Salary guide
Aged care worker pay in Australia: what the Aged Care Award sets
The Aged Care Award 2010 sets minimum pay for aged care workers. A direct care employee at level 3 (Qualified), which applies to a carer with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent, must be paid at least $1,376.70 a week. Level 2 (Direct Carer) is $1,307.80 and level 1 (Introductory) is $1,239.00, from 1 July 2026.
Key facts
- Direct care level 1 (Introductory)
- $1,239.00 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.3
- Direct care level 2 (Direct Carer)
- $1,307.80 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.3
- Direct care level 3 (Qualified, Certificate III)
- $1,376.70 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.3
- Direct care level 6 (Team Leader)
- $1,541.90 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.3
- General aged care employee, level 1
- $1,055.40 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.1
- Home care employee, level 3 (aged care, SCHADS)
- $1,376.70 a week Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100], clause 17.2
- Casual employees
- A casual employee is paid 1/38th of the weekly rate for each ordinary hour plus a 25% loading. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 10.4(b)
Aged care employee: direct care
Weekly minimums for full-time employees, as the award prints them.
| Classification | Minimum weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 1—Introductory | $1,239.00 |
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 2—Direct Carer | $1,307.80 |
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 3—Qualified | $1,376.70 |
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 4—Senior | $1,431.80 |
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 5—Specialist | $1,486.80 |
| Aged care employee—direct care—level 6—Team Leader | $1,541.90 |
Source: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.3. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Aged care employee: general
For aged care employees who do not provide direct care.
| Classification | Minimum weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Aged care employee—general—level 1 | $1,055.40 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 2 | $1,097.20 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 3 | $1,139.40 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 4 | $1,152.80 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 5 | $1,191.80 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 6 | $1,256.00 |
| Aged care employee—general—level 7 | $1,278.60 |
Source: Aged Care Award 2010 [MA000018], clause 14.1. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Registered nurse, aged care employees (Nurses Award)
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse—level 1 | First year of employment classified at this level | $1,571.60 | $41.36 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | In excess of 1 year and up to 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,654.30 | $43.53 |
| Registered nurse—level 1 | In excess of 4 years of employment classified at this level | $1,801.10 | $47.40 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | First 3 years of employment classified at this level | $1,947.70 | $51.26 |
| Registered nurse—level 2 | In excess of 3 years of employment classified at this level | $2,046.00 | $53.84 |
| Registered nurse—level 3 | $2,094.20 | $55.11 | |
| Registered nurse—level 4 | $2,390.30 | $62.90 | |
| Registered nurse—level 5 | $2,711.30 | $71.35 |
Source: Nurses Award 2020 [MA000034], clause 15.3(b). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 August 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Home care employee: aged care (SCHADS Award)
Home care employees providing services to an aged person are paid under the SCHADS Award.
| Classification | Minimum weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Home care employee level 1—aged care | $1,239.00 |
| Home care employee level 2—aged care | $1,307.80 |
| Home care employee level 3—aged care | $1,376.70 |
| Home care employee level 4—aged care | $1,431.70 |
| Home care employee level 5—aged care | $1,486.80 |
| Home care employee level 6—aged care | $1,541.90 |
Source: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100], clause 17.2. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
How does the Aged Care Award define the direct care levels?
Level 1 (Introductory) is a direct carer with less than three months' aged care experience and level 2 (Direct Carer) has three months or more. Level 3 (Qualified) needs a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent. Level 4 (Senior) adds four years' experience classified at level 3 after 1 January 2025. Levels 5 and 6 need a Certificate IV in Ageing Support or equivalent required by the employer, and level 6 supervises and trains other direct carers (Schedule B.2).
Which award applies to a job?
Job titles such as personal care worker or assistant in nursing are set by employers, while the award classifies by duties, experience and qualifications. The Aged Care Award covers employers providing accommodation and care services for aged persons in residential facilities such as nursing homes, hostels and retirement villages (clause 4.1 and the definition of the aged care industry). The SCHADS Award covers the home care sector: personal care, domestic assistance or home maintenance for an aged person or a person with a disability in a private residence. Nurses are covered by the Nurses Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman can confirm which award covers a specific job.
What is not included in these figures?
The tables show ordinary-hours weekly minimums for full-time employees. Penalty rates, overtime and allowances are extra, and employers can pay above the award. Superannuation is paid on top of these rates. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (Australian Taxation Office: Super guarantee).
Aged care worker pay questions
How much must an aged care worker be paid in Australia?
Under the Aged Care Award 2010, a full-time direct care employee at level 2 (Direct Carer) must be paid at least $1,307.80 a week, and at level 3 (Qualified) at least $1,376.70 a week, from 1 July 2026. Higher levels pay more. These are minimums.
What is the Certificate III aged care pay rate?
The award's level 3 direct care classification (Qualified) applies to a direct carer with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent. Its minimum is $1,376.70 a week for a full-time employee from 1 July 2026.
Are casual aged care workers paid more per hour?
Under the Aged Care Award a casual employee is paid 1/38th of the weekly rate for their classification for each ordinary hour, plus a loading of 25% (clause 10.4(b)).
Can an employer pay more than the award?
Yes. The award sets minimum pay. Employers can pay more, and employees covered by an enterprise agreement are paid under that agreement, which must leave them better off overall than the award. Check the award or agreement that covers the job, and use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.
Related
Hiring aged care workers? CrossNation recruits for employers across Australia. Fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
Sources (accessed 3 October 2026)
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