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.
How much does an aged care worker earn in Australia?
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.
What’s the difference between a general employee and a direct care employee?
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.
What are the aged care night shift pay rates?
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.
