If you’re seeking a rewarding and meaningful career, you may want to consider pursuing a role as an aged care worker in Australia, but it’s important to understand how much you can earn.
If you’re considering a career in aged care, there’s no doubt it can be highly rewarding with many diverse career opportunities, but how much can you earn as an aged care worker in Australia? This is an important consideration when choosing a career path, so to make it easier for you, we’ve put together this handy aged care salary guide.
We explore various factors that influence the remuneration for aged care workers, home care workers and nurses, including salary ranges, experience, employer benefits and required qualifications.
Like other industries your salary in the aged care sector will vary depending on your responsibilities, qualifications and experience. If you are a direct care employee, the amount you earn also depends on which level you are. For example, if you’re new to the aged care industry with less than 3 months’ work experience and want to work in direct care, you’ll be classified as an “aged care employee level 1” and will earn approximately $1,047.60 weekly, unless your employer pays above the award pay.
According to the latest Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, as a full-time aged care worker providing direct care can expect to earn between $1047.60 and $1269.10 weekly or between $27.57 and $33.40 hourly. Pay rates increase for overtime ($41.36 – $66.80), public holidays ($68.93 – $83.50) and weekend overtime ($47.94 – $58.08).
According to talent.com, the annual salary for an aged care worker in Australia in 2023 stands at an average of $62,353. And, with experience and qualifications, this can grow substantially.
To ensure the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding aged care wages, it’s best to do comprehensive job market research, go through the health and aged care government website and have a conversation with the prospective employer you wish to work with.
General aged care employees include roles such as bus drivers or general roles that help with laundry and basic hospitality such as taking meals to residents. They assist with the running of the aged care centre and care provided, but they are not considered to be caring for residents directly.
Direct care roles include those providing personal care, clinical care and leisure and lifestyle activities. They are classified as ‘direct care’ because they are considered to be working hands-on or directly with aged care residents.
The job title for these roles can change, sometimes an aged care worker is called an aged care support worker or personal care worker.
Your aged care worker salary is very much influenced by loading and aged care employees who work night shifts receive a higher rate of pay, with registered nurses and more senior level aged care employees typically performing the bulk of night shifts.
There are also other types of shifts with varied pay rates, depending on when you worked and how long your break was in between shifts. See the table below for some examples.
| Classification | Overtime - Saturday | Overtime - Sunday | Less than 8 hour break after sleepover | Less than 10 hour break between shifts | Afternoon shift - starts at 10am and before 1pm | Afternoon shift - starts at 1pm and before 4pm | Night shift - starts at 4pm and before 4am | Night shift - starts at 4am and before 6am |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged care employee level 1 (full-time) – direct care | $55.14 | $55.14 | $55.14 | $55.14 | $30.33 | $31.02 | $31.71 | $30.33 |
Did you know that IRT pays above the award rates? For example, a Level 3 Aged Care Employee (ACE 2) earns $31.32* per hour compared to the award rate of $29.76 and the fast-track nursing program lets IRT Registered Nurses increase their salaries much faster.
*Based on the FY24 wage base pay, doesn’t include penalties. Last updated April 2024.
According to seek.com.au an aged care nurse in Australia earns between $80,000-90,000 or $40-50 per hour.
The rate of pay varies depending on the type of nursing position, plus a person’s level of qualifications and experience. For example, a registered nurse earns more than an enrolled nurse and an enrolled nurse with a medication qualification earns more than one without.
At IRT, we offer a fast-track nursing program, which means you don’t need to wait years to increase your salary as a Registered Nurse. Here’s how it works:
Receive a 3rd Year Registered Nurse rate ($48.59) following a successful performance review at 3 months.
Progress to a 4th Year Registered Nurse rate ($50.99) at the completion of 1976 hours.
Progress to a 5th Year Registered Nurse rate ($53.44) at the completion of 1976 hours.
Receive the 8th Year rate of pay following a successful performance review at 3 months
Progress from 1st Year Registered Nurse to 3rd Year rate of pay (from $41.84 to $ 48.59) following a successful performance review at 3 months.
Upon graduation, receive the 3rd year Registered Nurse rate of pay and progress to Registered Nurse 4th Year rate of pay at the completion of 1976 hours.
