Childcare Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index
Understand childcare salary in Australia using the Salary Index. See award rates, national benchmarks, and how pay compares to the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line.
Childcare salary sits below the national index line, with award minima around index 59 for a qualified educator, though actual earnings vary and median data is not available.
What is a childcare salary?
A childcare salary is the pay earned by workers who provide care, supervision, and development for children in settings such as long day care centres, family day care, out-of-school hours care, and kindergartens. In Australia, most childcare workers are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010, which sets minimum wages for roles from introductory educator to director. The term 'childcare salary' is often used by job seekers, employers, and policy makers to understand typical earnings in this female-dominated industry.
Where does childcare salary sit on the Australian Salary Index?
The Salary Index compares a worker's gross annual salary to the national benchmark of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. That benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). An index of 100 means the salary matches the national line; below 100 means below average.
For childcare, the most common benchmark is the award minimum for a qualified educator (Children's Services Employee Level 3). As of 1 July 2026, that rate is $1,233.90 per week, or about $64,163 per year. This gives an index of approximately 59. Even with above-award pay, most childcare roles sit well below 100. For comparison, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($52,255 per year, index 48.2).
It is important to note that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for child care workers at the six-digit ANZSCO level, so the index figure here is based on award minima rather than a true market median. Actual salaries can be higher, especially for experienced educators, room leaders, or directors.
Award rates for childcare workers
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Children's Services Award 2010, which includes a classification structure from Level 1 (Introductory Educator) to Level 8 (Director). Key minimum weekly rates from 1 July 2026 are:
- Level 1 – Introductory Educator: $1,094.80 per week ($28.81 per hour)
- Level 2 – Educator: $1,128.40 ($29.69)
- Level 3 – Qualified Educator: $1,233.90 ($32.47)
- Level 4 – Experienced Educator: $1,316.70 ($34.65)
- Level 5 – Advanced Educator: $1,389.50 ($36.57)
- Level 6 – Room Leader: $1,453.50 ($38.25)
- Level 7 – Assistant Director: $1,519.90 ($40.00)
- Level 8 – Director: $1,752.70 ($46.12)
Support workers (e.g., cooks, cleaners) have separate rates starting at $1,004.90 per week ($26.44 per hour). Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of these hourly rates.
How childcare salary compares across states and industries
The Salary Index also tracks state and industry benchmarks. For example, the national index for Health care and social assistance is 97.8, while Education and training is 105.5. Childcare sits within both these sectors, but its award-based pay is significantly lower than the industry averages, which include higher-paid professionals such as nurses and teachers.
State indices vary: New South Wales is 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9, and the Australian Capital Territory 109.9. A childcare worker on award rates in any state would still be below the state line, though cost-of-living differences may affect real take-home value.
Superannuation and tax considerations
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of the base salary (from 1 July 2026). For a qualified educator earning $64,163, that adds about $7,700 in super contributions per year. The super guarantee is not included in the salary index, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings.
Income tax for 2026–27 (resident, with tax-free threshold) is:
- $0–$18,200: nil
- $18,201–$45,000: 15%
- $45,001–$135,000: 30%
- $135,001–$190,000: 37%
- Above $190,000: 45%
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A qualified educator on $64,163 would pay approximately $11,177 in tax plus Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $52,986 per year (excluding HELP or other deductions).
Where to find more information
For the latest award rates, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman. For occupation data, see Jobs and Skills Australia. The Modern Awards Pay Database from the Fair Work Commission provides downloadable classification and penalty rate data.
To see how other roles compare, browse our pay guides or explore states and industries on the Salary Index.
Questions people ask
What is the average childcare salary in Australia?
There is no published median salary for child care workers (ANZSCO 421111) from official sources. However, the minimum award rate for a qualified educator (Level 3) is $1,233.90 per week, which equates to an annualised salary of about $64,163 before tax and super. Many educators earn above award, especially those with a diploma or degree, or in leadership roles such as room leader or director.
How does childcare salary compare to the national average?
Using the Salary Index (where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year), the award minimum for a qualified educator at $64,163 gives an index of about 59. This is well below the national line. Even with above-award pay, most childcare roles sit below index 100, reflecting the industry's lower average earnings compared to sectors like mining (index 154.7) or professional services (index 114.7).
What is the hourly rate for a childcare worker under the award?
Under the Children's Services Award 2010, hourly rates from 1 July 2026 range from $26.44 for a Support Worker Level 1.1 to $46.12 for a Director Level 8. A qualified educator (Level 3) earns $32.47 per hour. Casual workers receive a 25% loading, making the casual qualified educator rate $40.59 per hour. These are minimum rates; actual pay may be higher.