What is the minimum hourly rate for an early childhood educator under the Children's Services Award?

From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 – Introductory educator is $28.81 for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive $36.01 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading. Higher levels such as Level 3 – Qualified educator start at $32.47 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman in the Children's Services Award.

How do I calculate the annual salary from an hourly rate for an early childhood educator?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours per week (typically 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, a Level 3 educator at $32.47 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = approximately $64,157 per year. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of this amount. Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident tax scale.

Early Childhood Educator Salary: Hourly to Annual, Fortnight, Tax and Super

Q: What is the difference between award rates for early childhood educators compared to other jobs?

The Children's Services Award covers educators in childcare centres, while teachers in preschools may be covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. For example, a teacher at Level 1 earns $32.20 per hour. The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour. Early childhood educator salaries are generally above the minimum wage due to award classification.

For a children's services employee at Level 3 – Qualified educator, the hourly rate is $32.47, giving an annual gross of approximately $64,157 based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.

Understanding Early Childhood Educator Salary

When you search for an early childhood educator salary, you will often see hourly rates quoted under the Children's Services Award. To turn that hourly figure into an annual, fortnightly, or weekly amount, you need a consistent method. This guide explains the conversion, the role of the 38-hour week, tax, and superannuation.

Hourly to Annual: The Basic Formula

The standard formula is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks.

For full-time employees, the typical week is 38 hours. If you are offered a salary, you can reverse the calculation to find the equivalent hourly rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides show minimum rates for each classification.

Award Rates for Early Childhood Educators

From 1 July 2026, the Children's Services Award sets the following minimum hourly rates for full-time and part-time children's services employees:

Level 1 – Introductory educator: $28.81 per hour
Level 2 – Educator: $29.69 per hour
Level 3 – Qualified educator: $32.47 per hour
Level 4 – Experienced educator: $34.65 per hour
Level 5 – Advanced educator: $36.57 per hour
Level 6 – Room leader: $38.25 per hour
Level 7 – Assistant director: $40.00 per hour
Level 8 – Director: $48.12 per hour

These rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For example, a casual Level 3 educator is $40.59 per hour. The casual loading is clearly shown in the pay guide, and you should never add the loading into the hourly rate you type into the timesheet.

Fortnightly and Fortnightly Pay

A full-time employee's fortnightly pay is simply the weekly rate × 2. For a Level 3 educator at $32.47 per hour, the weekly is $1,233.90, so the fortnight is $2,467.80. This helps when budgeting or comparing salary offers.

Tax and Superannuation

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. For an early childhood educator salary, super is calculated on the ordinary time earnings, not including overtime or allowances.

Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident scale:

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%. The tax table uses the single reduction thresholds from 2025–26 because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. This estimate does not include HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Comparing with Other Awards

Early childhood educators in preschools may be covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award. For example, a teacher at Level 1 earns $32.20 per hour, and a casual teacher engaged for less than five consecutive days receives no higher than Level 3, which is $38.31 per hour. The allowance structure differs, including educational leader allowances.

Using the Timesheet

The timesheet on this site lets you enter a base hourly rate. If you are casual, check the box to add 25% loading. Do not type a rate that already includes casual loading. The tool then calculates annual, fortnightly, weekly, and monthly figures. It also estimates tax and super.

Important Notes

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual minimum is $33.05 per hour.
ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time is $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). All employees total earnings average $1,579.20 per week.
The conversion assumes 38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice.
Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

For more detailed pay guides, visit the pay guides page. For reference tables of all award rates, see reference tables.

Conclusion

Understanding an early childhood educator salary requires knowing the correct award classification, the 38-hour week, and the conversion to annual, fortnight, and tax. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's official pay guides and the timesheet to get a reliable estimate.