What is the average salary for an aged care support worker?

The most reliable figure is the median full-time weekly earnings for Aged and Disabled Carers, published by Jobs and Skills Australia using ABS data. As of May 2025, that median is $1,761 per week, or about $91,572 per year. This is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Because many aged care workers are part-time, the median for all employees in the occupation would be lower.

How does the aged care support worker salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. The median full-time salary for aged care support workers ($1,761 per week) is about $323 per week less than that average. It is also below the full-time median for all occupations, which is about $1,741 per week (or $90,532 per year).

What is the minimum wage for aged care workers?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week. However, most aged care workers are covered by the Aged Care Award 2010, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes the latest award rates, but specific figures depend on classification and experience. The 2026 Annual Wage Review increased award minimums by 4.75%.

Aged Care Support Worker Salary in Australia 2026

Aged Care Support Worker Salary vs the National Full-Time Average

If you are looking at an aged care support worker salary in Australia, the best available benchmark comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia. The occupation is classified as Aged and Disabled Carers (ANZSCO 4231), covering workers who provide personal care, companionship, and household assistance to older people and people with disabilities.

The Median Full-Time Figure

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, using ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours data from May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for Aged and Disabled Carers is $1,761. That works out to about $91,572 per year (multiplying by 52 weeks). This figure is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which excludes managers, part-timers, and junior workers. It is the most direct comparison to the national full-time average.

How It Stacks Up Against the National Line

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. That is the line used on this site. The aged care support worker median is about $323 per week less than that average. It is also below the full-time median for all occupations, which is about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year). So while the aged care figure sits close to the all-occupations median, it is clearly below the national average that includes higher-paying industries like mining and professional services.

Part-Time Work and the Broader Picture

Only about 40% of aged care support workers work full-time hours, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. The average full-time week is 43 hours, similar to the national average of 44 hours. For part-time workers, earnings are naturally lower. The ABS reports that part-time employees in all occupations had median weekly earnings of $769 in May 2025. For aged care, part-time earnings are not separately published, but the overall median for all employees in the occupation would be lower than the full-time median.

Minimum Wage and Award Coverage

Aged care support workers are typically covered by the Aged Care Award 2010 or the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but award rates are higher. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows that award minimums increased by 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review. Specific hourly rates depend on the classification level, but the database is available for download from the Fair Work Commission.

State and Territory Comparisons

Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. The highest state average is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 per year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. The aged care support worker median of $91,572 is below every state average except possibly Tasmania, where it is close. This reflects the relatively lower pay in the care sector compared to industries like mining or public administration.

What This Means for Your Salary Check

When you place a salary on the line, the site compares your annual pay to the national full-time average of $108,352. For an aged care support worker earning the median full-time salary of $91,572, the line would show you are about $16,780 below the average. If you work part-time or are paid at a lower classification, the gap will be larger. You can also explore job medians for other occupations or industry medians to see how different sectors compare.

Important Distinctions

Keep in mind that the national full-time average ($108,352) is an average of ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults. The aged care figure is a median for full-time non-managerial employees. Medians are less affected by very high or low earners, so they give a better sense of the typical worker. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 per year, which is much lower. Always check which measure is being used when comparing salaries.

Sources and Methodology

The figures in this article come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) and the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026), as well as Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles. The national minimum wage and award information is from Fair Work. For more detail on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set.