If you are considering a career in aged care, earnings are a reasonable question to ask before you invest time and money in a qualification. The good news: Australia's aged care sector has seen significant wage improvement following the Fair Work Commission's 2024 aged care work value case, with pay rises flowing through to direct care workers from July 2025 and continuing into 2026. Here is a detailed breakdown of what aged care roles actually pay in Melbourne right now.

Understanding the Award That Governs Aged Care Pay

Most aged care workers in Victoria are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (known as the SCHADS Award). This award sets out minimum pay rates for different classification levels — from entry-level personal care worker through to senior coordinators and managers.

It is important to understand that the SCHADS Award is a minimum rate. Many employers — particularly larger residential aged care providers and home care packages providers — pay above award through enterprise agreements. The rates below are the official minimums as updated in 2026.

Entry Level: Personal Care Worker / Support Worker

Base rate (full-time): $32.61 per hour (Level 3, Year 1)
Saturday: $48.92 per hour (150%)
Sunday: $57.07 per hour (175%)
Public holidays: $65.22 per hour (200%)

For a full-time worker doing a standard 38-hour week, the annual base salary is approximately $64,000 before penalties. With regular weekend shifts included, total annual earnings can reach $72,000-$78,000.

Entry-level roles typically require at minimum the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021). Employers increasingly prefer candidates with Certificate IV in Ageing Support for direct care roles, particularly in residential facilities.

Experienced Support Worker (3+ Years)

Base rate: $36-$38 per hour
Annual base (full-time): approximately $71,000-$75,000

At the senior support worker level (Level 4 under SCHADS), experienced personal care workers take on additional responsibilities such as mentoring new staff, managing complex care situations, and coordinating daily routines in residential settings. With weekend penalties, senior support workers in active aged care roles regularly earn $80,000-$85,000 annually.

Team Leader / Care Coordinator

Base rate: $40-$44 per hour
Annual base (full-time): approximately $79,000-$87,000

Team leaders and care coordinators manage rosters, supervise support workers, liaise with families and healthcare professionals, and ensure compliance with care plans. These roles typically require Certificate IV in Ageing Support or equivalent, plus 2-3 years of direct care experience. Many employers pay above-award through enterprise agreements, with some coordinators earning $90,000+.

Specialist Roles — Higher Earnings Potential

Dementia Care Specialist / Senior Practitioner

Workers with specialist training in dementia care — including Graduate Certificate in Dementia or equivalent — are in increasing demand as Australia's dementia prevalence grows. Specialist roles in residential dementia units can earn $45-$52 per hour, with annual salaries reaching $95,000-$105,000 for experienced practitioners.

Enrolled Nurse in Aged Care

Enrolled Nurses (ENs) working in aged care facilities typically earn $85,000-$100,000 annually, plus penalties. ENs provide clinical care including medication management, wound care, and clinical assessments under the supervision of Registered Nurses. The pathway to EN is through a Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Division 2).

Registered Nurse — Aged Care

RNs in aged care settings earn significantly more. Base rates start around $90,000-$100,000 annually for new graduates, with experienced RNs in clinical coordinator or NUM (Nurse Unit Manager) roles earning $110,000-$130,000+. Rural and regional aged care facilities often pay a significant loading above metropolitan rates to attract staff.

How Penalty Rates Significantly Increase Earnings

The SCHADS Award includes meaningful penalty rates that substantially increase take-home pay for aged care workers. Because aged care operates across all hours — mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays — these penalties are a regular feature, not an occasional bonus.

For a support worker who regularly works alternate weekends, penalty rates can add $8,000-$15,000 to annual base earnings. Many part-time aged care workers who are strategic about their shifts earn more than the stated "annual salary" of a full-time worker on the same base rate.

Salary Comparison: Certificate III vs Certificate IV vs Diploma

What Drives Pay Increases in Aged Care

If you start in aged care at entry level, the main ways to increase your earnings are:

• Upgrading qualifications: Certificate IV pays more than Certificate III at the same experience level. Each additional qualification classification can add $2-$5 per hour.
• Gaining experience in complex care: Dementia care, palliative care, and wound management are skills that attract higher pay.
• Moving into coordinator or team leader roles: These are the natural progression roles that move you from direct care into management, with a significant pay increase.
• Enterprise agreements: Many large aged care providers have enterprise agreements that pay above the Award. Working for a large provider (e.g., Opal Healthcare, Arcare, Benetas) often means better pay than a small boutique operator.
• Strategic shift selection: Workers who work regular weekends and public holidays can significantly increase their effective hourly rate through penalty loadings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the base pay for an aged care worker in Melbourne in 2026?

As of July 2026, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 sets entry-level aged care worker pay at $32.61 per hour. With weekend penalties (50% Saturday, 75% Sunday), hourly rates can reach $49-$57 per hour on weekends.

How much can an experienced aged care worker earn in Melbourne?

Experienced aged care workers at the top of the support worker classification can earn approximately $38-$40 per hour base rate. With penalties and shift loadings, annual earnings for a full-time worker can reach $75,000-$85,000. Specialist roles such as team leaders or care coordinators can earn $90,000-$100,000 annually.

Does aged care pay more on weekends and nights?

Yes. Under the SCHADS Award, aged care workers receive Saturday penalty rates (150% of base), Sunday penalty rates (175% of base), and evening/overnight shift loadings. A $32.61 base rate becomes approximately $49 on Saturday and $57 on Sunday. Night shift allowances also apply.

Can I earn more with a Certificate IV in Ageing Support compared to Certificate III?

Yes. Certificate IV-qualified workers sit in a higher award classification than Certificate III workers. The difference is typically $2-$4 per hour at equivalent experience levels. Over a full year, this adds approximately $4,000-$8,000 in annual earnings.

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