Minimum rates under the Children's Services Award MA000120, current as at 2026-07-01. Sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000120.
Under the Children's Services Award (MA000120), the minimum full-time adult rate starts at $26.44/hour (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.
Page updated 21 October 2026: added Christmas and New Year public holiday rates and the 2026–27 change timeline. Rates current as at 1 July 2026.
Full-time minimum rates by classification. Casual employees receive these rates plus the 25% casual loading (or the all-inclusive casual rate where the award specifies one).
| 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 |
Not sure which level a role belongs at? See every Children's Services Award classification explained with full-time and casual rates.
Weekend and public holiday penalties as a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate. Casual percentages are all-inclusive of the casual loading.
| 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% |
Frequently-applied allowances from the Pay Guide MA000120. Ask Fitz for the full list and the exact conditions.
| 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 |
| Laundry allowance, no ironing (part-time or casual employees) | $1.23 | per day |
| Educational leader allowance (5 days or more per week) | $4784.28 | per year |
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The summer public holidays are where Children's Services Award payroll errors cluster, because the public holiday penalty is the largest multiplier in the award and Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, which brings substitute-day rules into play. For a Support worker level 1.1 on commencement (support worker) employee on the current minimum of $26.44 an hour:
| Hour worked | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Monday–Friday hour | $26.44 | $33.05 |
| Public holiday hour (250% / 275% casual) | $66.10 | $72.71 |
The same multiplier applies at every classification level, so take the level’s ordinary rate from the table above and multiply. The casual public holiday percentage already includes the 25% casual loading; do not add it again. The national public holidays in the period are:
Each state and territory gazettes its own list, including part-day holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in some jurisdictions, so check your state’s list before the roster is published. The penalty applies to hours worked on the gazetted day; where a substitute day is declared, the award sets out which day attracts the penalty, and that is a question worth asking Fitz before the pay run rather than after.
The rates on this page took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the Fair Work Commission’s 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase, and apply for the 2026–27 financial year. The next Annual Wage Review decision is expected in June 2027 and takes effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2027. Superannuation guarantee is 12%. Nothing else is scheduled to change the Children's Services Award minimum rates before then; if the Commission varies the award mid-year, the rates alert below will tell you.
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