Children's Services Award 2010 — Pay Rates July 2026
Minimum pay rates effective 1 July 2026 under the Children's Services Award 2010. All rates verified directly against the official Fair Work Commission pay guide published 24 June 2026.
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Effective 1 July 2026 · Adult rates only · Source: Fair Work Commission
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Support worker level 1.1 on commencement | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr |
| Support worker level 2.1 on commencement | $26.93/hr | $33.66/hr |
| Support worker level 2.2 after 1 year | $27.82/hr | $34.78/hr |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator | $28.81/hr | $36.01/hr |
| Support worker level 3.1 on commencement | $29.45/hr | $36.81/hr |
| Level 2 - Educator | $29.69/hr | $37.11/hr |
| Level 3 - Qualified educator | $32.47/hr | $40.59/hr |
| Level 4 - Experienced educator | $34.65/hr | $43.31/hr |
| Level 5 - Advanced educator | $36.57/hr | $45.71/hr |
| Level 6 - Room leader | $38.25/hr | $47.81/hr |
| Level 7 - Assistant director | $40.00/hr | $50.00/hr |
| Level 8 - Director | $46.12/hr | $57.65/hr |
Junior, apprentice & trainee rates
Reduced rates that apply by age, apprenticeship year or training stage — check which classification matches your situation.
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior (Under16yo) | $20.78/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Not completed Year 12 - 16yo and under | $20.78/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Not completed Year 12 - 16yo and under | $20.78/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Completed Year 12 - 16yo and under | $20.78/hr | — |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior (Under16yo) | $20.78/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Completed Year 12 - 16yo and under | $21.11/hr | — |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior (17yo) | $23.75/hr | — |
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior (17yo) | $23.75/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Not completed Year 12 - 17yo | $23.75/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Completed Year 12 - 17yo | $23.75/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Completed Year 12 - 17yo | $23.75/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Not completed Year 12 - 17yo | $23.75/hr | — |
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior Casual (Under16yo) | — | $25.98/hr |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Adult apprentice | $25.98/hr | — |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior Casual (Under16yo) | — | $25.98/hr |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior (18yo) | $26.72/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Completed Year 12 - 18yo | $26.72/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 1st year - Not completed Year 12 - 18yo | $26.72/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Completed Year 12 - 18yo | $26.72/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Not completed Year 12 - 18yo | $26.72/hr | — |
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior (18yo) | $26.72/hr | — |
| Children's services apprentice - 2nd and subsequent years - Adult apprentice | $28.81/hr | — |
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior Casual (17yo) | — | $29.69/hr |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior Casual (17yo) | — | $29.69/hr |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator - Junior Casual (18yo) | — | $33.40/hr |
| Level 2 - Educator - Junior Casual (18yo) | — | $33.40/hr |
Penalty rates — Level 1 - Introductory educator
Full-time/part-time and casual rates often differ — casual employees receive a higher percentage on top of the 25% casual loading.
| When | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | $57.62/hr 200% | — |
| Public Holiday | $72.03/hr 250% | — |
| Overtime (first 2 hrs) | $43.22/hr 150% | $50.42/hr 140% |
| Overtime (after 2 hrs) | $57.62/hr 200% | $64.82/hr 180% |
| Saturday overtime (first 2 hrs) | $43.22/hr 150% | — |
| Saturday overtime (after 2 hrs) | $57.62/hr 200% | — |
| Early Morning Shift | $31.69/hr 110% | $38.89/hr 108% |
| Afternoon Shift | $33.13/hr 115% | $40.33/hr 112% |
| Rotating Night Shift | $33.85/hr 117% | $41.05/hr 114% |
| Permanent Night Shift | $37.45/hr 130% | $44.66/hr 124% |
| Saturday Shiftworkers | $43.22/hr 150% | — |
| Overtime Saturday Shiftworkers First 2hrs | $43.22/hr 150% | — |
| Overtime Saturday Shiftworkers After 2hrs | $57.62/hr 200% | — |
Common questions about the Children's Services Award
What is the minimum wage under the Children's Services Award?
The minimum full-time rate under the Children's Services Award from 1 July 2026 is $28.81 per hour. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $36.01 per hour.
What is the casual loading under the Children's Services Award?
Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate, which compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Casual penalty rates for weekends, evenings and public holidays are usually higher again than the full-time/part-time penalty rates - not just the base rate plus 25% - so check the specific casual figures in the table above rather than estimating.
When did the Children's Services Award rates last change?
Current rates took effect 1 July 2026 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision, which applied a 4.75% increase to Modern Award minimum rates (the National Minimum Wage floor for award-free workers rose separately, by 5.97%, to $26.44/hr). Rates are reviewed and updated every 1 July.
What happens if my employer pays me less than the Children's Services Award minimum?
Paying below the award minimum is a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009. You can report underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94. Investigations are free and you may be entitled to back pay for up to 6 years.
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Start free wage checkAll rates sourced from Fair Work Commission pay guides effective 1 July 2026. Rates verified against official FWC published documents and updated annually on 1 July. This is factual information only — not legal advice. FairLanding (ABN 34 583 311 963) operates under Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958. For advice specific to your situation, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94.