Worker retention payment minimum rates

Providers who get the worker retention payment must pass funding on to eligible workers as a wage increase. This page explains how to correctly pass on the payment.

On this page:

Minimum rate structure

From 2 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, the rates on this page reflect a 10% wage increase above the applicable award rates with 3 columns:

  • the award rate
  • the new minimum rate (10% above award)
  • the additional minimum amount payable to staff (10% of award rate).

From 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026, the rates on this page reflect an additional 5% wage increase above the applicable award rates with 4 columns:

  • the award rate
  • the new minimum rate (15% above the applicable award)
  • the additional minimum amount payable to staff (5% of applicable award rate)
  • the difference between the new minimum rate and award rate (15% of applicable award rate).

From 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2026 for the Children’s Services Award 2010, the rates on this page reflect the Fair Work Commission’s decision through its gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review. These rates reflect the simplified classification system and higher award rate for many classifications.

How to apply the rates

From 2 December 2024 to 30 June 2025:

  • you must pass on the additional minimum amount (final column) to all eligible workers
  • this applies even if you pay above the applicable award
  • all funding must be used for wages or eligible on-costs.

From 1 July 2025 to 30 November 2025:

  • award rates increased on 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review
  • if you pay at least 10% above the applicable award following the annual wage review, you do not have to increase your rate of pay again to pass on the additional amount payable to staff (final column), unless you are required to do so by your workplace instrument
  • you may still choose to pass on the additional amount payable to staff
  • you cannot reduce the rates you are already paying
  • all worker retention payment funding must continue to be used for wages or eligible on-costs.

From 1 December 2025 onwards:

  • the worker retention payment increases by an additional 5% above applicable award
  • you must pay all eligible workers at least 15% above the applicable award:
    • Column 4 for Children’s Services Award 2010
    • Column 3 for Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020
  • all eligible workers are entitled to a wage increase – if you pay at or more than 15% above award, you must pass on at least the additional minimum amount payable to staff (5% of the award rate):
    • Column 5 for Children’s Services Award 2010
    • Column 4 for Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020
  • all worker retention payment funding must continue to be used for wages or eligible on-costs.

For the Children’s Services Award 2010 (from 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2026):

  • the outcomes of the Fair Work Commission’s priority awards review are now reflected in 2 tables (Tables 8 and 9), including the new classifications 
  • for eligible ECEC workers covered by or undertaking duties covered by the Children’s Services Award 2010 who were engaged on or before 28 February 2026:
    • you must pay all eligible workers at least the amount in Column 4
    • Column 5 is the additional minimum amount of WRP to be passed on to all Eligible ECEC Workers 
    • total hourly rates of pay for existing workers must be maintained (that is, total hourly rates of pay should not be reduced), including for those paid above the new applicable award rates.
  • for eligible ECEC workers covered by or undertaking duties covered by the Children’s Services Award 2010 who were engaged on or after 1 March 2026:
    • you must pay all eligible workers at least the amount in Column 3
    • Column 4 is the additional minimum amount of WRP to be passed on to all eligible ECEC workers including those paid above the new applicable award rates. 
  • all worker retention payment funding must continue to be used for wages or eligible on-costs.

Help is available to apply the minimum rates. Search our directory to find support that meets your needs.

Rate adjustments

Rates may change due to:

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Workplace instrument requirements

Your workplace instrument must:

  • include an obligation to pay workers at least the minimum rates in the first year of the payment
  • provide for an additional 5% increase in the second year of the payment.

Minimum rates by award

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Children’s Services Award 2010.

Classification Award rateNew minimum rate (award + 10%)Additional minimum amount payable to staff
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Support Worker    
Level 1.1On commencement24.1026.512.41
Level 2.1On commencement24.8427.322.48
Level 2.2After 1 year*25.6628.232.57
Level 3.1On commencement27.1729.892.72
Children’s Services Employee    
Level 1.1On commencement24.1026.512.41
Level 2.1On commencement24.8427.322.48
Level 2.2After 1 year*25.6628.232.57
Level 3A.1**On commencement26.7529.432.68
Level 3A.2**After 1 year27.1729.892.72
Level 3.1On commencement27.1729.892.72
Level 3.2After 1 year*28.1030.912.81
Level 3.3After 2 years*28.9931.892.90
Level 3.4 (Diploma) 30.5933.653.06
Level 4A.1On commencement28.9931.892.90
Level 4A.2After 1 year*29.3932.332.94
Level 4A.3After 2 years*29.7932.772.98
Level 4A.4After 3 years*30.2133.233.02
Level 4A.5After 4 years*30.6133.673.06
Level 4.1On commencement32.0035.203.20
Level 4.2After 1 year*32.4935.743.25
Level 4.3After 2 years*32.9736.273.30
Level 5A.1On commencement33.4636.813.35
Level 5A.2After 1 year*33.9537.353.40
Level 5A.3After 2 years*34.4337.873.44
Level 5.1On commencement33.4636.813.35
Level 5.2After 1 year*33.9537.353.40
Level 5.3After 2 years*34.4337.873.44
Level 5.4*** 34.5538.013.46
Level 6A.1On commencement38.5942.453.86
Level 6A.2After 1 year*39.0742.983.91
Level 6A.3After 2 years*39.5543.513.96
Children’s Services Employee—Director    
Level 6.1On commencement38.5942.453.86
Level 6.2After 1 year*39.0742.983.91
Level 6.3After 2 years*39.5543.513.96
Level 6.4On commencement41.0245.124.10
Level 6.5After 1 year*41.4045.544.14
Level 6.6After 2 years*41.8946.084.19
Level 6.7On commencement42.3946.634.24
Level 6.8After 1 year *42.8847.174.29
Level 6.9After 2 years*43.3647.704.34

