The complete reference to the Children's Services Award MA000120 for long day care, preschools, kindergartens and outside-school-hours care providers — coverage, classifications, penalty rates, allowances, minimum engagement and Fair Work compliance.
The Children's Services Award (MA000120) sets minimum pay by classification, starting at $26.44/hour full-time (Support worker level 1.1 on commencement (support worker)). Saturdays pay 150% (full/part-time) or 175% (casual); Sundays 200% (full/part-time) or 225% (casual); public holidays 250% (full/part-time) or 275% (casual). Casual percentages already include the 25% casual loading. Figures current as at 1 July 2026, sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide — full tables below, or ask Fitz for the exact rate for your classification and shift.
The Children's Services Award MA000120 covers long day care, preschools and kindergartens, outside-school-hours care, and other children’s services. Getting coverage right matters — it drives the classification structure, penalty rates, and allowances that apply to every shift. Applying the wrong award creates systematic underpayment exposure.
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Current classification rates, penalties and allowances from the FWO Pay Guide.
How Fitz compares for childcare services on the Children's Services Award.
What to look for in HR & compliance software for childcare services — and how Fitz compares.
Penalty rates under MA000120 for weekend and public holiday work, as a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate:
| When worked | % of ordinary rate |
|---|---|
| Saturday (FT/PT) | 150% |
| Saturday (casual) | 175% |
| Sunday (FT/PT) | 200% |
| Sunday (casual) | 225% |
| Public holiday (FT/PT) | 250% |
| Public holiday (casual) | 275% |
Casual employees receive a 25% loading; the casual penalty percentages above are all-inclusive of that loading, not stacked on top.
A sample of the full-time minimum rates. See the Children's Services Award pay rates page for the full table, streams and casual rates.
| Classification (full-time) | Hourly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Support worker level 1.1 on commencement (support worker) | $26.44 | $1004.90 |
| Support worker level 2.1 on commencement (support worker) | $26.93 | $1023.40 |
| Support worker level 2.2 after 1 year (support worker) | $27.82 | $1057.00 |
| Support worker level 3.1 on commencement (support worker) | $29.45 | $1119.10 |
| Level 1 - Introductory educator (childrens services employee) | $28.81 | $1094.80 |
| Level 2 - Educator (childrens services employee) | $29.69 | $1128.40 |
| Level 3 - Qualified educator (childrens services employee) | $32.47 | $1233.90 |
| Level 4 - Experienced educator (childrens services employee) | $34.65 | $1316.70 |
| Level 5 - Advanced educator (childrens services employee) | $36.57 | $1389.50 |
| Level 6 - Room leader (childrens services employee) | $38.25 | $1453.50 |
| Level 7 - Assistant director (childrens services employee) | $40.00 | $1519.90 |
| Level 8 - Director (childrens services employee) | $46.12 | $1752.70 |
The Children's Services Award sets a minimum period an employee must be paid for each time they are engaged:
| Allowance | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Broken shift allowance | $21.38 | per day |
| Excess fares allowance (working away from usual workplace) | $17.22 | per day |
| First aid allowance (Level 1/2, not in out-of-school-hours care) | $12.65 | per day |
| First aid allowance (Level 1/2, in out-of-school-hours care) | $1.68 | per hour |
| Meal allowance (overtime) | $16.12 | per occasion |
| Laundry & ironing allowance (full-time employees) | $9.74 | per week |
| Laundry & ironing allowance (part-time or casual employees) | $1.95 | per day |
| Laundry allowance, no ironing (full-time employees) | $6.14 | per week |
Operating under MA000120 creates obligations beyond paying the correct rate:
See the Fair Work compliance pillar guide and how Fitz HR compares for childcare services.
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