Childcare Award rate calculator

Look up a rate. Compare retention payments. See what needs checking.

July 2026 rates · Adult permanent employeesSources checked 18 September 2026

Independent guide—not an official payroll calculation.

Does this guide apply?

This is a lookup of the July 2026 national Award tables for adult permanent employees, not a check of an employee’s pay period, coverage or agreement. Casual, junior and other special rates are not included. State-system employers need different rules.

Agreements, existing pay and additional entitlements may require more. Confirm the applicable Award and classification before using a figure. Check workplace coverage or use Fair Work’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

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Full scope, limitations and privacy

This independent guide from The Childcare Bookkeeper is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fair Work, the Fair Work Commission or the Department of Education. It is not legal advice, a classification assessment or a check of Award coverage, an agreement or an individual pay period.

It looks up selected July 2026 national Award rates for adult permanent employees. It does not calculate casual or junior rates, traineeships, apprenticeships, overtime, penalties, allowances (including educational leader or director allowances), leave, tax or super. Agreements, existing pay, higher duties and other entitlements may require more. Do not reduce agreed pay to a displayed figure.

Retention comparisons are published references—not a final wage, cash top-up or service grant entitlement. Check the workplace instrument, existing wages, grant timing and employment history separately. Source transcription has not received an independent workplace-relations review.

Sources checked 18 September 2026; review due by 31 October 2026. Rates can change. An overdue review triggers a visible warning. December extension calculations are not supported.

Calculations run in your browser. Usage analytics record Award category and result status, not wage amounts, hours or employment history. No email or employee-identifying information is required.

Browse the July 2026 Award rate tables

Adult permanent rates, excluding additional entitlements. These standard tables do not replace the transitional checks in the calculator. Published weekly figures can differ from the rounded hourly rate multiplied by 38.

Children’s Services Award — MA000120
Classification	Hourly	Weekly
Level 1 — Introductory Educator	$28.81	$1,094.80
Level 2 — Educator	$29.69	$1,128.40
Level 3 — Qualified Educator	$32.47	$1,233.90
Level 4 — Experienced Educator	$34.65	$1,316.70
Level 5 — Advanced Educator	$36.57	$1,389.50
Level 6 — Room Leader	$38.25	$1,453.50
Level 7 — Assistant Director	$40.00	$1,519.90
Level 8 — Director	$46.12	$1,752.70
Support worker 1.1 — On commencement	$26.44	$1,004.90
Support worker 2.1 — On commencement	$26.93	$1,023.40
Support worker 2.2 — After one year	$27.82	$1,057.00
Support worker 3.1 — On commencement	$29.45	$1,119.10

Former Level 4A employees have a separate transitional rate under Schedule I.3. Schedule I.4 retained-rate comparisons also apply to specified former classifications. Read the Award and Schedule I.

Teachers Award — long day care
Classification	Hourly	Weekly
Teacher level 1	$39.83	$1,513.60
Teacher level 2	$43.54	$1,654.40
Teacher level 3	$47.39	$1,801.00
Teacher level 4	$51.26	$1,947.70
Teacher level 5	$55.11	$2,094.30

Teachers Award — preschool / school rate reference
Classification	Hourly	Weekly
Teacher level 1	$38.30	$1,455.40
Teacher level 2	$41.86	$1,590.70
Teacher level 3	$45.57	$1,731.70
Teacher level 4	$49.28	$1,872.70
Teacher level 5	$52.99	$2,013.70

Teacher levels depend on the Award’s classification and progression rules. The long-day-care table includes its setting adjustment; do not add it again. School employment is not supported by this calculator’s input flow. Read the Teachers Award.

Common questions

Is this an official Fair Work calculator?

No. This independent tool from The Childcare Bookkeeper is a general guide to selected published rates. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fair Work, the Fair Work Commission or the Department of Education. Check the official instruments and seek advice before setting pay.

Does it calculate a complete payslip?

No. It shows adult permanent ordinary-rate benchmarks, not take-home pay or a complete payroll amount. It excludes casual loading, overtime, penalties, allowances, leave calculations, tax and super. Agreements and existing pay can require more.

When do the July 2026 Award rates apply?

The Award edition applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, not simply the date wages are paid. A pay period starting earlier needs the previous edition, which this tool does not calculate. Retention grant timing must be checked separately.

Is retention an extra 15% on today’s Award rate?

Do not calculate it that way. Use the published retention tables and the applicable grant and workplace-instrument rules. The total minimum and the grant-funded contribution are different figures; the contribution can form part of the total. Existing wages may require a separate check.

Why does the tool ask about the former classification?

Children’s Services classifications changed in March 2026. An employee’s former classification can affect the transitional Award rate and the retention table row. A new current level alone does not identify all of those rules.

What happens to retention payments after November 2026?

The program is extended to 30 June 2028, with the extension beginning on 1 December 2026. This version does not calculate retention rates for the extension period until its calculation rules have been verified. That limit is not the program end date.

Official sources and rate edition

Data version 2026-07-01.v1. Award consolidations: 1 July 2026. Pay guides: effective 1 July 2026, published 24 June 2026. Grant guidelines: July edition, updated 14 July 2026 (Schedule A, Tables 12–14; sections 4.3 and 5.3).

Found a possible error? Email info@childcarebookkeeper.com.au with the classification, rate edition and source. Please do not send employee-identifying information.