Age care worker salary: what you can earn in 2026
Find out the age care worker salary in Australia, including award rates, median earnings, super, and tax. Compare with the national Salary Index.
The median full-time age care worker salary is around $1,761 per week, giving a Salary Index of about 84, while award minimums range from $1,239 to $1,542 per week.
What does an age care worker earn?
An age care worker salary in Australia depends on the type of role, experience, and whether you work in residential aged care or home care. The most current public data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows that the median full-time weekly earnings for Aged and Disabled Carers is $1,761 (before tax). That works out to about $46 per hour and an annualised salary of $91,572. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, that median sits at roughly 84.
But that median is for full-time non-managerial employees only. Only 40% of aged and disabled carers work full-time, so many earn less. The Aged Care Award 2010 from the Fair Work Ombudsman sets legal minimums. For direct care employees (the most common classification), the weekly rates from 1 July 2026 are:
- Level 1 Introductory: $1,239.00
- Level 2 Direct Carer: $1,307.80
- Level 3 Qualified: $1,376.70
- Level 4 Senior: $1,431.80
- Level 5 Specialist: $1,486.80
- Level 6 Team Leader: $1,541.90
General aged care employees (non-direct care) have lower rates, from $1,055.40 (Level 1) to $1,278.60 (Level 7). These award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, following the Annual Wage Review.
How the award sets minimum pay
The Aged Care Award covers most age care workers in Australia. Your classification depends on your duties and qualifications. For example, a worker with a Certificate III in Individual Support is usually a Direct Carer Level 2 or 3. A registered nurse would be covered by the Nurses Award, not this one. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also includes penalty rates and allowances, such as weekend or shift loadings. Many employers pay above the award, especially in areas with labour shortages.
How super and tax affect take-home pay
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of your salary. So if you earn the Direct Carer Level 2 minimum of $1,307.80 per week, your employer must also contribute $156.94 to your super fund each week. That's an extra $8,161 per year in super.
Income tax for 2026–27 uses these resident rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- Plus a 2% Medicare levy
For a Direct Carer Level 2 earning $68,006 per year (award minimum), the estimated tax and Medicare is about $11,500, leaving take-home pay of roughly $56,500. That's a Salary Index of about 62.8 when comparing gross pay to the national line. Remember, the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not take-home.
Where does the age care worker salary sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national benchmark of $108,352 (index 100). Here's how common age care salaries stack up:
- Award Direct Carer Level 2 ($68,006): index 62.8
- Award Qualified Carer Level 3 ($71,588): index 66.1
- Award Team Leader Level 6 ($80,179): index 74.0
- Median full-time (from JSA, $91,572): index 84.5
For context, the national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026) is $52,255 annualised, index 48.2. The health care and social assistance industry average index is 97.8, so age care workers tend to earn below the industry average. That's partly because the sector has a high proportion of part-time and casual workers.
What about casual and part-time workers?
Many age care workers are casual or part-time. Casual employees get a loading (usually 25% on top of the hourly rate) but no paid leave. The award's casual loading is built into the minimum hourly rate. For example, a casual Direct Carer Level 2 would earn about $34.40 per hour (award rate plus loading). Part-time workers are paid the same hourly rate as full-time but work fewer hours. The median age of an aged and disabled carer is 41, and 73% are women, according to Jobs and Skills Australia.
How to find your exact pay
Your actual age care worker salary depends on your employer, location, and experience. Check your pay against the Aged Care Award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator. For state-by-state comparisons, see our states page. If you're negotiating a raise, knowing the award minimum and the median can help. The pay guides section has more on how awards work.
Key takeaways
- The median full-time age care worker salary is about $91,572 (index 84.5), but many earn less.
- Award minimums for direct care range from $64,428 to $80,179 per year.
- Super is 12% on top, and tax takes roughly 17% of gross for a typical award worker.
- The Salary Index lets you compare any pay figure to the national average.
Understanding your age care worker salary means looking at gross pay, super, and tax together. Use the award as a baseline and the median as a benchmark for what's possible with experience.
Questions people ask
What is the average age care worker salary in Australia?
The median full-time age care worker salary is about $1,761 per week according to Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025 data), which annualises to roughly $91,572. However, many workers are part-time, so actual average earnings are lower. Award minimums start at $1,239 per week for entry-level direct care roles.
How much super do age care workers get?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of the salary. For example, a Direct Carer Level 2 on the award minimum of $1,307.80 per week would receive an extra $156.94 in super each week. Casual workers also receive super if they earn over $450 in a calendar month.
What tax does an age care worker pay?
Age care workers pay income tax at the standard resident rates for 2026–27: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a worker earning $68,000 (award Direct Carer Level 2), the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be about $11,500, leaving a take-home of around $56,500 per year.