Childcare worker salary: state and industry differences explained

What does a childcare worker earn in Australia?

When you search for a childcare worker salary, the first thing to know is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this occupation. That means we cannot point to a single "average" number. Instead, we look at the award rates that set the legal minimum, and we examine how the role sits within the national earnings landscape using the Salary Index.

The Salary Index compares yearly gross pay to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark. That benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352, which is an index of 100. A childcare worker on the lowest award classification earns about $28.81 per hour, or $1,094.80 per week full-time. That annualises to roughly $56,930, giving an index of about 53 — well below the national line. Even a qualified educator at Level 3 ($32.47/hr, $1,233.90/week) has an index around 59. Only a Director at Level 8 ($46.12/hr, $1,752.70/week) reaches an index of about 84, still below 100.

These are minimum rates. Actual pay can be higher, especially for experienced staff or in centres that pay above award. But the award floor is the starting point for understanding the childcare worker salary landscape.

Award rates under the Children's Services Award

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Children's Services Award (MA000120), updated from 1 July 2026 after a 4.75% increase. The award covers child care workers in long day care, occasional care, and similar settings. Key full-time and part-time hourly rates:

• Level 1 – Introductory educator: $28.81
• Level 2 – Educator: $29.69
• Level 3 – Qualified educator: $32.47
• Level 4 – Experienced educator: $34.65
• Level 5 – Advanced educator: $36.57
• Level 6 – Room leader: $38.25
• Level 7 – Assistant director: $40.00
• Level 8 – Director: $46.12

Casual employees receive a 25% loading. For example, a casual Level 3 Qualified educator earns $40.59 per hour. These rates are the minimum; some employers pay more, especially in areas with labour shortages.

State differences in childcare worker employment

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the distribution of Child Care Workers across states is uneven:

• New South Wales: 31.2%
• Victoria: 27.4%
• Queensland: 21.8%
• South Australia: 6.5%
• Western Australia: 1.6%
• Australian Capital Territory: 2.4%

Western Australia has a very low share (1.6%) despite having the second-highest state earnings index (106.9). This suggests that the childcare industry is concentrated in the eastern states where overall earnings are closer to the national average. The states page on Salary Index shows NSW at 101.2, Victoria at 98, and Queensland at 97.9. These indices are near the national line, but childcare workers are typically paid below the state average because the occupation sits in lower-paid industries.

Industry context

Childcare workers are employed mainly in Health Care and Social Assistance and Education and Training. The industries page shows that Education and Training has an index of 105.5, slightly above the national line, while Health Care and Social Assistance is at 97.8, just below. However, within those industries, childcare roles are at the lower end of the pay scale. For comparison, the Retail trade industry index is 75.9, and Accommodation and food services is 72.5 — both lower than the typical childcare award rate index of around 55–60.

How the salary index applies to childcare workers

The how the index works page explains that the index is a ratio of yearly gross pay to the national benchmark. For a full-time childcare worker on the Level 3 award rate:

• Weekly: $1,233.90
• Annual: $64,163 (52 weeks)
• Index: 64,163 ÷ 108,352 × 100 ≈ 59.2

This is well below the national line of 100. Even a Director on $46.12/hr ($1,752.70/week, $91,140/year) has an index of about 84. The national minimum wage itself is at index 48.2, so childcare workers are above the minimum but still in the lower half of the earnings distribution.

What about super and tax?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% from 1 July 2026 on top of the salary. For a Level 3 educator earning $64,163, that adds about $7,700 in super. Income tax for a resident (2026–27 rates) on $64,163 would be roughly $11,717 plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,283), leaving take-home pay around $51,163. These are estimates; individual circumstances vary.

Where to find more

For the latest award rates, check the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For occupation data, see Jobs and Skills Australia. And for comparing any salary to the national line, use the Salary Index topics page.

The childcare worker salary is not a single number, but the award structure gives a clear floor. State and industry differences matter more for where the jobs are than for the minimum pay itself. If you're considering this career, remember that qualifications and experience can move you up the levels — and that the index helps you see where you stand against the broader workforce.