Aged Care Award pay rates 2026–27
Aged care: carer, nursing home or home care support. Award code MA000018. Adult hourly rates from the Fair Work pay guide.
Casual Direct care Level 2, direct carer, per hour, including the 25% casual loading.
Casual rates
| Level | Afternoon shift (starts 10am to 1pm) | Night shift (starts 4pm to 4am) | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct care Level 1, introductory | $44.02 | $45.65 | $57.07 | $65.22 | $89.68 |
| Direct care Level 2, direct carer | $46.47 | $48.19 | $60.24 | $68.84 | $94.66 |
| Direct care Level 3, qualified | $48.91 | $50.72 | $63.40 | $72.46 | $99.63 |
| Direct care Level 4, senior | $50.87 | $52.75 | $65.94 | $75.36 | $103.62 |
| Direct care Level 5, specialist | $52.83 | $54.78 | $68.48 | $78.26 | $107.61 |
| Direct care Level 6, team leader | $54.78 | $56.81 | $71.02 | $81.16 | $111.60 |
| General Level 1 | $37.49 | $38.88 | $48.60 | $55.54 | $76.37 |
| General Level 2 | $38.97 | $40.42 | $50.52 | $57.74 | $79.39 |
| General Level 3 | $40.47 | $41.97 | $52.47 | $59.96 | $82.45 |
| General Level 4 | $40.96 | $42.48 | $53.10 | $60.68 | $83.44 |
| General Level 5 | $42.34 | $43.90 | $54.88 | $62.72 | $86.24 |
| General Level 6 | $44.62 | $46.27 | $57.84 | $66.10 | $90.89 |
| General Level 7 | $45.43 | $47.11 | $58.89 | $67.30 | $92.54 |
Full-time and part-time rates
| Level | Afternoon shift (starts 10am to 1pm) | Night shift (starts 4pm to 4am) | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct care Level 1, introductory | $35.87 | $37.50 | $48.92 | $57.07 | $81.53 |
| Direct care Level 2, direct carer | $37.86 | $39.58 | $51.63 | $60.24 | $86.05 |
| Direct care Level 3, qualified | $39.85 | $41.66 | $54.35 | $63.40 | $90.58 |
| Direct care Level 4, senior | $41.45 | $43.33 | $56.52 | $65.94 | $94.20 |
| Direct care Level 5, specialist | $43.04 | $45.00 | $58.70 | $68.48 | $97.83 |
| Direct care Level 6, team leader | $44.64 | $46.67 | $60.87 | $71.02 | $101.45 |
| General Level 1 | $30.55 | $31.94 | $41.66 | $48.60 | $69.43 |
| General Level 2 | $31.76 | $33.20 | $43.31 | $50.52 | $72.18 |
| General Level 3 | $32.98 | $34.48 | $44.97 | $52.47 | $74.95 |
| General Level 4 | $33.37 | $34.89 | $45.51 | $53.10 | $75.85 |
| General Level 5 | $34.50 | $36.06 | $47.04 | $54.88 | $78.40 |
| General Level 6 | $36.36 | $38.01 | $49.58 | $57.84 | $82.63 |
| General Level 7 | $37.02 | $38.70 | $50.48 | $58.89 | $84.13 |
Amounts after a + are flat allowances per hour on top of the rate. Overtime, minimum shifts and part-time rules are worked out in the calculator and the app.
Check a week of shifts
By day: Saturday · Sunday · Public holiday · Night and late
Common questions
How much is a casual Direct care Level 2, direct carer paid under the Aged Care Award?
$46.47 an hour Monday to Friday, $60.24 on Saturday, $68.84 on Sunday and $94.66 on a public holiday (adult rates, 2026–27, including the 25% casual loading).
What is the minimum shift for a casual?
2 hours: if you're sent home earlier you're still paid for 2 hours.
Who is covered?
Aged care: carer, nursing home or home care support. Some big employers use an enterprise agreement instead; it's on your contract or payslip.
When do the new rates start?
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year, after the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.