Where the aged care salary sits against the national full-time average
If you work in aged care under the Aged Care Award 2010, your minimum weekly wage is set by Fair Work. The award covers general employees, direct care employees, and senior food services employees. For a full-time aged care employee—general—level 1, the weekly rate is $1,055.40, which comes to about $54,881 a year (based on a 38‑hour week). At the top of the direct care stream, a level 5 specialist earns $1,486.80 per week, or about $77,314 annually.
These figures are well below the national full-time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) reported by the ABS in its Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The gap is substantial: even the highest award classification is roughly 29% less than the average. The full‑time median of about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) is also out of reach for most aged care workers on award rates.
How the award rates compare by state
State full‑time averages from the ABS show that aged care award rates fall short everywhere. For example, the national average of $108,352 is already below the averages in Western Australia ($115,825) and the ACT ($119,090). In Tasmania, where the state average is $96,008, an aged care level 1 general employee earning $54,881 is still 43% below that state average. The award rates do not vary by state, so the gap is largest in higher‑wage states.
Minimum wage and the aged care floor
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 per year). All aged care award rates are above this floor. The lowest hourly rate in the award is $27.77 for a level 1 general employee, which is $1.33 above the minimum. However, the award rates are still far from the all‑employees median of about $74,100.
What the award covers
The Aged Care Award 2010 applies to employers in the aged care industry and their employees in the listed classifications. Full‑time employees work 38 hours per week or an average of 38 hours. The award includes penalty rates, overtime, and allowances. The pay guide published by Fair Work (effective from 1 September 2026) shows hourly rates and overtime multipliers. For example, a level 1 general employee gets $27.77 per hour, with overtime at $41.66 for the first 2 hours on weekdays.
Why the gap matters
The difference between aged care award rates and the national average reflects broader issues in the sector. Many aged care workers are on part‑time or casual arrangements, which can lower annual earnings further. The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 annual wage review increased award rates by 4.75%, but that still leaves aged care pay trailing most industries. Place a salary on the line to see how any wage compares to the national average. For more on how the ABS calculates these figures, see How the figures are set.
Tax considerations
Aged care workers earning around $55,000 to $77,000 per year fall into the 30% tax bracket for 2026–27 (income between $45,001 and $135,000). The tax‑free threshold is $18,200, and the Medicare levy of 2% applies. A worker on $60,000 would pay about $9,867 in tax plus $1,200 Medicare levy, leaving about $48,933 after tax. That is well below the after‑tax income of someone on the national average of $108,352, who would pay about $24,667 in tax plus $2,167 Medicare levy, leaving $81,518.
Summary
Aged care salaries under the award are significantly lower than the national full‑time average of $108,352. Even the highest classification is about $31,000 less per year. While the award provides a floor above the minimum wage, it does not bridge the gap to typical Australian earnings. For personalised comparisons, use the States and territories page to see how your location affects the picture.