Children's Services Award [MA000120]

Who the Children's Services Award covers

The Children's Services Award covers employers in the children's services and early childhood education industry and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award.

The Children's Services Award also covers labour hire businesses and their employees who are placed with an organisation in the children's services and early childhood education industry.

The children’s services and early childhood education industry means:

  • long day care
  • occasional care
  • nurseries
  • childcare centres
  • day care facilities
  • family based childcare
  • out of school hours care
  • vacation care
  • adjunct care
  • in-home care
  • kindergartens and preschools
  • mobile centres
  • early childhood intervention programs.

Examples of employees covered by the Children’s Services Award include:

  • child care workers
  • room leaders, co-ordinators, assistant directors and directors
  • support workers doing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving, gardening, maintenance and administrative duties.

Check the award for full information on who is covered and the classification descriptions.

Source reference: Children's Services Award [MA000120] clauses 3, 4 and schedule B

Who the Children’s Services Award doesn't cover

The following employers and employees are not covered by the Children's Services Award:

  • carers in family day care
  • qualified preschool and early childhood teachers
  • child minders employed by fitness centres
  • early childhood physical education program providers.

The Children’s Services Award doesn’t cover employers and employees when they are covered by one of the following awards:

  • Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award
  • Higher Education General Staff Award
  • Local Government Award
  • Social and Community Services Award.

Check the award for full information on coverage and classifications.

Source reference: Children's Services Award [MA000120] clauses 3, 4 and schedule B

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Employees must be paid at least award pay rates and entitlements.

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