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

The rates on this page reflect:

  • a 10% wage increase above award rates from 2 December 2024
  • an additional 5% increase from 1 December 2025.

Each classification includes 3 columns:

  • the current minimum hourly rate under each award
  • the new minimum hourly rate (10% above award from 1 December 2024 and 15% above award from 1 December 2025)
  • the additional minimum hourly amount payable to staff – this is the minimum amount you must add to the current minimum hourly rate to meet the worker retention payment requirement.

How to apply the rates

From 2 December 2024 to 30 June 2025:

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

From 1 July 2025 onwards:

  • award rates increased on 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review
  • check if your current rate of pay is at least the required percentage above the new award rate:
    • 1 July to 30 November 2025: 10% above award
    • 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026: 15% above award
  • if you pay at or above the required percentage following the annual wage review, you do not have to increase your rate of pay again to pass on the additional minimum hourly amount (right-hand column)
  • you may still choose to pass on the additional minimum hourly amount
  • you cannot reduce the minimum amount you are already paying
  • all funding must be used for wages or eligible on-costs.

Rate adjustments

Rates may change due to:

Subscribe to our newsletter or join our Facebook group to get information and updates.

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 Current minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional 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 Current minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional minimum amount payable to staff
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Support Worker    
Level 1.1On commencement24.9527.452.50
Level 2.1On commencement25.7128.282.57
Level 2.2After 1 year*26.5629.222.66
Level 3.1On commencement28.1230.932.81
Children’s Services Employee    
Level 1.1On commencement24.9527.452.50
Level 2.1On commencement25.7128.282.57
Level 2.2After 1 year*26.5629.222.66
Level 3A.1**On commencement27.6830.452.77
Level 3A.2**After 1 year28.1230.932.81
Level 3.1On commencement28.1230.932.81
Level 3.2After 1 year*29.0932.002.91
Level 3.3After 2 years*30.0033.003.00
Level 3.4 (Diploma) 31.6634.833.17
Level 4A.1On commencement30.0033.003.00
Level 4A.2After 1 year*30.4233.463.04
Level 4A.3After 2 years*30.8333.913.08
Level 4A.4After 3 years*31.2734.403.13
Level 4A.5After 4 years*31.6834.853.17
Level 4.1On commencement33.1236.433.31
Level 4.2After 1 year*33.6336.993.36
Level 4.3After 2 years*34.1337.543.41
Level 5A.1On commencement34.6338.093.46
Level 5A.2After 1 year*35.1438.653.51
Level 5A.3After 2 years*35.6339.193.56
Level 5.1On commencement34.6338.093.46
Level 5.2After 1 year*35.1438.653.51
Level 5.3After 2 years*35.6339.193.56
Level 5.4*** 35.7639.343.58
Level 6A.1On commencement39.9443.933.99
Level 6A.2After 1 year*40.4444.484.04
Level 6A.3After 2 years*40.9345.024.09
Children’s Services Employee—Director    
Level 6.1On commencement39.9443.933.99
Level 6.2After 1 year*40.4444.484.04
Level 6.3After 2 years*40.9345.024.09
Level 6.4On commencement42.4646.714.25
Level 6.5After 1 year*42.8547.144.29
Level 6.6After 2 years*43.3647.704.34
Level 6.7On commencement43.8848.274.39
Level 6.8After 1 year *44.3848.824.44
Level 6.9After 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 Current minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional minimum amount payable to staff
  $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Support Worker    
Level 1.1 On commencement 24.95 28.69 3.74 
Level 2.1 On commencement 25.71 29.57 3.86 
Level 2.2 After 1 year* 26.56 30.54 3.98 
Level 3.1 On commencement 28.12 32.34 4.22 
Children’s Services Employee    
Level 1.1 On commencement 24.95 28.69 3.74 
Level 2.1 On commencement 25.71 29.57 3.86 
Level 2.2 After 1 year* 26.56 30.54 3.98 
Level 3A.1** On commencement 27.68 31.83 4.15 
Level 3A.2** After 1 year 28.12 32.34 4.22 
Level 3.1 On commencement 28.12 32.34 4.22 
Level 3.2 After 1 year* 29.09 33.45 4.36 
Level 3.3 After 2 years* 30 34.50 4.50 
Level 3.4 (Diploma)  31.66 36.41 4.75 
Level 4A.1 On commencement 30 34.50 4.50 
Level 4A.2 After 1 year* 30.42 34.98 4.56 
Level 4A.3 After 2 years* 30.83 35.45 4.62 
Level 4A.4 After 3 years* 31.27 35.96 4.69 
Level 4A.5 After 4 years* 31.68 36.43 4.75 
Level 4.1 On commencement 33.12 38.09 4.97 
Level 4.2 After 1 year* 33.63 38.67 5.04 
Level 4.3 After 2 years* 34.13 39.25 5.12 
Level 5A.1 On commencement 34.63 39.82 5.19 
Level 5A.2 After 1 year* 35.14 40.41 5.27 
Level 5A.3 After 2 years* 35.63 40.97 5.34 
Level 5.1 On commencement 34.63 39.82 5.19 
Level 5.2 After 1 year* 35.14 40.41 5.27 
Level 5.3 After 2 years* 35.63 40.97 5.34 
Level 5.4***  35.76 41.12 5.36 
Level 6A.1 On commencement 39.94 45.93 5.99 
Level 6A.2 After 1 year* 40.44 46.51 6.07 
Level 6A.3 After 2 years* 40.93 47.07 6.14 
Children’s Services Employee—Director    
Level 6.1 On commencement 39.94 45.93 5.99 
Level 6.2 After 1 year* 40.44 46.51 6.07 
Level 6.3 After 2 years* 40.93 47.07 6.14 
Level 6.4 On commencement 42.46 48.83 6.37 
Level 6.5 After 1 year* 42.85 49.28 6.43 
Level 6.6 After 2 years* 43.36 49.86 6.50 
Level 6.7 On commencement 43.88 50.46 6.58 
Level 6.8 After 1 year * 44.38 51.04 6.66 
Level 6.9 After 2 years* 44.88 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 

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

ClassificationCurrent minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional minimum hourly 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.

ClassificationCurrent minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional minimum hourly 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.

ClassificationCurrent minimum hourly rateNew minimum hourly rateAdditional minimum amount payable to staff
 $ per hour$ per hour$ per hour
Teachers – Long day care centres    
Level 1 38.02 43.73 5.71 
Level 2 41.56 47.79 6.23 
Level 3 45.24 52.03 6.79 
Level 4 48.93 56.27 7.34 
Level 5 52.61 60.51 7.90 
Teachers – Preschools and Schools    
Level 1 36.56 42.05 5.49 
Level 2 39.96 45.96 6.00 
Level 3 43.51 50.03 6.52 
Level 4 47.05 54.10 7.05 
Level 5 50.59 58.18 7.59