Children's Services Award pay rates 2026–27
MA000120 · rates as at 1 July 2026 (first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026)
The Children's Services Award covers long day care, family day care and outside school hours care (OSHC). A distinctive feature: casual weekend and public holiday rates equal the permanent rates, because the casual loading does not stack on those penalties. These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
Level 2 Casual (childcare / OSHC)
Unqualified educator/assistant, incl. outside school hours care. Weekend/PH rates equal permanent rates (casual loading does not stack). Shift loadings for early/late hours are not prefilled.
| Base (ordinary hours) | $37.11 /hr |
| Saturday | $44.54 /hr |
| Sunday | $59.38 /hr |
| Public holiday | $74.23 /hr |
Level 3 Casual (Cert III educator)
Certificate III qualified educator, incl. OSHC. Weekend/PH rates equal permanent rates (casual loading does not stack). Shift loadings are not prefilled.
| Base (ordinary hours) | $40.59 /hr |
| Saturday | $48.71 /hr |
| Sunday | $64.94 /hr |
| Public holiday | $81.18 /hr |
Level 3 Full/Part-time (Cert III educator)
Certificate III qualified educator, incl. OSHC. Shift loadings for early/late hours are not prefilled.
| Base (ordinary hours) | $32.47 /hr |
| Saturday | $48.71 /hr |
| Sunday | $64.94 /hr |
| Public holiday | $81.18 /hr |
Common questions
What does a childcare educator earn in 2026?
A Level 2 casual educator (unqualified or working towards Certificate III) earns $37.11 per hour from 1 July 2026 including casual loading. A Certificate III qualified Level 3 casual earns $40.59 per hour, and a permanent Level 3 educator earns $32.47 per hour.
Do OSHC workers fall under this award?
Yes, outside school hours care educators are generally covered by the Children’s Services Award, using the same classification levels.
How do weekend rates work for casual educators?
Saturdays are 150% and Sundays 200% of the permanent base rate for both permanent and casual staff. The 25% casual loading does not stack on top of weekend or public holiday penalties.
Apply these rates automatically
Shiftbreeze prefills Children's Services Award rates into your pay templates — weekend, public holiday, evening and junior rates included — and your roster prices every shift as you build it. $60/month flat for your first 10 staff, free trial, no card needed.
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