From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the Children’s Services Award sets adult minimum rates from $28.81 an hour ($1,094.80 a week) for a Level 1 Introductory Educator, to $32.47 ($1,233.90) for a certificate III Qualified Educator, $36.57 ($1,389.50) for a diploma-qualified Advanced Educator, and $46.12 ($1,752.70) for a Level 8 Director. These are the eight levels introduced on 1 March 2026. Casual employees get a 25% loading on the hourly rate (clause 10.5), with a minimum 2-hour engagement. These are minimums before penalties, allowances and any Worker Retention Payment increases.
The 2026–27 minimum pay rates under the Children’s Services Award for childcare educators, room leaders, assistant directors and directors, with the qualification and experience each level requires.
| Level | Who it covers (Schedule B summary) | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, Introductory Educator | Works directly with children; less than 12 months’ experience | $1,094.80 | $28.81 | $36.01 |
| Level 2, Educator | Works directly with children; at least 12 months’ experience | $1,128.40 | $29.69 | $37.11 |
| Level 3, Qualified Educator | Approved certificate III | $1,233.90 | $32.47 | $40.59 |
| Level 4, Experienced Educator | Certificate III plus 4 years’ post-qualification experience at Level 3 | $1,316.70 | $34.65 | $43.31 |
| Level 5, Advanced Educator | Diploma, or an equivalent approved OSHC qualification | $1,389.50 | $36.57 | $45.71 |
| Level 6, Room Leader | Appointed room leader, or in OSHC assisting a Level 7 or 8 | $1,453.50 | $38.25 | $47.81 |
| Level 7, Assistant Director | Assistant director, FDC co-ordinator, school age care co-ordinator and similar roles, with an AQF level 5 or 6 qualification or equivalent | $1,519.90 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Level 8, Director | Director of a service, with a relevant degree or other qualification or equivalent | $1,752.70 | $46.12 | $57.65 |
Source: Children’s Services Award 2010, clause 14.1(b) and Schedule B.1. *The casual rate is calculated here as the hourly rate plus the 25% loading in clause 10.5. Check the exact published casual figures in the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, which also lists penalty, shift and overtime rates. The award table refers some levels to Schedule I (I.3 and I.4) for employees with retained or translated rates from the 1 March 2026 restructure.
The award’s qualification levels line up with the National Regulations’ qualification rules but are separate from them. Which educators count in ratios is decided by regulation 126 and the working towards rule in regulation 10, not by the award.
Early childhood teachers are generally covered by a different instrument, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, or by an enterprise agreement. Check coverage with the Fair Work Ombudsman. The NQF rules on when an ECT must be employed are in early childhood teacher requirements.
Services that take up the Commonwealth Worker Retention Payment grant pass wage increases to eligible staff on top of the award and accept fee growth conditions. See Worker Retention Payment. The award rates above are the legal floor whether or not a service is in the program.
Award meal breaks and rest pauses have to be covered without falling out of ratio. See educator breaks, the award and ratios.
Under the Children's Services Award from 1 July 2026, the adult minimum is $28.81 an hour for a Level 1 Introductory Educator, $32.47 for a certificate III Qualified Educator and $36.57 for a diploma-qualified Advanced Educator, before penalties, allowances and any Worker Retention Payment increases.
25% on the hourly rate for each ordinary hour, with a minimum of two hours' pay per engagement (clause 10.5).
Level 8, Director: $1,752.70 a week or $46.12 an hour from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
The Children's Services Employee classifications were restructured into Levels 1 to 8 from 1 March 2026, with transitional and retained-rate arrangements in Schedule I.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
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