IRT pays the following hourly rates which are above the award wage.
Find out more about aged care nurse careers
Home care workers provide in-home support to older people and are responsible for supporting the wellbeing, lifestyle and independence of their clients. The average home care worker in Australia earns between $60,000 and $70,000.
The Award wage rates in Australia are between $27.89 per hour (Level 1) and $33.51 (Level 4). The level and corresponding rate of pay is determined by your experience, duties and relevant qualifications.
Note: moving from one level to the next is not automatic and depends on availability, competence and other factors.
Find out more about the benefits of a career in home care.
Start a career that matters and make a difference to the lives of older Australians.
If you obtain a cert 3 qualification and have worked more than 500 hours, you are eligible to apply to be a Home Care Employee Grade 2 or Aged Care Employee Level 3.
The pay rate for these roles are as follows (correct at Dec 2023):
| Classification | Weekly pay rate | Hourly pay rate | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Overtime - Monday to Friday - first 2 hours | Overtime - Monday to Friday - after 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged care employee level 3 (full-time) | $1,130.90 | $29.76 | $44.64 | $52.08 | $74.40 | $44.64 | $59.52 |
Like most industries, getting relevant qualifications certainly opens up many opportunities for your career and, in turn, maximises your earning potential. A formal qualification will very likely boost your salary, and aged care is no different. The great thing about working in aged care is that it’s sometimes possible to work as an aged care worker without any qualifications and then work towards getting qualified so you can progress your career and increase your salary.
For example, Individuals who join IRT in an entry level classification, such as an Aged Care Employee (ACE) Level 1, can progress to the next level (ACE Level 2) after completing 500 hours and being deemed competent. To progress to the next level (ACE Level 3), you need to acquire a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) including the medication skill set qualification.
At IRT, individuals working in our hospitality stream can progress from an Aged Care Employee Level 1 to an Aged Care Employee Level 2 after completing 500 hours however, IRT also recognises team members who obtain the Certificate II in Health Services Support with a higher rate of pay (ACE Level 2).
As you gain experience and acquire higher qualifications, your earning potential increases. For example, if you get a Cert IV in Ageing Support, you can apply for vacant team leader opportunities.
For higher-paying management and leadership positions, such as a care manager or regional hospitality or lifestyle manager, you will need the relevant qualifications. For example, in addition to a Bachelor of Nursing, care managers need to either possess, or be working towards, a Certificate IV or Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Want to truly make a difference in the lives of older Australians? ITeC Academy is a nationally-recognised training organisation offering online and face-to-face job-ready training in aged care. Find out more and take the first step towards becoming an aged care worker.
Find out moreExperience and qualifications have the biggest impact on aged care worker salaries, however, sometimes there are other factors such as the type of work shift, location and employer benefits.
Being flexible around when you work can lead to pay perks because the type of shift, such as the time of day or day of the week, will influence your pay rate in aged care roles. For example, night shifts, weekend shifts and public holiday shifts pay a higher hourly rate. Check out the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide to find out more.
You may be able to increase your earning potential by choosing to work in a rural town or remote community. For example, IRT sometimes offers relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses in certain locations, such as the Far South Coast in NSW.
Sometimes if you work in a more specialised aged care centre, it can positively impact your earning potential. Specialised care often requires skilled individuals to cater to the unique needs of older adults and they are remunerated accordingly.
If you take on additional roles, such as team leadership or specialised tasks, this can result in a pay increase because you’re contributing more to the organisation.
Certain aged care employers offer benefits that positively impact your pay, so it’s important to do your research and consider these when applying for aged care jobs. At IRT, for example, aged care worker salaries are higher than the award rate, plus workers enjoy the added benefit of salary sacrificing. This means you pay less tax and receive more pay in your pocket simply because you’re working for an aged care employer with this benefit. You might be surprised to find out just how much of a difference this can make to your take-home pay.
The Federal Government created Award Rates so that pay rates could be regulated in specific industries. The idea is that each industry is unique with different costs and requirements and Award Rates help ensure people are paid a fair wage, while balancing the need for organisations to remain profitable.
