Casual Childcare Worker Hourly Pay Rates (2025)
Last updated: 2 Mar 2026
The wages and salaries of childcare workers in Australia are governed by the Children's Services Award, published by the Fair Work Commission. The Award outlines a number of rules and regulations pertaining to the relationship between childcare employers and employees, one of which being the minimum hourly pay rate of casual early childcare professionals.
Casual & overtime 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.
Penalty & overtime rates (per hour)
Gross estimates exclude superannuation and additional entitlements. Weekly and annual estimates assume 38 hours per week and 52 weeks per year; casual hours are not guaranteed and these estimates do not include paid leave.
Children's Services Award (MA000120) — effective 1 Jul 2026. Source: Fair Work Commission. Read the official award and its conditions.
Browse a breakdown of the hourly, overtime and shiftwork pay rates for casual childcare workers below.
Check the full-time and part-time childcare pay rates here.
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| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support worker level 1.1 on commencement | $33.05 | $35.69 | $37.02 | $37.68 | $40.98 | $46.27 | $59.49 |
| Support worker level 2.1 on commencement | $33.66 | $36.36 | $37.70 | $38.38 | $41.74 | $47.13 | $60.59 |
| Support worker level 2.2 after 1 year | $34.78 | $37.56 | $38.95 | $39.64 | $43.12 | $48.69 | $62.60 |
| Support worker level 3.1 on commencement | $36.81 | $39.76 | $41.23 | $41.97 | $45.65 | $51.54 | $66.26 |
| 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 | $36.01 | $38.89 | $40.33 | $41.05 | $44.66 | $50.42 | $64.82 |
| Level 2 - Educator | $37.11 | $40.08 | $41.57 | $42.31 | $46.02 | $51.96 | $66.80 |
| Level 3 - Qualified educator | $40.59 | $43.83 | $45.46 | $46.27 | $50.33 | $56.82 | $73.06 |
| Level 4 - Experienced educator | $43.31 | $46.78 | $48.51 | $49.38 | $53.71 | $60.64 | $77.96 |
| Level 5 - Advanced educator | $45.71 | $49.37 | $51.20 | $52.11 | $56.68 | $64.00 | $82.28 |
| Level 6 - Room leader | $47.81 | $51.64 | $53.55 | $54.51 | $59.29 | $66.94 | $86.06 |
| Level 7 - Assistant director | $50.00 | $54.00 | $56.00 | $57.00 | $62.00 | $70.00 | $90.00 |
| Level 8 - Director | $57.65 | $62.26 | $64.57 | $65.72 | $71.49 | $80.71 | $103.77 |
Updated 2 Mar 2026 to use the latest figures from the Fair Work Commission for the new 2025/26 financial year.
Recent job openings
No active job listings.
Would you like your job opening featured here? List for free now!