*Reference to a year or years of service is to service in the industry

**Former Western Australian ‘E’ worker classification

***An Assistant Director who holds an Advanced Diploma (AQF 6/3 year qualified) must be paid no less than Level 5.4

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Children’s Services Award 2010.

Classification Award rateNew minimum rate (award + 10%)Additional minimum amount payable to staff
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Support Worker     
Level 1.1On commencement  24.95  27.452.50
Level 2.1On commencement  25.71  28.282.57
Level 2.2After 1 year*  26.56  29.222.66
Level 3.1  On commencement  28.12  30.932.81
Children’s Services Employee      
Level 1.1  On commencement  24.95  27.452.50
Level 2.1  On commencement  25.71  28.282.57
Level 2.2  After 1 year*  26.56  29.222.66
Level 3A.1**  On commencement  27.68  30.452.77
Level 3A.2**  After 1 year  28.1230.932.81
Level 3.1  On commencement  28.12  30.932.81
Level 3.2  After 1 year*  29.09  32.002.91
Level 3.3  After 2 years*  30.0033.003.00
Level 3.4 (Diploma)   31.66  34.833.17
Level 4A.1  On commencement  30.0033.003.00
Level 4A.2  After 1 year*  30.42  33.463.04
Level 4A.3  After 2 years*  30.83  33.913.08
Level 4A.4  After 3 years*  31.27  34.403.13
Level 4A.5  After 4 years*  31.68  34.853.17
Level 4.1  On commencement  33.12  36.433.31
Level 4.2  After 1 year*  33.6336.993.36
Level 4.3  After 2 years*  34.1337.543.41
Level 5A.1  On commencement  34.6338.093.46
Level 5A.2  After 1 year*  35.1438.653.51
Level 5A.3  After 2 years*  35.6339.193.56
Level 5.1  On commencement  34.6338.093.46
Level 5.2  After 1 year*  35.1438.653.51
Level 5.3  After 2 years*  35.6339.193.56
Level 5.4***   35.7639.343.58
Level 6A.1  On commencement  39.9443.933.99
Level 6A.2  After 1 year*  40.4444.484.04
Level 6A.3  After 2 years*  40.9345.024.09
Children’s Services Employee —Director      
Level 6.1  On commencement  39.9443.933.99
Level 6.2  After 1 year*  40.4444.484.04
Level 6.3  After 2 years*  40.9345.024.09
Level 6.4  On commencement  42.4646.714.25
Level 6.5  After 1 year*  42.8547.144.29
Level 6.6  After 2 years*  43.3647.704.34
Level 6.7  On commencement  43.8848.274.39
Level 6.8  After 1 year *  44.3848.824.44
Level 6.9  After 2 years*  44.8849.374.49

*Reference to a year or years of service is to service in the industry

**Former Western Australian ‘E’ worker classification

***An Assistant Director who holds an Advanced Diploma (AQF 6/3 year qualified) must be paid no less than Level 5.4

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Children’s Services Award 2010.

