The Children’s Services Award introduces a streamlined classification system and updated pay rates designed to better recognise the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities of early childhood educators. This is part of the Fair Work Commission’s gender-based undervaluation review, designed to properly recognise the professional expertise of early childhood educators and ensure fairer, more transparent career pathways across the sector.
Classification Structure
Classifications under the new Children’s Services Award now provide a clearer pathway for educators, directly linking qualifications, experience, and responsibilities to pay rates. This ensures that minimum wages genuinely reflect the professional skills and leadership educators bring to their roles, while simplifying the structure into eight levels for easier recognition and progression.
New CSE Levels
| Level | Title | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory Educator | Less than 12 months’ experience |
| 2 | Educator | 12+ months’ experience |
| 3 | Qualified Educator | Certificate III |
| 4 | Experienced Educator | Cert III + 4 years post‑qualification experience |
| 5 | Advanced Educator | Diploma |
| 6 | Room Leader | Appointed room leader or OSHC assistant |
| 7 | Assistant Director | Coordinator roles; AQF 5–6 |
| 8 | Director | Service leadership; degree or equivalent |
Minimum Wages for Full-Time and Casual Employees
Now that you can verify which level you are at according to the classification structure, you can determine your minimum wage.
For Cooks Working Toward or Holding ECEC Qualifications
Cooks who:
- hold, or are working toward, an approved ECEC qualification and
- may be required to work directly with children to maintain ratios
must now be paid according to the CSE classification that matches their qualification level.
Examples
- Cook working toward Cert III with 12 months’ experience → Level 1
- Cook with Cert III → Level 3
- Cook with Diploma → Level 5
This ensures qualified or qualifying cooks are recognised for their contribution to educator‑to‑child ratios.
Retained Minimum Rates for Certain Employees
Some employees will keep higher historical rates if those rates exceed the new minimums. This applies to:
- Level 3.3 educators
- Directors at Levels 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9
This protects long‑serving staff from pay reductions.
Further Reading
Understanding Your New Classification Level in the Children’s Services Award From 2026
Wage Increases Over Five Years For Certificate 3 and Diploma-Qualified Educators
The above rates are correct as of 01 March 2026.
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