What is the minimum hourly rate for a childcare worker under the award?

The Children's Services Award 2010 sets minimum rates from 1 July 2026. For a Level 1 Introductory Educator the hourly rate is $28.81, Level 2 Educator $29.69, and Level 3 Qualified Educator $32.47. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of these base rates.

How does casual loading affect a childcare worker salary?

Casual employees are paid the base hourly rate plus 25% casual loading. For example, a Level 1 casual educator earns $28.81 × 1.25 = $36.01 per hour. Super is paid on top of this loaded rate at 12% of ordinary earnings.

How do I convert a childcare hourly rate to annual and fortnightly?

Multiply the hourly rate (including casual loading if applicable) by 38 hours per week for full-time, then by 52 weeks. Fortnightly pay is the weekly amount times two. Use the timesheet tool for an estimate including tax and super.

Childcare Worker Salary: Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top

For a full-time childcare worker, the annual salary is hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks, with super paid on top.

Understanding Childcare Worker Salary

When you search for a childcare worker salary, you are likely looking at the award rates under the Children's Services Award 2010. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets these minimum rates, which apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. For a full-time employee, ordinary hours are an average of 38 per week. The hourly rate is 1/38th of the weekly rate. For example, a Level 1 Introductory Educator earns $1,094.80 per week, which is $28.81 per hour. A Level 2 Educator earns $29.69 per hour, and a Level 3 Qualified Educator $32.47 per hour.

Casual Loading and Super on Top

Casual employees must be paid the hourly rate for their classification plus a 25% casual loading for each ordinary hour worked. This loading is added to the base rate before calculating super. For instance, a casual Level 1 Educator earns $28.81 × 1.25 = $36.01 per hour. The casual loading page explains this in detail.

Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings, including the casual loading. The Australian Taxation Office requires employers to contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if you earn $36.01 per hour as a casual, your employer adds $4.32 per hour to your super fund. This is separate from your take-home pay.

Converting Hourly to Annual and Fortnightly

The basic formula is: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For full-time childcare workers, assume 38 hours per week. For part-time, use your agreed hours. For casual, use the loaded rate. For example, a full-time Level 2 Educator on $29.69 per hour earns $29.69 × 38 × 52 = $58,659.44 per year. The fortnightly pay is the weekly amount times two: $1,128.40 per week × 2 = $2,256.80 per fortnight.

Use the timesheet to enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. It will calculate annual, fortnightly, tax, and super estimates.

Award Rates and Allowances

The Children's Services Award covers several classifications. The full-time and part-time rates are:

Level 1 Introductory Educator: $28.81/hr
Level 2 Educator: $29.69/hr
Level 3 Qualified Educator: $32.47/hr
Level 4 Experienced Educator: $34.65/hr
Level 5 Advanced Educator: $36.57/hr
Level 6 Room Leader: $38.25/hr
Level 7 Assistant Director: $40.00/hr
Level 8 Director: $46.12/hr

Support workers have their own rates, starting at $26.44 per hour for Level 1.1 on commencement. Casual support workers get the same 25% loading.

Allowances such as first aid allowance ($12.65 per day for Level 1 or 2 not in out-of-school hours care) and broken shift allowance ($1.68 per hour for those in out-of-school hours care) may also apply.

Tax and Medicare

For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil up to $18,200
15% from $18,201 to $45,000
30% from $45,001 to $135,000
37% from $135,001 to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The take-home pay calculator can help estimate your net pay.

National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. But childcare award rates are higher than that.

Important Considerations

This is an estimate only. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.

For exact entitlements, refer to the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman or use the reference tables for award classifications.