Classification Award rate New minimum
rate (award 
+ 15%)		Additional
minimum amount payable to
staff (5%)		Difference
between new
minimum
rate and award
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Support Worker     
Level 1.1On commencement24.9528.691.253.74
Level 2.1On commencement25.7129.571.293.86
Level 2.2After 1 year*26.5630.541.333.98
Level 3.1On commencement28.1232.341.414.22
Children’s
Services 
Employee		     
Level 1.1On commencement24.9528.691.253.74 
Level 2.1On commencement25.7129.571.293.86 
Level 2.2 After 1 year*26.5630.541.333.98
Level 3A.1**On commencement27.6831.831.384.15 
Level 3A.2**After 1 year28.1232.341.414.22
Level 3.1On commencement28.1232.341.414.22 
Level 3.2After 1 year*29.09  33.451.454.36
Level 3.3After 2 years*3034.501.504.50
Level 3.4 (Diploma) 31.6636.411.584.75
Level 4A.1On commencement3034.501.504.50
Level 4A.2After 1 year*30.4234.981.524.56
Level 4A.3After 2 years*30.8335.451.544.62
Level 4A.4After 3 years*31.2735.961.564.69
Level 4A.5After 4 years*31.6836.431.584.75
Level 4.1On commencement33.1238.091.664.97
Level 4.2After 1 year*33.6338.671.685.04
Level 4.3After 2 years*34.1339.251.715.12
Level 5A.1On commencement34.6339.821.735.19 
Level 5A.2After 1 year*35.1440.411.765.27
Level 5A.3After 2 years*35.6340.971.785.34
Level 5.1On commencement34.6339.821.735.19
Level 5.2After 1 year*35.1440.411.765.27
Level 5.3After 2 years*35.6340.971.785.34
Level 5.4*** 35.7641.121.795.36
Level 6A.1On commencement39.9445.932.005.99
Level 6A.2After 1 year*40.4446.512.026.07
Level 6A.3After 2 years*40.9347.072.056.14
Children’s
Services 
Employee — 
Director		     
Level 6.1On commencement39.9445.932.005.99
Level 6.2After 1 year*40.4446.512.026.07
Level 6.3After 2 years*40.9347.072.056.14
Level 6.4On commencement42.4648.832.126.37
Level 6.5After 1 year*42.8549.282.146.43
Level 6.6After 2 years*43.3649.862.176.50
Level 6.7On commencement43.8850.462.196.58
Level 6.8After 1 year*44.3851.042.226.66
Level 6.9After 2 years*44.8851.612.246.73

*Reference to a year or years of service is to service in the industry

**Former Western Australian ‘E’ worker classification

***An Assistant Director who holds an Advanced Diploma (AQF 6/3 year qualified) must be paid no less than Level 5.4

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Children’s Services Award 2010 who were engaged on or before 28 February 2026.

Classification on 28 February 2026 Classification on 1 March 2026

Column 3

Award rate 1 March 2026

Column 41

Minimum rate that eligible ECEC workers must be paid from 1 December 2025

Column 5

Additional minimum amount of WRP funds to be passed on from 1 March 2026

   $ per hour $ per hour $ per hour
Support Worker         
Level 1.1  On commencement  No change  24.95  28.69  3.74
Level 2.1  On commencement  No change  25.71  29.57  3.86
Level 2.2  After 1 year*  No change  26.56  30.54  3.98
Level 3.1  On commencement  No change  28.12  32.34  4.22
Children’s Services Employee        
Level 1.1  On commencement  Level 1 – Introductory Educator26.19  28.69  2.50
Level 2.1  On commencement  Level 2 - Educator27.00  29.57  2.57
Level 2.2  After 1 year*  Level 2 - Educator27.00  30.54  3.54
Level 3A.1**  On commencement  Level 2 – Educator27.6831.83  4.15
Level 3A.2**  After 1 year  Level 2 - Educator28.12 32.34  4.22
Level 3.1  On commencement  Level 3 – Qualified Educator29.52  32.34  2.82
Level 3.2  After 1 year*  Level 3 – Qualified Educator29.52  33.45  3.93
Level 3.3  After 2 years*  Level 3 Qualified Educator30.00  34.50  4.50
Level 3.3(With less than 4 years’ experience at Level 3)Level 3 Qualified Educator30.0034.504.50
Level 3.3(With 4+ years’ experience at Level 3)Level 4 Experienced Educator31.5034.503.00
Level 3.4 (Diploma)   Level 5 – Advanced Educator33.24 36.41  3.17
Level 4A.1  On commencement  Level 6 – Room Leader31.50 34.50  3.00
Level 4A.2  After 1 year*  Level 6 – Room Leader31.50  34.98  3.48
Level 4A.3  After 2 years*  Level 6 – Room Leader31.50  35.45  3.95
Level 4A.4  After 3 years*  Level 6 – Room Leader31.50  35.96  4.46
Level 4A.5  After 4 years*  Level 6 – Room Leader31.68 36.43  4.75
Level 4.1  On commencement  Level 6 – Room Leader34.78 38.09  3.31
Level 4.2  After 1 year*  Level 6 – Room Leader34.78  38.67  3.89
Level 4.3  After 2 years*  Level 6 – Room Leader34.78  39.25  4.47
Level 5A.1  On commencement  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.37 39.82  3.45
Level 5A.2  After 1 year*  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.37  40.41  4.04
Level 5A.3  After 2 years*  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.37  40.97  4.60
Level 5.1  On commencement  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.3739.82  3.45
Level 5.2  After 1 year*  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.3740.41  4.04
Level 5.3  After 2 years*  Level 7 – Assistant Director36.3740.97  4.60
Level 5.4***   Level 7 – Assistant Director36.3741.12  4.75
Level 6A.1  On commencement  Level 8 - Director41.93  45.93  4.00
Level 6A.2  After 1 year*  Level 8 – Director41.93  46.51  4.58
Level 6A.3  After 2 years*  Level 8 – Director41.93  47.07  5.14
Children’s Services Employee—Director        
Level 6.1  On commencement  Level 8 – Director41.93  45.93  4.00
Level 6.2  After 1 year*  Level 8 – Director41.93  46.51  4.58
Level 6.3  After 2 years*  Level 8 – Director41.93  47.07  5.14
Level 6.4  On commencement  Level 8 – Director42.46  48.83  6.37
Level 6.5  After 1 year*  Level 8 – Director42.85  49.28  6.43
Level 6.6  After 2 years*  Level 8 – Director43.36  49.86  6.50
Level 6.7  On commencement  Level 8 – Director43.88  50.46  6.58
Level 6.8  After 1 year *  Level 8 – Director44.38  51.04  6.66
Level 6.9  After 2 years*  Level 8 – Director44.88  51.61  6.73

