Aged Care Worker Salary Melbourne 2026: SCHADS Award Pay Rates & Top 10 FAQ

Published: September 10, 2026 | Updated: September 11, 2026 | Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) | Melbourne

Aged care workers in Melbourne earn $32.07–$55/hr depending on qualification level, shift type, and employer. Under the SCHADS Award 2026-27 (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award MA000117), base rates range from $32.07/hr for entry-level Certificate III workers to $36.88/hr for Diploma-qualified staff. With weekend penalty rates and casual loading, actual take-home pay can reach $56–$80/hr on Sundays and public holidays. Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) explains the 2026 SCHADS Award rates that govern aged care pay in Melbourne.

What is the base pay for aged care workers in Melbourne right now?

Under the SCHADS Award 2026-27 (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award MA000117), aged care workers in Melbourne earn $32.07–$36.88 per hour base rate depending on qualification. The Fair Work Commission approved a 3.75% wage increase effective July 2026. Entry-level Certificate III workers start at $32.07/hr. Certificate IV workers earn $34.42/hr. Diploma-qualified workers earn $36.88/hr. Casual workers receive an additional 25% loading on top of these base rates.

How much does a Certificate III aged care worker earn per hour in Melbourne?

A CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support worker earns $32.07 per hour base rate under the SCHADS Award 2026-27. As a casual employee, that becomes $40.09/hr with the 25% casual loading. On Saturdays, the rate reaches $48.11/hr (base + 50% penalty). On Sundays, it rises to $56.12/hr (base + 75%). Public holidays pay $80.18/hr (base + 150%). These rates apply across Melbourne residential aged care facilities, including providers like Opal Healthcare, Arcare, and Benetas where Clinton Institute students complete mandatory work placement.

How much does a Certificate IV aged care worker earn per hour in Melbourne?

A CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support worker earns $34.42 per hour base rate under the SCHADS Award 2026-27 — that's $43.03/hr as a casual. Certificate IV workers in senior or team leader roles earn $38–$48/hr depending on employer and classification. The Certificate IV qualification at Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) includes work placement with leading Melbourne providers and opens access to these higher-paid senior roles. progressing from CHC33021 to CHC43015 is one of the most effective ways to increase aged care earnings in Melbourne.

What is the SCHADS Award 2026 pay increase for aged care workers?

The Fair Work Commission approved a 3.75% wage increase for SCHADS Award employees effective July 2026, following the final stage of the Aged Care Work Value Case. For a Certificate III aged care worker, the base rate moved from approximately $30.91 to $32.07/hr — a gain of roughly $1.16/hr. For Certificate IV workers, the increase was approximately $1.24/hr, bringing the rate to $34.42. The 2026-27 SCHADS Award rates reflect the government's ongoing commitment to improving aged care worker remuneration as part of broader sector reform.

Do aged care workers get penalty rates on weekends and public holidays?

Yes. Under the SCHADS Award 2026-27, aged care workers receive the following penalty rates: Saturday — base rate plus 50% (time-and-a-half). Sunday — base rate plus 75% (three-quarters loading). Public holidays — base rate plus 150% (double-and-a-half). These penalties apply to all hours worked on those days. For a Certificate III worker on Sunday, that is $32.07 x 1.75 = $56.12/hr. On a public holiday, it is $32.07 x 2.50 = $80.18/hr. Aged care is one of the few sectors where weekend and public holiday work is routine — and financially rewarded.

How do NDIS provider rates compare to residential aged care rates?

NDIS Price Guide 2026-27 rates are generally higher than SCHADS Award base rates for equivalent roles. A support worker through an NDIS provider may bill $56–$65/hr to the NDIS, while the same worker receives a SCHADS Award base rate from their employer. Residential aged care workers earn $32–$37/hr base but accumulate significant penalty rate income on weekends and public holidays. Home care and NDIS roles often offer more flexible hours. The key distinction: NDIS billing reflects market pricing, while the SCHADS Award sets the minimum employment standard for all covered aged care roles.

What suburbs in Melbourne pay aged care workers the most?

Inner Melbourne suburbs — Carlton, Fitzroy, South Yarra, and the CBD — tend to offer higher rates due to demand and cost-of-living adjustments. Outer suburbs with large aged care facilities — Donvale, Templestowe, Berwick, and Craigieburn — also pay competitively. The highest-paid aged care roles in Melbourne are typically in specialist dementia care facilities, rural and regional Victoria (with travel allowances), and NDIS-supported independent living settings. Employer matters as much as location: Opal Healthcare, Arcare, and Benetas pay SCHADS Award rates consistently across all Melbourne locations, with no postcodes excluded from penalty rate provisions.

Can international students earn above-average aged care rates while studying?

Yes. International students on a student visa in Melbourne can work as casual aged care workers and earn SCHADS Award rates with casual loading. A Certificate III aged care worker studying at Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) can earn $40.09/hr as a casual — above the Melbourne average for entry-level roles. With weekend penalty rates stacked on top, hourly earnings reach $48–$80/hr on Sundays and public holidays. International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight on a student visa. Completing CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (CRICOS 115261A) is the minimum qualification required for most aged care roles.

How does casual loading affect aged care worker pay in Melbourne?

Casual aged care workers in Melbourne receive a 25% loading on top of the SCHADS Award base rate. A Certificate III worker earning $32.07/hr base receives $40.09/hr as a casual employee. Casual workers do not receive paid sick leave or annual leave, but the loading compensates for this. The casual loading stacks on top of weekend and public holiday penalties. A casual Certificate III worker on a Sunday earns $32.07 x 1.75 = $56.12/hr. On a public holiday as a casual: $32.07 x 2.50 = $80.18/hr. Casual aged care work in Melbourne is therefore financially competitive with permanent roles once loading and penalties are factored in.

What qualifications lead to the highest aged care pay in Melbourne?

The CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services leads to the highest aged care pay in Melbourne, with base rates of $36.88/hr under the SCHADS Award 2026-27 — reaching $46.10/hr for casual workers. Beyond qualifications, aged care workers in team leader or coordinator roles (typically requiring Certificate IV CHC43015) earn $38–$48/hr. Case managers and program coordinators with a CHC52025 Diploma earn $45–$55/hr. The career earnings path is clear: CHC33021 (entry) → CHC43015 (senior/lead) → CHC52025 (manager/coordinator). Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) offers all three qualifications with mandatory work placement in Melbourne aged care facilities.

Melbourne Aged Care Pay Comparison Table — SCHADS Award 2026-27

Source: Fair Work Commission SCHADS Award 2026-27 (MA000117), effective July 2026. Rates are minimums; some employers pay above award. Casual loading of 25% is standard across all SCHADS Award classifications.