Junior Childcare Pay Rates (Under 21)

Junior childcare workers under 21 are paid a percentage of the adult Children's Services Award rate based on their age. Junior educators aged 16 and under start at $18.90 per hour, rising to $24.30 per hour at 18. Use the calculator below to find junior pay rates by age and employment type for 2026.

Junior pay rates

Choose a supported classification to see general award rates and estimated pay.

General rates only. Transitional rates, other awards and agreements are not calculated.

Check coverage and exclusions

General MA000120 rates only. Schedule I transitional and retained rates, including former Level 4A room leaders, are not calculated. Apprentice wage protection under clause 14.5(c), traineeships, supported wages, other awards and agreements are not calculated. Junior percentages shown apply only to CSE Levels 1 and 2 under age 19; CSE Levels 3 to 5 receive adult rates. Allowances and other entitlements may apply. Check the award before relying on a result.

Children's Services Award (MA000120) — effective 1 Jul 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission. Read the official award and its conditions.

How junior childcare pay works

Under the Children's Services Award (MA000120), employees under 21 receive a junior rate that increases each year until they reach the full adult rate at 21. Junior rates apply to Level 1 (introductory educator) and Level 2 (educator) classifications.

Junior pay rates by age

  • 16 years and under: from $18.90/hour (full-time & part-time)
  • 17 years: from $21.60/hour
  • 18 years: from $24.30/hour

Casual juniors receive a 25% loading — for example $23.63/hour at 16 and under. For adult rates, see our childcare wages guide or the full childcare pay calculator.

Junior childcare jobs

Starting your career in early childhood? Browse entry-level childcare jobs across Australia.

Junior childcare pay FAQ

How much do junior childcare workers get paid?

Junior educators are paid from $18.90 per hour (16 and under) up to $24.30 per hour (18 years) under the Children's Services Award, with casual juniors paid a higher loaded rate.

At what age do you get the full adult childcare rate?

Employees receive the full adult Children's Services Award rate from 21 years of age.

Do junior childcare workers get casual loading?

Yes. Casual juniors receive a 25% casual loading on top of the junior base rate.

 

Full table of Junior childcare worker pay rates

Children's Services Award (MA000120) — effective 1 Jul 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission.

General MA000120 rates only. Schedule I transitional and retained rates, including former Level 4A room leaders, are not calculated. Apprentice wage protection under clause 14.5(c), traineeships, supported wages, other awards and agreements are not calculated. Junior percentages shown apply only to CSE Levels 1 and 2 under age 19; CSE Levels 3 to 5 receive adult rates. Allowances and other entitlements may apply. Check the award before relying on a result.

Read the official award and its conditions
Junior - Children's services - Full-time & part-time - 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
Level 1 - Introductory educator $20.78 $41.56 $51.95 $22.86 $23.90 $24.42 $27.01 $31.17 $31.17 $41.56 $31.17 $41.56 $31.17 $41.56
Level 2 - Educator $20.78 $41.56 $51.95 $22.86 $23.90 $24.42 $27.01 $31.17 $31.17 $41.56 $31.17 $41.56 $31.17 $41.56
Junior - Children's services - Full-time & part-time - 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
Level 1 - Introductory educator $23.75 $47.50 $59.38 $26.13 $27.31 $27.91 $30.88 $35.63 $35.63 $47.50 $35.63 $47.50 $35.63 $47.50
Level 2 - Educator $23.75 $47.50 $59.38 $26.13 $27.31 $27.91 $30.88 $35.63 $35.63 $47.50 $35.63 $47.50 $35.63 $47.50
Junior - Children's services - Full-time & part-time - 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
Level 1 - Introductory educator $26.72 $53.44 $66.80 $29.39 $30.73 $31.40 $34.74 $40.08 $40.08 $53.44 $40.08 $53.44 $40.08 $53.44
Level 2 - Educator $26.72 $53.44 $66.80 $29.39 $30.73 $31.40 $34.74 $40.08 $40.08 $53.44 $40.08 $53.44 $40.08 $53.44
Junior - Children's services - Casual - 16 years and under
Classification Hourly pay rate Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours
Level 1 - Introductory educator $25.98 $28.05 $29.09 $29.61 $32.21 $36.37 $46.76
Level 2 - Educator $25.98 $28.05 $29.09 $29.61 $32.21 $36.37 $46.76
Junior - Children's services - Casual - 17 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours
Level 1 - Introductory educator $29.69 $32.06 $33.25 $33.84 $36.81 $41.56 $53.44
Level 2 - Educator $29.69 $32.06 $33.25 $33.84 $36.81 $41.56 $53.44
Junior - Children's services - Casual - 18 years
Classification Hourly pay rate Early morning shift Afternoon shift Rotating night shift Permanent night shift Overtime - Mon to Fri - first 2 hours Overtime - Mon to Fri - after 2 hours
Level 1 - Introductory educator $33.40 $36.07 $37.41 $38.08 $41.42 $46.76 $60.12
Level 2 - Educator $33.40 $36.07 $37.41 $38.08 $41.42 $46.76 $60.12

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

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