*Reference to a year or years of service is to service in the industry

**Former Western Australian ‘E’ worker classification

***An Assistant Director who holds an Advanced Diploma (AQF 6/3 year qualified) must be paid no less than Level 5.4

¹Some of the rates in Column 4 have not increased from 1 December 2025 and may no longer equate to 15% of the new award rate. This is to absorb the impact of the gender undervaluation proceedings as per Section 4.3.

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Children’s Services Award 2010 who were engaged on or after 1 March 2026.

Classification from 1 March 2026 

Column 2

Award rate 1 March 2026

Column 31

Minimum rate that eligible ECEC workers must be paid from 1 March 2026

Column 4

Additional minimum amount of WRP funds to be passed on from 1 March 2026

 $ per hour  $ per hour  $ per hour 
Support Worker   
Level 1.1
On commencement   		24.9528.69 3.74
Level 2.1
On commencement   		25.7129.57  3.86  
Level 2.2
After 1 year*   		26.5630.54  3.98  
Level 3.1
On commencement  		28.1232.34  4.22  
Children’s Services Employee   
Level 1 – Introductory Educator  26.1928.692.50  
Level 2 - Educator  27.0029.572.57  
Level 3 – Qualified Educator  29.5232.342.82  
Level 4 Experienced Educator 31.5034.503.00 
Level 5 – Advanced Educator  33.2436.413.17  
Level 6 – Room Leader  34.7838.093.31  
Level 7 – Assistant Director  36.3739.823.45  
Level 8 - Director  41.9345.934.00  

*Reference to a year or years of service is to service in the industry

¹Some of the rates in Columns 3 may no longer equate to 15% of the new award rate. This is to absorb the impact of the gender undervaluation proceedings as per Section 4.3.

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020.

ClassificationAward rateNew minimum rate (award + 10%)Additional minimum amount payable to staff
 $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Teachers – Long day care centres   
Level 136.7440.413.67
Level 240.1644.174.02
Level 343.7248.094.37
Level 447.2852.004.73
Level 550.8355.925.08
Teachers – Preschools and Schools   
Level 135.3338.863.53
Level 238.6142.473.86
Level 342.0346.244.20
Level 445.4650.004.55
Level 548.8853.774.89

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020.

ClassificationAward rateNew minimum rate (award + 10%)Additional minimum amount payable to staff
 $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Teachers - Long day care centres   
Level 138.0241.833.81
Level 241.5645.724.16
Level 345.2449.774.53
Level 448.9353.824.89
Level 552.6157.875.26
Teachers - Preschool and Schools   
Level 136.5640.223.66
Level 239.9643.964.00
Level 343.5147.864.35
Level 447.0551.754.70
Level 550.5955.655.06

The below rates apply to workers covered by, or undertaking duties covered by, the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020.

ClassificationAward rateNew minimum rate (award + 15%)Additional minimum amount payable to staff (5%)Difference between new minimum rate and award
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Teachers – Long day care centres    
Level 138.0243.731.905.71
Level 241.5647.792.086.23
Level 345.2452.032.276.79
Level 448.9356.272.457.34
Level 552.6160.512.637.90
Teachers – Preschools and Schools    
Level 136.5642.051.835.49
Level 239.9645.962.006.00
Level 343.5150.032.176.52
Level 447.0554.102.357.05
Level 550.5958.182.537.59