Aged Care Award 2010 — free pay & rights calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Aged Care Award 2010?

  Under the Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018) for 2025–26, estimated rates start at approximately AUD $27.00 per hour for Level 1 (entry-level personal care workers and home care employees), rising to approximately $35.36/hour for Level 6 (professional/senior coordinators). These rates incorporate the Fair Work Commission Equal Remuneration Order (15% phased increase completed 2024) and the Annual Wage Review 2025. Verify exact current rates at fairwork.gov.au or by calling the Fair Work Ombudsman on 1300 724 690.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Aged Care Award 2010?

  The Aged Care Award 2010 does not enhance the National Employment Standards (NES) redundancy scale. Under Fair Work Act 2009 Schedule 4 (s.119), genuine redundancy pay ranges from 4 weeks (1 year of service) to 16 weeks (9 years), with 12 weeks for 10 or more years (capped). Small business employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from NES redundancy pay. Contact the United Workers Union, ANMF, or the Fair Work Ombudsman (1300 724 690) if you believe an enterprise agreement provides higher entitlements.

• How many days annual leave do aged care workers get?

  Under the Aged Care Award 2010 and the NES (Fair Work Act 2009, s.87), full-time aged care workers are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year. Shiftworkers under this award receive 5 weeks (25 days). Annual leave loading of 17.5% also applies, which is paid on top of your base rate when you take leave. Part-time workers receive a pro-rata entitlement based on their contracted hours.

• What is the notice period under the Aged Care Award 2010?

  The Aged Care Award 2010 follows the NES notice scale under Fair Work Act 2009 s.117: less than 1 year = 1 week; 1–3 years = 2 weeks; 3–5 years = 3 weeks; 5+ years = 4 weeks. Employees over 45 with at least 2 years of continuous service receive an additional 1 week supplement. Your employer may pay out notice in lieu of requiring you to work it. Employees resigning must also give the applicable minimum notice.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay in aged care?

  From 1 July 2025, employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings (OTE) into your superannuation fund under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The Aged Care Award 2010 does not specify a higher rate. You may choose your own complying super fund under Fair Work Act 2009 s.149A. The concessional contributions cap is $30,000 per year for 2025–26 (including both employer SG and any voluntary concessional contributions).

• Does the Aged Care Award 2010 provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees under the Aged Care Award 2010 receive a 25% casual loading on top of the ordinary base rate, as per the NES (Fair Work Act 2009 s.67B, effective 26 August 2022). This loading compensates casual workers for the lack of paid leave entitlements (annual leave, personal/carer's leave). A casual worker at Level 1 would therefore receive approximately $33.75/hour (i.e. $27.00 × 1.25) for ordinary hours.

• Can I be made redundant as a casual employee in aged care?

  Casual employees generally do not qualify for genuine redundancy pay under the NES, as the redundancy provisions (Fair Work Act 2009 s.119) apply to employees with regular and systematic employment. However, a casual employee with regular, systematic hours may have general protections or unfair dismissal rights if they had a reasonable expectation of continuing employment. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (1300 724 690) or your union (UWU or ANMF) for advice specific to your situation.

• What is the minimum wage under the Aged Care Award 2010?

  The Aged Care Award 2010 sets minimum wages above the National Minimum Wage (AUD $24.10/hour from July 2025) for all classifications, reflecting the skilled and demanding nature of aged care work. The minimum under the award for 2025–26 is approximately $27.00/hour for Level 1 personal care workers and home care employees. These rates incorporate the Fair Work Commission's Equal Remuneration Order which delivered a 15% pay increase for direct care roles phased between 2023 and 2025.

• What is long service leave in aged care, and when am I eligible?

  Long service leave (LSL) entitlements depend on the state or territory where you work, not the Fair Work Act or the Aged Care Award. Qualifying periods range from 7 years (VIC, ACT) to 10 years (NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT). Entitlements range from 6.067 weeks (VIC, ACT) to 13 weeks (SA, NT) upon first qualifying. Use the Long Service Leave tab in this calculator to find your specific state entitlement and estimated cash value.