Childcare Award Wages: Classification Levels Explained

[funny]

Hi just wondering I have only just started in childcare and am currently studying my cert3 just wondering what pay rate I should be on. No previous work in child care and currently studying my cert 3 can anyone help I am getting level 1 but have been told that isnt correct. I am 32 years old. can anyone help its very confusing.
Thank You

[Lorina]

According to ACECQA "Working Towards A Qualification" you can be counted as a cert 3 educator if you meet the following requirements:

A person who meets requirements 1 to 4 below may be counted as a certificate III qualified educator. They must also give the approved provider documentary evidence from their course provider that they meet requirements 2 to 4.

The requirements for actively working towards an approved qualification are:
being enrolled in a course for the qualification
having commenced the course
making satisfactory progress towards completion
meeting the requirements to maintain enrolment

Ref: Actively Working Towards A Qualification

If you meet the above requirements as stated by ACECQA you will be on Level 3A...

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

Also, just wanted to ask... what position are you in? Are you an assistant educator in the room?

,
Lorina

[funny]

sorry for the late reply have been so busy thank you for your help I have had a read of this information and this is good to know to possiably have the converstion with the boss I am currently a causal on call float so I am assisting in rooms when the assistant or anyone for that matter is away but since i hold no certs I can not be in a room on my own and am getting paid at lowest rate. level 1.1

[balanceandcomposure]

Hi Lorina,

What level would I be if I've finished my Diploma but not lead educator and will be in the second year at the centre?

I can't figure it out

Thank you!

[Lorina]

Hi Lorina,

What level would I be if I've finished my Diploma but not lead educator and will be in the second year at the centre?

I can't figure it out

Thank you!

You would be on Level 3.4. This is the level of a diploma qualified educator working as an assistant in the room...

Hope this helps!

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

Hi Lorina,

What level would I be if I've finished my Diploma but not lead educator and will be in the second year at the centre?

I can't figure it out

Thank you!

Just wanted to add.. As a Diploma qualified assistant educator your Level won't increase depending on how many years of service you have done. You will always be on Level 3.4. You would need to be a room leader for your wages to increase any more than this...

Hope this helps!

,
Lorina

[JasminLau]

Hi Lorina,

Thank you so much for your information. I will be completing a master of teaching in early childhood degree by October and would like to know what level I am on as I have been offered casual after I finish my studies. My only experience in early childhood was my three unpaid practical experience which was 4 weeks full time 5 days for my last two pracs and my last practical experience is 9 weeks. Not sure whether that counts as "years of work experience"? Would you know how superannuation is calculated if I work as causal ? Thanks so much!

Jasmin

[Lorina]

Hi Lorina,

Thank you so much for your information. I will be completing a master of teaching in early childhood degree by October and would like to know what level I am on as I have been offered casual after I finish my studies. My only experience in early childhood was my three unpaid practical experience which was 4 weeks full time 5 days for my last two pracs and my last practical experience is 9 weeks. Not sure whether that counts as "years of work experience"? Would you know how superannuation is calculated if I work as causal ? Thanks so much!

Jasmin

What position have you been offered as a casual?

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

It depends on what position you are offered as a casual... If you are employed as an ECT within the service then you will be paid based on the Education and Care Teachers Award, however if you are employed as a room leader I think you are only paid as a Diploma qualified...

,
Lorina

[JasminLau]

Thanks Lorina for your reply.

I am wondering why as a room leader I would be paid as Diploma qualified if we are paid according to our qualification, unless we are just filling the headcount as a casual? I have a friend who works as a casual through an agency and she told me that for some particular days, she would be paid by the Diploma rate as the centre just needed someone for that position for that day?

Jasmin

[Lorina]

Yes, as a casual you are usually just "filling in" for ratio purposes... I have read that even with an ECT degree unless you are actually the ECT of the service you wont be paid as such... I'm going to contact Fair Work Australia and just double check that for you... I'll let you know what they say when I get more information from them...

,
Lorina

[Beckey]

Hi, I just have a question regarding childcare pay. I have been running the centre for tive weeks while my director was in holiday. As an educational leader and 2IC, what is the right pay for running the centre for all that week and then you dont get paid as a director. I remember reading your article child care awards pay. And according to my understanding I am suposed to be paid for the higher possition if I am doing it for three conservative days.
I was told not to discuss this with the accountant as she doesnt know that I was the 2IC and will be running the centre while my director is away. I dont even know where to start as I havent even been paid according to what she has discuss with me.
Any help will be teally appreciated as I am thinking of contacting fairwork and see what they will say.

[Lorina]

Hi, I just have a question regarding childcare pay. I have been running the centre for tive weeks while my director was in holiday. As an educational leader and 2IC, what is the right pay for running the centre for all that week and then you dont get paid as a director. I remember reading your article child care awards pay. And according to my understanding I am suposed to be paid for the higher possition if I am doing it for three conservative days.
I was told not to discuss this with the accountant as she doesnt know that I was the 2IC and will be running the centre while my director is away. I dont even know where to start as I havent even been paid according to what she has discuss with me.
Any help will be teally appreciated as I am thinking of contacting fairwork and see what they will say.

