Pay Rates

Childcare apprentices (children's services trainees) are paid based on their age, year of apprenticeship, and whether they completed Year 12. Rates start at $18.90 per hour, and adult apprentices earn from $23.62 per hour. Use the calculator below to find apprentice pay rates for 2026.

Apprentice pay rates

Select your details to see the minimum award pay rate, including hourly, weekly and estimated annual pay.

Children's Services Award (MA000120) — effective 1 Mar 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission. Rates are a guide only; always confirm with the Fair Work Commission.

How childcare apprentice pay works

Under the Children's Services Award (MA000120), apprentice rates depend on age (16 and under, 17, or 18), apprenticeship year (1st year vs 2nd and subsequent years), and Year 12 completion. Adult apprentices are paid a separate, higher schedule.

Apprentice pay at a glance

  • 16 and under, 1st year: from $18.90/hour
  • 17 years, 1st year: from $21.60/hour
  • 18 years, 1st year: from $24.30/hour
  • Adult apprentice, 1st year: from $23.62/hour

Completing Year 12 lifts the second-year rate slightly. For qualified educator rates, see our childcare wages guide.

Childcare apprenticeships & traineeships

Looking to start an apprenticeship? Browse childcare jobs and traineeships across Australia.

Childcare apprentice pay FAQ

How much do childcare apprentices get paid?

Childcare apprentices are paid from $18.90 per hour, increasing with age and apprenticeship year. Adult apprentices start from $23.62 per hour under the Children's Services Award.

Does completing Year 12 affect apprentice pay?

Yes. Apprentices who completed Year 12 receive a slightly higher rate in their second and subsequent years.

What is the adult apprentice rate?

Adult apprentices are paid a higher schedule, starting from $23.62 per hour in the first year.

 

Full table of childcare apprentice award rates

Apprentice - Did not complete year 12 - 16 years and under
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $18.90 $37.80 $47.25 $20.79 $21.74 $22.21 $24.57 $28.35 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $18.90 $37.80 $47.25 $20.79 $21.74 $22.21 $24.57 $28.35 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80
Apprentice - Completed year 12 - 16 years and under
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $18.90 $37.80 $47.25 $20.79 $21.74 $22.21 $24.57 $28.35 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80 $28.35 $37.80
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $19.19 $38.38 $47.98 $21.11 $22.07 $22.55 $24.95 $28.79 $28.79 $38.38 $28.79 $38.38 $28.79 $38.38
Apprentice - Did not complete year 12 - 17 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $21.60 $43.20 $54.00 $23.76 $24.84 $25.38 $28.08 $32.40 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $21.60 $43.20 $54.00 $23.76 $24.84 $25.38 $28.08 $32.40 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20
Apprentice - Completed year 12 - 17 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $21.60 $43.20 $54.00 $23.76 $24.84 $25.38 $28.08 $32.40 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $21.60 $43.20 $54.00 $23.76 $24.84 $25.38 $28.08 $32.40 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20 $32.40 $43.20
Apprentice - Did not complete year 12 - 18 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $24.30 $48.60 $60.75 $26.73 $27.95 $28.55 $31.59 $36.45 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $24.30 $48.60 $60.75 $26.73 $27.95 $28.55 $31.59 $36.45 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60
Apprentice - Completed year 12 - 18 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $24.30 $48.60 $60.75 $26.73 $27.95 $28.55 $31.59 $36.45 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $24.30 $48.60 $60.75 $26.73 $27.95 $28.55 $31.59 $36.45 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60 $36.45 $48.60
Adult apprentice - Started after 1 Jan 2014
Classification Hourly pay rate Sunday Public holiday Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Saturday - shiftworkers Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (non-shiftworkers) - after 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - first 2 hours Overtime - Saturday (shiftworkers) - after 2 hours
Children's services apprentice - 1st year $23.62 $47.24 $59.05 $25.98 $27.16 $27.75 $30.71 $35.43 $35.43 $47.24 $35.43 $47.24 $35.43 $47.24
Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years $26.19 $52.38 $65.48 $28.81 $30.12 $30.77 $34.05 $39.29 $39.29 $52.38 $39.29 $52.38 $39.29 $52.38

Rates effective 1 March 2026 (Fair Work Commission, MA000120). A guide only — confirm with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

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