Aged Care Support Worker Salary: Award Minimums and What You Need to Know

Understanding the Aged Care Support Worker Salary

When people search for an "aged care support worker salary", they are often looking for a single figure that tells them what they can expect to earn. In Australia, the answer depends on which pay floor applies, and there are several layers to untangle. This guide explains the legal minimums, award rates, and how they compare to other benchmarks.

The Legal Minimum Under the Aged Care Award

Most aged care support workers are covered by the Aged Care Award 2010, which is a modern award set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award and a pay guide that shows the minimum rates. For a direct care employee at Level 2 (the classification most relevant for a support worker), the minimum weekly wage is $1,307.80 as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. That works out to $34.42 per hour for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the casual rate $43.03 per hour.

These rates are higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) because the award sets a higher floor for this type of work. The national minimum wage is a backstop that applies only to award-free employees. Since the Aged Care Award covers most aged care employers and their employees, the award rate is the relevant legal minimum for support workers.

How the Award Classifications Work

The award has two main streams: general employees and direct care employees. Direct care employees are those who provide personal care or support to residents, such as assistance with daily activities. The direct care stream has six levels, from Introductory (Level 1) to Team Leader (Level 6). A typical support worker would be classified at Level 2 (Direct Carer) or Level 3 (Qualified) if they hold a relevant certificate. The minimum weekly rates for these levels are:

• Direct Care Level 1 (Introductory): $1,239.00 per week ($32.61 per hour)
• Direct Care Level 2 (Direct Carer): $1,307.80 per week ($34.42 per hour)
• Direct Care Level 3 (Qualified): $1,376.70 per week ($36.23 per hour)

These rates are the legal minimums. An employer can pay more under an enterprise agreement or an individual contract, but cannot pay less.

What About Superannuation?

When discussing an aged care support worker salary, it is important to remember that superannuation is paid on top. The Superannuation Guarantee requires employers to contribute 12% of ordinary time earnings to a complying super fund. So the total employment cost is higher than the wage figure. For example, on the Level 2 rate of $1,307.80 per week, the employer must also pay $156.94 in super, making the total cost $1,464.74 per week.

How Does This Compare to Survey Averages?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data, but it does not provide a specific figure for "aged care support worker salary". The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week across all industries, and all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These averages include many higher-paid occupations, so they are not a direct comparison. The award minimum for a support worker is below these averages, which is typical for a caring occupation. Actual salaries can vary depending on experience, qualifications, shift work, and whether the employer has an enterprise agreement that pays above the award.

Factors That Affect Actual Pay

While the award sets the minimum, many aged care providers pay above it. Enterprise agreements often include higher base rates or additional allowances. Shift penalties for evening, night, and weekend work can also boost take-home pay. The award provides penalty rates of 50% for Saturday, 75% for Sunday, and 150% for public holidays. Overtime after 2 hours on weekdays is paid at 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter. These loadings can significantly increase weekly earnings for those who work non-standard hours.

Where to Find More Information

To check the exact minimum rate for your classification, you can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or refer to the Aged Care Award pay guide. For a broader overview of how minimum wages work in Australia, see our Which minimum wage applies page. Detailed rate tables for various awards and classifications are available on our Rate tables page.

Summary

The legal minimum for an aged care support worker salary under the Aged Care Award is $1,307.80 per week or $34.42 per hour for a direct care employee at Level 2. This is higher than the national minimum wage and applies to most workers in the industry. Superannuation is paid on top. Actual earnings can be higher due to enterprise agreements, penalty rates, and overtime. Always check the specific award or agreement that covers your workplace to know your exact entitlements.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.