Aged care worker salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

Aged care worker salary on the salary index

When you hear the term aged care worker salary, it usually refers to the minimum pay rates set by the Aged Care Award 2010, which covers most employees in the aged care industry. But where does that salary actually sit compared to the average Australian full-time worker? The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: the national line of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). By dividing an aged care worker's annual gross pay by that figure and multiplying by 100, you get an index number that shows how far above or below the national average the role pays.

Award classifications and their index positions

The Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018) has two main streams: general employees and direct care employees. Each stream has multiple levels with different minimum weekly wages. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list these rates, and the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database with full details.

For a full-time aged care employee—general—level 1, the minimum weekly wage is $1,055.40 as at 1 September 2026. Annualised (52 weeks), that's $54,880.80. On the salary index, that works out to:

($54,880.80 ÷ $108,352) × 100 = 50.6

That means an entry-level general aged care worker earns about half the national average full-time earnings. At the top of the general stream, level 7 pays $1,278.60 per week ($66,487.20 per year), giving an index of 61.4.

For direct care roles, the pay is higher. A direct care—level 1 (Introductory) earns $1,239.00 per week ($64,428 per year, index 59.5). A direct care—level 6 (Team Leader) earns $1,541.90 per week ($80,178.80 per year, index 74.0). Even the most senior direct care role under the award sits well below the national line of 100.

How the industry compares

The industries page shows that the health care and social assistance sector as a whole has an index of 97.8, very close to the national average. But aged care workers are a subset of that sector, and their award rates are significantly lower. This gap reflects the fact that many health care roles (such as nurses and doctors) are in higher-paying awards, while aged care has historically been undervalued.

Beyond the minimum: what affects actual pay

It's important to remember that the award sets a floor, not a ceiling. Many aged care employers pay above the minimum, especially for experienced workers or those in specialised roles. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Additionally, penalty rates for evening, weekend, or public holiday work can boost take-home pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help you calculate your exact entitlements.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of the base salary. So while the salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, total remuneration including super is higher. For example, a direct care level 3 (Qualified) earning $1,376.70 per week ($71,588.40 per year) would also receive about $8,590.60 in super, making total compensation around $80,179.

For tax, the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, etc. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. An aged care worker earning $65,000 per year would pay roughly $9,667 in tax plus $1,300 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $54,033. The how the index works page explains these calculations in more detail.

State-by-state context

Aged care workers are employed across Australia, and state indexes vary. For example, NSW has an index of 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6. But the award rates are national, so an aged care worker in NSW or Tasmania earns the same minimum base pay. The difference in state indexes reflects the mix of industries in each state, not the award itself.

Key takeaways

• The aged care worker salary under the award ranges from an index of about 50.6 to 74.0, well below the national average of 100.
• These are minimum rates; actual pay may be higher due to above-award agreements or penalty rates.
• The salary index helps you see where any wage sits relative to the Australian full-time worker benchmark.
• For the most up-to-date rates, always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or the Fair Work Commission's database.

Understanding where an aged care worker salary sits on the index is a useful way to compare pay across industries and roles. It puts the numbers in perspective against the broader economy.