What is the minimum wage for an early childhood educator in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the classification under the Children's Services Award 2010. From 1 March 2026, a Level 1 Introductory Educator must be paid at least $26.19 per hour, while a Level 3 Qualified Educator receives $29.52 per hour. Eligible workers covered by the worker retention payment must receive at least 15% above the award rate, raising the Level 3 rate to $32.34 per hour. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies only if the award does not cover the employee.

How does the worker retention payment affect my pay?

The worker retention payment (WRP) is a government-funded wage subsidy that providers must pass on to eligible workers. From 1 December 2025, eligible early childhood educators must be paid at least 15% above the applicable award rate. For example, a Level 2 Educator under the Children's Services Award 2010 must receive at least $29.57 per hour from 1 March 2026, which includes the WRP boost. The additional minimum amount of WRP funds is shown in the Department of Education's rate tables.

Are early childhood educators covered by an award?

Yes, most early childhood educators in long day care, preschools, and outside school hours care are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010. The Fair Work Commission updated this award from 1 March 2026 with a new classification structure and higher minimum rates following a gender-based undervaluation review. Teachers in early childhood settings may be covered by the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020. Always check your employment contract and the applicable award or enterprise agreement.

Early childhood educator salary: award rates, worker retention payments, and what you take home

The minimum early childhood educator salary depends on the award classification and whether the worker retention payment applies; from 1 March 2026, a Level 3 Qualified Educator under the Children's Services Award 2010 receives at least $29.52 per hour, plus 12% super.

Understanding the early childhood educator salary landscape

The early childhood educator salary in Australia is shaped by a combination of modern award minimums, government-funded worker retention payments, and enterprise agreements. Unlike many occupations where the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) sets the floor, most educators in long day care, preschools, and outside school hours care are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010. This award, following a landmark gender-based undervaluation review by the Fair Work Commission, introduced a new classification structure and higher minimum rates from 1 March 2026 . Additionally, eligible educators in services receiving the Australian Government's worker retention payment (WRP) must be paid at least 15% above the award rate . This guide breaks down the legal minimum, the impact of the WRP, and what you can expect to take home after tax and super.

Legal minimums: award rates and the national minimum

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. However, most early childhood educators are covered by the Children's Services Award 2010, which sets higher minimum rates. From 1 March 2026, the award introduced eight new Children's Services Employee (CSE) levels, replacing the previous 36 classifications . For example:

CSE Level 1 – Introductory Educator: $26.19 per hour
CSE Level 2 – Educator: $27.00 per hour
CSE Level 3 – Qualified Educator: $29.52 per hour
CSE Level 8 – Director: $41.93 per hour

These rates are the award minimums. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower. Note that the award rates from 1 March 2026 are slightly below the national minimum for the lowest classification (Level 1 at $26.19 vs $26.44), but the award backstop ensures that no ongoing classification falls below the national minimum. After the 1 July 2026 annual wage review, award rates will increase by 4.75%, so the lowest CSE rate will rise above $26.44. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on how award rates interact with the national minimum.

The worker retention payment and its impact

The Australian Government's worker retention payment is a wage subsidy paid to providers, who must pass it on to eligible workers as a wage increase. From 1 December 2025, eligible workers must receive at least 15% above the applicable award rate . For workers engaged on or after 1 March 2026, the minimum rates including the WRP are:

CSE Level 1 – Introductory Educator: $28.69 per hour
CSE Level 2 – Educator: $29.57 per hour
CSE Level 3 – Qualified Educator: $32.34 per hour
CSE Level 8 – Director: $45.93 per hour

These rates apply until 30 June 2026, after which the WRP may be extended or replaced. For workers engaged before 1 March 2026, transitional arrangements apply to ensure total hourly rates are maintained. The WRP is a significant boost: a Level 3 Qualified Educator receives $2.82 per hour extra (the additional minimum amount of WRP funds). This means the early childhood educator salary for a qualified educator is now well above the national minimum.

How does the early childhood educator salary compare to average earnings?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) May 2026 data, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. A Level 3 Qualified Educator working 38 hours at the award rate of $29.52 per hour earns $1,121.76 per week before tax and super. With the WRP, that rises to $1,228.92 per week. This is below the national average for full-time workers but reflects the historical undervaluation of the sector. The Fair Work Commission's decision acknowledged this gender-based undervaluation and granted increases for work value reasons . Negotiated salaries, particularly for directors and lead educators, can exceed award rates significantly.

Tax and super: what you actually take home

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a Level 3 Qualified Educator earning $29.52 per hour ($1,121.76 per week), the employer must contribute an additional $134.61 per week into your super fund. Your take-home pay after tax depends on your total annual income and tax bracket. Using the 2026-27 tax rates with the full tax-free threshold, a single educator earning $58,331 annually (award rate for Level 3) would pay approximately $8,667 in tax plus $1,167 in Medicare levy (2% of taxable income above $30,000), leaving about $48,497 per year or $932 per week. This is a rough estimate; the low-income tax offset and other factors can reduce tax. For a more precise calculation, see our How the figures work guide.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many early childhood educators are employed under enterprise agreements that set rates above the award. For example, some large providers offer rates 10–20% above award to attract and retain staff. The worker retention payment is separate and must be passed on even if you are paid above award. If your agreement already pays 15% above award, you may not need an additional increase, but you must still receive the additional minimum amount (5% of award rate) from 1 December 2025 . Always check your employment contract and the applicable award or agreement. For more on which pay floor applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies and our Rate tables.

The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the full classification and pay tables for the Children's Services Award 2010 . Remember that the rates in this guide are from 1 March 2026 and may be superseded by the July 2026 annual wage review. Award rates increase by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, so the figures above will rise accordingly. Always refer to the latest award or your enterprise agreement for your exact rate.