Yes, you're right. In the Children's Services Award 2010 it states:

18.1 An employee engaged in duties carrying a higher rate than their ordinary classification for two or more consecutive hours within any shift or day will be paid for the time so worked at the higher rate provided that:

- an employee engaged as a Children’s Services Employee Level 5 (Assistant Director) who is required to undertake the duties of a Director by reason of the Director’s absence will not be entitled to payment under this clause unless the Director’s absence exceeds two complete consecutive working days;

Since you have been running the centre for the past 5 weeks you are entitled to higher duty pay... You will need to bring up the clause in the Children's Services Award with your management at your centre, so you can be paid the correct amount.

Did you get anything in writing?

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

Hi, I just have a question regarding childcare pay. I have been running the centre for tive weeks while my director was in holiday. As an educational leader and 2IC, what is the right pay for running the centre for all that week and then you dont get paid as a director. I remember reading your article child care awards pay. And according to my understanding I am suposed to be paid for the higher possition if I am doing it for three conservative days.
I was told not to discuss this with the accountant as she doesnt know that I was the 2IC and will be running the centre while my director is away. I dont even know where to start as I havent even been paid according to what she has discuss with me.
Any help will be teally appreciated as I am thinking of contacting fairwork and see what they will say.

In regards to the amount owed to you from my understanding is, if you hold a Diploma qualification you will be on Level 6:

Level 6 Director

A Director is an employee who holds a relevant Degree or a 3 or 4 year Early Childhood Education qualification, or an AQF Advanced Diploma, or a Diploma in Children's Services, or a Diploma in Out - of - Hours Care; or is otherwise a person possessing such experience, or holding such qualifications deemed by the employer or the relevant legislation to be appropriate or required for the position, and who is appointed as the director of a service.

A level 6 Director minimum wage is $29.28/per hour.

So, I would discuss the issue with management to find out what will happen with your wages as you took the Directors role for those 5 weeks.

Hope this helps!

,
Lorina

[CLEOKTM]

Hi there!

I'm a newbie to the industry and I'm a little confused as to where I fit in.
I'm currently studying towards my Diploma, which level will that put me at once I finish my studies?
I'm then planning on going on to study towards my Bachelors degree, which level would that be once I am finished?

Any light that you can shed would be much appreciated

Thanks!

[Greenkookaburra]

Hi Lorina,

I am new to the forum, and tried to post this query already, but it didn't seem to appear. If there's a time lag, and I a man jumping in too soon, I apologise in advance for posting twice.

Anyway, thank you for the detailed post. I have seen a job ad for a casual educator at an after school hours care centre. It says it is advertised at the award rate of 3A.1. However, they have asked for childcare qualifications and/or experience. Wouldn't the qualifications mean it would be level 3.1 by your definition? I have a certificate III in Education Support, which I understand qualifies me for the role. Could you please clarify whether the role should be at level 3.1, and how do you suggest I approach it?

Thank you for your help.

[Lorina]

Hi Lorina,

I am new to the forum, and tried to post this query already, but it didn't seem to appear. If there's a time lag, and I a man jumping in too soon, I apologise in advance for posting twice.

Anyway, thank you for the detailed post. I have seen a job ad for a casual educator at an after school hours care centre. It says it is advertised at the award rate of 3A.1. However, they have asked for childcare qualifications and/or experience. Wouldn't the qualifications mean it would be level 3.1 by your definition? I have a certificate III in Education Support, which I understand qualifies me for the role. Could you please clarify whether the role should be at level 3.1, and how do you suggest I approach it?

Thank you for your help.

Yes, you're right. A cert 3 qualified educator starts on Level 3.1. For an Educator to be classified Level 3A - this is an Educator without a cert 3 qualification yet has a cert 3 position. For example - a service cook taking up the assistant educator position would be a level 3A.

It may be an error on their part. However, I would just clarify when going for the interview. If they still insist on level 3A, then don't take the position if it gets offered to you.

,
Lorina

[Greenkookaburra]

Thank you for your answer Lorina.

Just further to that, I now realise that in NSW there are no qualifications required to work as an OSHC educator. So can they use that fact to deny me the correct award level, even though they asked for the qualification for the position (as an essential requirement), or should the correct award level still definitely apply so long as I have the Certificate III? Should I be calling Fair Work Australia?

p.s. I need the work.

Linda

[Lorina]

The correct award level should definitely apply! For all early learning services including OOSH, a minimum cert 3 qualification is required and you should be paid at the correct level definitely! Yes, you can call Fair Work Australia to confirm and to back up your information...

,
Lorina