Children’s services award pay guide
The Children’s Services Award is a fundamental framework that establishes the minimum employment conditions and pay rates for individuals working in the children’s services sector in Australia. Developed by the Fair Work Commission, this award is designed to ensure fair and equitable compensation for those contributing to the care, education, and well-being of children in various settings, including childcare centres, preschools, and educational institutions.
Pay rates in the children’s services award
Effective July 1, 2022, please be aware that the following rates represent the minimum standard pay rates specified in the Award. Please refer to the relevant Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for other applicable rates such as overtime, penalty rates or allowances.
Adult Full-time & part-time
| Classification | Weekly pay rate | Hourly pay rate |
| Support worker level 1.1 on commencement | $830.30 | $21.85 |
| Support worker level 2.1 on commencement | $860.40 | $22.64 |
| Support worker level 2.2 after 1 year | $888.70 | $23.39 |
| Support worker level 3.1 on commencement | $940.90 | $24.76 |
| Children’s services employee level 1.1 on commencement | $830.30 | $21.85 |
| Children’s services employee level 2.1 on commencement | $860.40 | $22.64 |
| Children’s services employee level 2.2 after 1 year | $888.70 | $23.39 |
| Children’s services employee level 3A.1 on commencement | $926.40 | $24.38 |
| Children’s services employee level 3A.2 after 1 year | $940.90 | $24.76 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.1 on commencement | $940.90 | $24.76 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.2 after 1 year | $973.30 | $25.61 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.3 after 2 years | $1,004.00 | $26.42 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.4 (Diploma) | $1,059.50 | $27.88 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.1 on commencement | $1,004.00 | $26.42 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.2 after 1 year | $1,018.00 | $26.79 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.3 after 2 years | $1,031.90 | $27.16 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.4 after 3 years | $1,046.30 | $27.53 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.5 after 4 years | $1,060.30 | $27.90 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.1 on commencement | $1,108.30 | $29.17 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.2 after 1 year | $1,125.30 | $29.61 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.3 after 2 years | $1,142.00 | $30.05 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.1 on commencement | $1,159.00 | $30.50 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.2 after 1 year | $1,175.80 | $30.94 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.3 after 2 years | $1,192.40 | $31.38 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.1 on commencement | $1,159.00 | $30.50 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.2 after 1 year | $1,175.80 | $30.94 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.3 after 2 years | $1,192.40 | $31.38 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.4 | $1,196.70 | $31.49 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.1 on commencement | $1,336.50 | $35.17 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.2 after 1 year | $1,353.10 | $35.61 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.3 after 2 years | $1,369.70 | $36.04 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.1 on commencement | $1,336.50 | $35.17 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.2 after 1 year | $1,353.10 | $35.61 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.3 after 2 years | $1,369.70 | $36.04 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.4 on commencement | $1,420.90 | $37.39 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.5 after 1 year | $1,433.90 | $37.73 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.6 after 2 years | $1,451.10 | $38.19 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.7 on commencement | $1,468.40 | $38.64 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.8 after 1 year | $1,485.10 | $39.08 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.9 after 2 years | $1,501.80 | $39.52 |
Casual
| Classification | Hourly pay rate |
| Support worker level 1.1 on commencement | $27.31 |
| Support worker level 2.1 on commencement | $28.30 |
| Support worker level 2.2 after 1 year | $29.24 |
| Support worker level 3.1 on commencement | $30.95 |
| Children’s services employee level 1.1 on commencement | $27.31 |
| Children’s services employee level 2.1 on commencement | $28.30 |
| Children’s services employee level 2.2 after 1 year | $29.24 |
| Children’s services employee level 3A.1 on commencement | $30.48 |
| Children’s services employee level 3A.2 after 1 year | $30.95 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.1 on commencement | $30.95 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.2 after 1 year | $32.01 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.3 after 2 years | $33.03 |
| Children’s services employee level 3.4 (Diploma) | $34.85 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.1 on commencement | $33.03 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.2 after 1 year | $33.49 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.3 after 2 years | $33.95 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.4 after 3 years | $34.41 |
| Children’s services employee level 4A.5 after 4 years | $34.88 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.1 on commencement | $36.46 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.2 after 1 year | $37.01 |
| Children’s services employee level 4.3 after 2 years | $37.56 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.1 on commencement | $38.13 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.2 after 1 year | $38.68 |
| Children’s services employee level 5A.3 after 2 years | $39.23 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.1 on commencement | $38.13 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.2 after 1 year | $38.68 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.3 after 2 years | $39.23 |
| Children’s services employee level 5.4 | $39.36 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.1 on commencement | $43.96 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.2 after 1 year | $44.51 |
| Children’s services employee level 6A.3 after 2 years | $45.05 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.1 on commencement | $43.96 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.2 after 1 year | $44.51 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.3 after 2 years | $45.05 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.4 on commencement | $46.74 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.5 after 1 year | $47.16 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.6 after 2 years | $47.74 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.7 on commencement | $48.30 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.8 after 1 year | $48.85 |
| Children’s services employee – Director – level 6.9 after 2 years | $49.40 |
Superannuation Legislation
Superannuation rights and responsibilities are addressed in accordance with applicable superannuation legislation. Unless compelled by superannuation legislation to contribute to an alternative superannuation fund chosen by the employee, the employer is obligated to make superannuation contributions to one of the specified superannuation funds or their successors, as outlined in clause 20.4 of the award.
Additionally, contingent upon the governing rules of the relevant superannuation fund, the employer must continue making superannuation contributions during periods of paid leave and for the duration of absence from work, not exceeding 52 weeks, due to work-related injury or illness. This obligation persists as long as the employee is receiving workers’ compensation payments or regular payments directly from the employer in accordance with statutory requirements and remains employed by the employer.
How HR Connect can help
If you require assistance with Award interpretation, compliance advice, disciplinary issues concerning staff, HR Connect can help. Our HR Advisors will be able to guide you through each step of the process and provide template documents as part of our subscription packages.
About HR Connect
HR Connect is one of Australia’s leading providers of HR & workplace safety advice services, designed to help small business owners make confident and compliant business decisions.
Disclaimer
The information provided in these knowledge base articles is general in nature and is not intended to substitute for professional advice. If you are unsure about how this information applies to your specific situation we recommend you contact HR Connect for advice. The information in this summary is correct as of August 2021.
This article will change over time, as Modern Award legislation relating to this Industry or Occupation is passed by the Fair Work Commission. Originally published on 20 February 2024.
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