What Employers Are Actually Paying Aged Care Workers in Melbourne Right Now (August 2026)

Published: August 20, 2026 | Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) | Melbourne

Melbourne aged care employers are paying $34-$45/hr under the SCHADS Award as of August 2026, following the 4.75% Fair Work Commission increase effective 1 July 2026. Certificate III qualified workers earn $37-$41/hr; experienced workers reach $41-$45/hr. Weekend penalty rates of 150-200% make Saturday-Sunday shifts worth $68-$90/hr for qualified staff.

How much do aged care workers earn in Melbourne in August 2026?

Under the Fair Work Commission's SCHADS Award (MA000009), aged care workers in Melbourne are earning approximately $34-$37/hr at entry level, $37-$41/hr with a Certificate III qualification (CHC33021), and $41-$45/hr for experienced workers as of August 2026. These rates reflect the 4.75% pay increase that took effect on 1 July 2026 — the largest SACS Award increase in recent years and a direct response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's wage recommendations.

St Vincent's, one of Melbourne's largest aged care employers, is advertising 3,500+ roles across the city. Opal Healthcare, Arcare, and Benetas — Clinton Institute's work placement partners — are all actively recruiting and passing the SCHADS increase through to their workforce. The NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2026-27 has factored these higher award costs into provider funding, meaning higher pay is now structurally embedded in the sector rather than a temporary measure.

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

The Fair Work Commission increased the SCHADS Award by 4.75% effective 1 July 2026. This lifted minimum aged care worker pay across all classifications. For entry-level workers (Level 2 under SCHADS), the new minimum is approximately $34-$37/hr. For Certificate III qualified workers (Level 3), the rate is approximately $37-$41/hr. For experienced workers and team leaders (Level 4+), rates reach $41-$45/hr.

Clinton Institute's trainer Laiju Thomas, a Certificate IV trainer and assessor, notes: "The July 2026 increase is significant. We are now seeing employers competing aggressively for Certificate III and Certificate IV qualified staff. Students who complete their qualification and gain placement experience with a partner like Arcare or Benetas are entering the job market at exactly the right time."

Which Melbourne suburbs pay the most for aged care workers?

Melbourne's highest-paying aged care roles are concentrated in growth corridors and NDIS-dense areas where demand consistently outstrips supply.

Craigieburn (986+ listings) — Northern growth corridor with new residential development driving sustained demand. Entry rates match the award minimum; experienced workers earn the premium rates due to geographic shortage of qualified staff.

Dandenong (921+ DSW listings specifically) — NDIS participant density is highest in Melbourne's south-east, driving disability support worker pay above standard aged care rates. Multiple employers actively pay above award to attract qualified Certificate III and IV staff.

Frankston (600+ listings) — Peninsula location creates geographic isolation that employers compensate with regional loadings. Aged care facility expansion on the peninsula is creating new roles faster than the local workforce can fill them.

Cranbourne and Preston round out the high-demand zones. Across all suburbs, entry-level aged care work starts at $34-$37/hr; Certificate III qualified workers command $37-$41/hr; experienced workers reach $41-$45/hr. The difference between suburbs is most pronounced at the experienced end, where Craigieburn and Dandenong employers regularly offer above-rate packages to secure qualified staff.

How much does a Certificate III in Individual Support earn in Melbourne?

Aged care workers with CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (CRICOS 115261A) earn approximately $37-$41/hr under the SCHADS Award in Melbourne as of August 2026. This qualification is the minimum requirement for most direct care roles in residential aged care and home care settings. The July 2026 pay increase means Certificate III qualified workers are now earning significantly above the previous floor rate — a material improvement driven by the Royal Commission's aged care workforce recommendations.

With Clinton Institute's 6-month CHC33021 program, students can qualify and enter the workforce at the $37-$41/hr band within a single student visa cycle. The mandatory work placement with Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas gives graduates not just a qualification but direct employer relationships that often convert to part-time employment during study and full-time roles after completion.

What is the difference between aged care and disability support worker pay?

Both aged care and disability support workers are covered by the SCHADS Award (MA000009), but disability support roles — particularly those registered under the NDIS — often attract a market premium. Dandenong has 921+ disability support worker listings actively paying above award rates to attract qualified staff. The NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2026-27 has factored higher award costs into provider funding, meaning NDIS-registered providers can sustain these premiums.

Experienced disability support workers in Melbourne earn $41-$45/hr, with NDIS-specific providers frequently offering higher rates than standard aged care facilities. Workers with CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support can work across both aged care and disability support settings — the qualification is dual-rated. Workers who progress to CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CRICOS 115262M) can take on supervisory and case coordination roles in the NDIS space, opening access to the $45-$55/hr pay band.

How much do experienced aged care workers earn in Melbourne?

Experienced aged care workers in Melbourne — typically those with Certificate IV (CHC43015, CRICOS 115262M) or several years of direct care experience — earn approximately $41-$45/hr under the SCHADS Award as of August 2026. Team leaders and care coordinators, often Diploma-qualified (CHC52025, CRICOS 115263K), earn $45-$55/hr.

Weekend penalty rates make an enormous difference to actual weekly earnings. Under the SCHADS Award, Saturday attracts a 150% penalty (time and a half) and Sunday attracts 200% (double time). For an experienced aged care worker on $42/hr, a full Sunday shift earns $84/hr. A student working 16 hours on Saturday and Sunday grosss approximately $1,216 in that single weekend — before tax. This makes part-time weekend aged care work a highly viable supplementary income for international students studying in Melbourne.

How many aged care jobs are there in Melbourne right now?

SEEK shows 10,276 aged care support jobs nationally as of August 2026. Jobstreet lists 41,262 active community services roles. In Melbourne specifically, Indeed has 352+ casual aged care positions and 921+ disability support worker listings in the Dandenong area alone. St Vincent's is advertising 3,500+ roles across Melbourne. The Australian Government projects approximately 75,000 new care roles nationally by the end of 2026, making aged care one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in Victoria.

This demand is not speculative — it reflects structural undersupply driven by an ageing population, the NDIS's expanded participant base (new SIL provider registration requirements effective 1 July 2026), and the ongoing transition from Home Care Packages to the Support at Home Program. Employers are hiring now, not planning to hire.

Aged Care Worker Pay Rates — Melbourne August 2026

Source: Fair Work Commission SCHADS Award MA000009, 4.75% increase effective 1 July 2026. Rates are indicative and vary by employer, suburb, and classification. Penalty rates: Saturday 150%, Sunday 200%, Public Holiday 250%.

How do I qualify for higher aged care pay in Melbourne?

The pathway to the highest-paid aged care roles in Melbourne runs through formal qualifications. CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (6 months, CRICOS 115261A) is the entry point. From there, CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (12 months, CRICOS 115262M) opens team leader and senior care roles. CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services (18 months, CRICOS 115263K) leads to case management and coordinator positions at the top of the pay scale.

Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) offers all three CRICOS-registered qualifications with mandatory work placement. Students gain both the qualification and the placement hours required for formal registration — the combination employers value most. With 75,000 new care roles projected nationally by end of 2026, there has never been a better time to qualify.