Am I Being Paid Correctly?

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June 12, 2026

min read

Fevina Carron D'Souza

Direct answer

How do I know if I'm being paid correctly as a childcare educator in Australia?

Your pay is set by one of two modern awards: the Children's Services Award (MA000120) or the Educational Services (Teachers) Award (MA000077). From 1 March 2026 the Children's Services Award moved to a simplified eight-level structure, and from 1 July 2026 both awards received a further wage increase. Below you can look up your exact level — whether you know your qualification or only your old classification code — and see the dollar rate that should be on your payslip right now. If it doesn't match, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.

Most educators have wondered about this at some point. You look at your payslip, see a level or a rate you don't fully recognise, and think — is that right? Should it be higher? A lot of centres are still catching up on two changes that landed in the same year, and the gap between what's on your payslip and what you're owed usually comes down to one of those two changes not being applied yet.

By qualification

By my old classification code

Award

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Your old Children's Services Award code

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STEP ONE‍

Which Award Covers Your Role?

Your pay and conditions are governed by one of two modern awards. Getting this right is the starting point for everything else.

Children's Services Award 2010 — MA000120

Covers the majority of the ECEC workforce, including Certificate III and Diploma educators, room leaders, assistant directors, directors, family day care educators, OSHC and vacation care educators, and cooks required to work directly with children.

Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020 — MA000077

Applies specifically to Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) — university-qualified teachers employed in a teaching role, including graduate teachers and those with provisional or conditional registration.

Common mix-up

Holding a Diploma does not put you on the Teachers Award. That award is exclusively for university-qualified teachers. Diploma-qualified educators, room leaders and directors all sit on the Children's Services Award.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES AWARD‍

Your July 2026 rate, by level

These are the minimum weekly and hourly rates effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Full-time & part-time — adult rates

Level	Weekly	Hourly
Level 1 – Introductory educator	$1,094.80	$28.81
Level 2 – Educator	$1,128.40	$29.69
Level 3 – Qualified educator (Cert III)	$1,233.90	$32.47
Level 4 – Experienced educator	$1,316.70	$34.65
Level 5 – Advanced educator (Diploma)	$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

Casual — hourly (includes casual loading)

Level	Hourly
Level 1	$36.01
Level 2	$37.11
Level 3	$40.59
Level 4	$43.31
Level 5	$45.71
Level 6	$47.81
Level 7	$50.00
Level 8	$57.65

Support workers (e.g. cooks) sit on a separate scale from $26.44/hr full-time. Junior and apprentice rates apply under 18 or during a traineeship.

A note for OSHC educators

OSHC and vacation care services use equivalent qualifications to long day care. A Diploma-level qualification in school age education and care meets the requirement for CSE Level 5. Leadership roles in OSHC are recognised at Levels 6, 7, and 8 in line with equivalent responsibilities.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (TEACHERS) AWARD‍

ECT rates — long day care centres

This structure wasn't changed by the 2026 classification review — it's still five levels based on registration status and teaching service.

Full-time & part-time — adult rates

Level	Weekly	Hourly
Level 1 – Graduate teacher	$1,513.60	$39.83
Level 2 – Proficient teacher	$1,654.40	$43.54
Level 3 – Experienced proficient teacher	$1,801.00	$47.39
Level 4 – Senior teacher	$1,947.70	$51.26
Level 5 – Highly accomplished / Lead teacher	$2,094.30	$55.11

Standalone preschool or school settings use a different schedule under the same award — check with your director which one applies to you.

