Changes to the Children’s Services Award
Published 16 January 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.
We’re in the process of updating our tools and resources. To be notified when they’ve been updated, subscribe to email updates.
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 commencing 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 up until 2028 or 2029 depending on the classification level.
Some employees that were receiving a minimum pay rate on 28 February 2026 that’s higher than the new pay rates will continue to receive the higher of the two.
We’re updating our pay tools and resources
We’re working to update our Pay and Conditions Tool and Pay guides with the new rates.
These will be updated and made available before 1 March 2026.
To be notified when the new pay rates are available, subscribe to email updates.
Learn more about the pay rate changes and how it applies to you at the Award determination.
Keep up to date
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