Changes to the Children’s Services Award
Published 16 January 2026 | Updated 26 February 2026
Learn more about the upcoming changes to classifications and minimum pay rates in the Children's Services Award.
On this page:
What's changing
The Fair Work Commission has announced changes to the Children’s Services Award (Award) as part of its Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review.
These changes take effect from 1 March 2026.
This includes:
- a new classification structure
- changes to minimum rates of pay
- changes to percentages used to calculate some allowances.
Get ready for the changes
It’s important to understand what’s changing in the Award and how it applies to you. Learn more about the changes below.
Changes to classifications
A new classification structure will operate from 1 March 2026.
Changes include:
- simplifying the existing classifications into 8 new Children’s Services Employee (CSE) levels
- adding classification translation arrangements to the Award to help employees and employers understand how employees will move from the old to the new CSE levels.
There are also additional changes for cooks whose employers require them to hold a qualification allowing them to assist as an educator ‘on the floor’ when needed.
Prepare for the changes by reading the classification translation arrangements in the determination.
Pay rate changes
Minimum pay rates in the Award are changing.
For employees whose pay rates are increasing, these changes will apply from their first full pay period starting on or after 1 March 2026.
Increases to minimum pay rates will also increase the amount payable for some allowances under the Award.
Additional pay rate changes will apply on 30 June each year until 2028 or 2029 depending on the classification level.
Employees receiving a minimum pay rate on 28 February 2026 that’s higher than the new pay rates will continue to receive their higher rate.
Prepare for the changes
Our Pay and Conditions Tool has been updated with the new rates.
To view the new rates, select 1 March 2026 as the calculation date when using the tool.
You may need to select a different classification if it's been affected as part of the changes to the Award.
You can also download the 1 March 2026 pay guide below.
Children's Services Award [MA000120] Pay Guide (DOCX) | (PDF)
Learn more about the pay rate changes and how it applies to you at the Award determination.
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