THE CLASSIFICATION TRANSITION

What your old code translates to

Before 2026, the Children's Services Award used more than 30 pay points. From 1 March 2026 that was replaced with eight simplified CSE levels under Schedule I of the amended award. Here's the full translation:

Old classification → new CSE level

Old code	New level
1.1, 1.2, 1.3	Level 1 – Introductory educator
2.1, 2.2, 3A.1, 3A.2	Level 2 – Educator
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 (under 4 yrs at Level 3)	Level 3 – Qualified educator
3.3 (4+ yrs at Level 3)	Level 4 – Experienced educator
3.4	Level 5 – Advanced educator
4A.1, 4A.2, 4A.3, 4A.4, 4A.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3	Level 6 – Room leader
5A.1, 5A.2, 5A.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4	Level 7 – Assistant director / Coordinator
6A.1, 6A.2, 6A.3, 6.1–6.9	Level 8 – Director

If you were on 4A as of 28 February 2026

You moved to Level 6 – Room Leader from 1 March 2026, with a transitional rate applying until 30 June 2026 and the full Level 6 rate from 1 July 2026. If your payslip still shows 4A, that's worth raising.

If you were hired for a 4A / Room Leader role but hadn't started work yet

The transitional protection above only applies if you were actually employed and working under 4A on 28 February 2026. If your employment hadn't commenced by that date, you're classified fresh under the new structure based on your actual qualifications and experience when you start — which, if you're new to the sector or the role, may mean Level 1 or Level 2 rather than Level 6. Check with your employer which situation applies to you.

Source: Fair Work Commission determination, Schedule I – Classification Translation Arrangements. Teachers Award classifications were not affected by this review.

HOW TO CHECK

Four Ways to Confirm Your Classification Right Now

1. Check your payslip

Your employer must record your award name and classification level on every payslip. Missing, incorrect, or still showing an old-format level? That's your first signal.

2. Use the Fair Work PACT tool

The Pay and Conditions Tool calculates your minimum rate based on your award, classification and employment type — free, a few minutes.

3. Read the award directly

The full text of the Children's Services Award and Teachers Award is free at fairwork.gov.au.

4. Call the Fair Work Ombudsman

Phone 13 13 94 — free and confidential.

IF SOMETHING LOOKS WRONG

What to Do If Your Classification Is Incorrect

The 2026 transition hasn't been seamless everywhere. Some employers have been slow to apply the new structure or the July increase.

Check with your employer for clarification first — most discrepancies come down to timing, paperwork, or outdated records rather than a mistake, and this is almost always the fastest way to resolve it
Make sure your own qualification and experience details are correct and up to date with your employer — if they're not, provide the correct information so your classification (and pay) can be corrected
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if it's still unresolved after speaking with your employer — anonymously online or on 13 13 94
Keep a record of your qualifications, classification, and any conversations about it

You're entitled to be paid correctly for your qualifications, experience and responsibilities. That's exactly what the award exists to guarantee.

QuickCare automatically tracks educator classifications and flags compliance issues before they become a problem. See pricing or book a free demo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Send us a message above.

What is the difference between the Children's Services Award and the Teachers Award?

The Children's Services Award (MA000120) covers most educators — Certificate III and Diploma holders, room leaders, assistant directors and directors. The Teachers Award (MA000077) covers Early Childhood Teachers with a university teaching qualification. A Diploma alone doesn't move you to the Teachers Award.

What changed with childcare award classifications in March 2026?

The Fair Work Commission replaced the old 30-plus pay-point structure with eight simplified CSE levels, based on qualification, experience and role, as part of its Gender-Based Undervaluation Priority Review.

What is CSE Level 3 in childcare, and what does it pay from 1 July 2026?

Level 3 — Qualified Educator — applies to Cert III holders working directly with children. From 1 July 2026 it pays $1,233.90/week full-time ($32.47/hr), or $40.59/hr casual.

What level should a Diploma-qualified educator be on?

Diploma-qualified educators sit at Level 5 – Advanced Educator, paying $1,389.50/week full-time ($36.57/hr) from 1 July 2026.

What happened to educators classified at Level 4A?

Level 4A (Group Leader/Lead Educator) moved to Level 6 – Room Leader from 1 March 2026, with a transitional rate until 30 June 2026 and the full Level 6 rate from 1 July 2026.