In the aged care industry, there are various Award Rates based on your experience (including number of hours worked), qualifications, plus other factors. So, for example an entry-level aged care employee who has worked less than 3 months and less than 500 hours is classified as an Aged Care Employee Level 1 and they earn the associated wage for that level (see table below).
To move to a Level 3, you need to have met 500 hours’ work experience and have obtained a Cert 3 in Individual Support (Ageing), plus the medication skill set qualification. Note: this is not automatic and depends on availability, competence and other factors.
Find out more about IRT and salary packaging
| Classification | Weekly pay rate | Hourly pay rate | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Overtime - Monday to Friday - first 2 hours | Overtime - Monday to Friday - after 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged care employee level 1 | $1,047.60 | $27.57 | $41.36 | $48.25 | $68.93 | $41.36 | $55.14 |
| Aged care employee level 2 | $1,089.00 | $28.66 | $42.99 | $50.16 | $71.65 | $42.99 | $57.32 |
| Aged care employee level 3 | $1,130.90 | $29.76 | $44.64 | $52.08 | $74.40 | $44.64 | $59.52 |
| Aged care employee level 4 | $1,144.20 | $30.11 | $45.17 | $52.69 | $75.28 | $45.17 | $60.22 |
| Aged care employee level 5 | $1,183.00 | $31.13 | $46.70 | $54.48 | $77.83 | $46.70 | $62.26 |
| Aged care employee level 6 | $1,246.80 | $32.81 | $49.22 | $57.42 | $82.03 | $49.22 | $65.62 |
| Aged care employee level 7 | $1,269.10 | $33.40 | $50.10 | $58.45 | $83.50 | $50.10 | $66.80 |
| Classification | Overtime - Saturday | Overtime - Sunday | Less than 8 hour break after sleepover | Less than 10 hour break between shifts | Afternoon shift - starts at 10am and before 1pm | Afternoon shift - starts at 1pm and before 4pm | Night shift - starts at 4pm and before 4am | Night shift - starts at 4am and before 6am |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged care employee level 1 | $55.14 | $55.14 | $55.14 | $55.14 | $30.33 | $31.02 | $31.71 | $30.33 |
| Aged care employee level 2 | $57.32 | $57.32 | $57.32 | $57.32 | $31.53 | $32.24 | $32.96 | $31.53 |
| Aged care employee level 3 | $59.52 | $59.52 | $59.52 | $59.52 | $32.74 | $33.48 | $33.48 | $32.74< |
| Aged care employee level 4 | $60.22 | $60.22 | $60.22 | $60.22 | $33.12 | $33.87 | $34.63 | $33.12 |
| Aged care employee level 5 | $62.26 | $62.26 | $62.26 | $62.26 | $34.24 | $35.02 | $35.80 | $34.24 |
| Aged care employee level 6 | $65.62 | $65.62 | $65.62 | $65.62 | $36.09 | $36.91 | $37.73 | $36.09 |
| Aged care employee level 7 | $66.80 | $66.80 | $66.80 | $66.80 | $36.74 | $37.58 | $38.41 | $36.74 |
In July 2023 the minimum aged care award rates were updated and increased by 15%. The Fair Work Commission made a decision to increase minimum wages by 15% for aged care sector workers covered by certain awards.
This increase applies to home care and aged care worker roles, but it does not apply to administration and support employees. The Government is looking at other roles such as hospitality, maintenance, admin, cleaning so there will likely be further changes.
They also review the award wages every year in July and as part of its Annual Wage Review 2022-23, the Commission announced a 5.57% increase to all modern award minimum wages. This is in addition to the 15% minimum wage increase for some employees working in aged care.
Note: Information and figures subject to change and last updated January 2024
We’re always looking for aged care employees to work directly with our residents, assisting with their daily care needs and offering support with activities such as dressing, personal hygiene and eating meals. We’re also looking for dedicated hospitality aged care employees to assist with meal preparation, laundry duties, table service and maintenance of hygiene and cleaning in our aged care centres.
We have entry level and more senior positions available.
“It’s very rewarding and your clients appreciate everything you do for them. It’s the perfect fit. I have a good relationship with my regular customers and I have no stress with this job.”
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