This guide explains how aged care pay is structured — so you can read any job ad and understand what you'd actually take home — rather than quoting a single number that dates quickly.
How aged care pay works
Pay for most direct-care roles (Personal Care Worker, Assistant in Nursing) is governed by the Aged Care Award. A few things drive what you earn:
- Your classification level — pay rises as you move up the award's classification levels with experience and responsibility.
- Casual vs permanent — casual workers receive a loading on top of the base hourly rate (in place of paid leave), so their headline hourly rate is higher.
- Penalty rates — extra pay for weekends, public holidays, evenings and night/sleepover shifts. In aged care, which runs 24/7, these shifts are common and can lift your effective pay noticeably.
- Superannuation — paid on top of your wages.
Because of this, two people in the "same" role can take home quite different amounts depending on their level, shift pattern and whether they're casual or permanent.
Personal care and support roles
Personal Care Workers, Assistants in Nursing and similar entry-to-mid roles are paid hourly under the Aged Care Award. As a guide, expect the base rate to sit within the award's classification range, with casual and penalty loadings on top — a weekend or night shift will pay more per hour than a weekday day shift. For the exact current rate for a given classification, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (P.A.C.T.) and select the Aged Care Award.
Nurses in aged care (EN and RN)
Enrolled Nurses (EN) and Registered Nurses (RN) generally earn more than personal care roles, reflecting their qualifications and clinical responsibility, and are more often paid an annual salary (though some roles, especially casual, are quoted hourly). Nurse pay is set by the relevant nursing award or an enterprise agreement, and also attracts penalties for unsociable shifts. Again, check current figures via Fair Work or the specific employer's agreement.
What makes your pay go up
If you want to increase what you earn in aged care, the main levers are:
- Move up classification levels with experience.
- Take penalty-rate shifts (weekends, nights) if they suit you.
- Upskill — progress from Personal Care Worker toward Enrolled or Registered Nurse, or into team leader, care coordination or management roles.
- Choose casual for a higher headline hourly rate if you value flexibility over paid leave — we weigh this up in casual vs permanent aged care work.
Is aged care work well paid?
Aged care isn't the highest-paying sector, but it offers secure, in-demand work, strong flexibility, penalty rates that reward shift work, and a clear path to higher pay through further qualifications. For many people — especially those entering without a degree — it's a stable income with room to grow, and the non-financial rewards of the work matter too. If pay is your main question, the honest answer is: it's fair for entry-level work, and it climbs meaningfully as you gain qualifications and move up.
Where to check current pay rates
Award rates change (typically each 1 July), so always confirm current figures at the source:
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Pay and Conditions Tool (P.A.C.T.) for the Aged Care Award and nursing awards.
- The job ad itself — many employers state the rate; on Care Career, when a rate is provided it's shown on the listing.
- Enterprise agreements — some providers pay above-award rates under their own agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How much do aged care workers earn in Australia?
Most are paid an hourly rate under the Aged Care Award, which rises with classification level and includes casual loading and penalty rates for weekends, public holidays and night shifts. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman for current rates.
Are aged care workers paid hourly or a salary?
Personal care roles are usually paid hourly. Enrolled and Registered Nurses are often paid an annual salary, though some roles are quoted hourly.
Do aged care workers get penalty rates?
Yes. Aged care operates 24/7, so weekend, public holiday, evening and night shifts typically attract penalty rates on top of the base hourly rate.
How can I earn more in aged care?
Move up classification levels with experience, take penalty-rate shifts, and upskill toward nursing or coordination roles. Casual roles carry a higher headline hourly rate in place of paid leave.
