Reference, not a rulebook
Pay guide by sector.
Indicative award minimums for each sector we list roles in — a baseline to check any offer against, not a ceiling on what you should be paid.
Sector
Relevant award
Indicative minimum
Residential Aged Care
Aged Care Award 2010
$24.98–$27.83/hr
Home Care & Community Services
SCHADS Award (Home Care)
$27.72–$31.53/hr
NDIS & Disability Support
SCHADS Award (Disability Services)
$27.72–$31.53/hr
Government, Public Sector & Defence Health
Public sector / enterprise agreement (varies by jurisdiction)
Varies by state, territory, and classification
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
$29.62–$46.05/hr
Hospitals & Acute Healthcare
Nurses Award 2020 / Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
$29.72–$46.05/hr
Rates are illustrative and simplified, not sourced from a live award database. Always confirm your exact classification and entitlements with Fair Work Ombudsman or your union.
Beyond the rates
Resources & links
Here's where to go for the official word on tax, super, leave and registration — sourced directly from the ATO, Fair Work Ombudsman, AHPRA, Services Australia and NSW Health, not a private advice site.
Tax return
- Nurses and midwives – income and work-related deductions (ATO) — the ATO's own list of what nurses and midwives can and can't claim as a work-related deduction, with examples.
- Community workers and direct carers – income and work-related deductions (ATO) — the equivalent deductions guide for aged care, disability and home care support workers.
- How to lodge your tax return (ATO) — walks through the three ways to lodge (myTax, a registered tax agent, or paper) and the relevant deadlines.
Superannuation
- Super from your employer (ATO) — explains the super guarantee rate, when your employer must pay it, and what to do if they haven't.
- Transferring or consolidating your super (ATO) — how to find and merge multiple super accounts into one via myGov, so you're not paying duplicate fees.
- Salary sacrificing super (ATO) — how putting extra pre-tax salary into super works, and the contribution caps to watch.
Salary packaging
- Salary sacrificing for employees (ATO) — the plain-English rundown of how a salary packaging arrangement works and what can be packaged.
- FBT-exempt organisations (ATO) — many aged care, hospital and not-for-profit employers qualify for higher tax-free salary packaging caps; this explains the concession that makes it possible, so you can ask HR whether it applies to you.
Award pay rates & leave entitlements
- Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) (Fair Work Ombudsman) — free calculator that finds your award and works out your correct pay, including penalty rates and allowances.
- Annual leave (Fair Work Ombudsman) — how much paid leave you're entitled to under the National Employment Standards and how it accrues.
Overtime & penalty rates
- Overtime pay (Fair Work Ombudsman) — when overtime applies and how it's calculated under your award.
- Penalty rates (Fair Work Ombudsman) — extra pay you're entitled to for weekends, public holidays, and evening or night shifts.
Registration, CPD & professional indemnity insurance
- Registration renewal (AHPRA) — how and when to renew your registration through the Ahpra portal.
- Continuing professional development (AHPRA) — the CPD hours and evidence you need to keep your registration current.
- Professional indemnity insurance arrangements (AHPRA) — what cover you're required to have, and what your employer's policy does and doesn't cover.
Parental leave
- Parental Leave Pay (Services Australia) — eligibility, payment rate and how to claim government-funded parental leave.
Vaccination & screening requirements
- Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination FAQ (NSW Health) — what immunisation and screening is required to work in a clinical or care setting. NSW-specific — requirements are broadly similar but set separately by each state and territory health department.
