Understanding Your New Classification Level in the Children’s Services Award From 2026

From 2026, every educator covered by the Children’s Services Award will move into a new, simplified classification structure. Instead of navigating 30 different levels, educators will transition into one of eight new Children's Services Employee (CSE) levels based on their qualification, experience, and role responsibilities.

This update doesn’t change the work you do; it simply ensures your classification and minimum pay rate accurately reflect the skills, knowledge, and responsibility you bring to your role. Whether you’re new to the sector, a Certificate III educator, a Diploma‑qualified educator, a room leader, or a director, you’ll be able to clearly see where you fit and what your new minimum rate will be by the end of the five‑year transition.

Below is an easy‑to‑read guide showing how each current classification translates into the new structure.

How Your Current Level Translates to the New CSE Structure

CSE Level 1 – Introductory Educator

An employee whose primary role is to work directly with children and who has less than 12 months’ experience as a CSE.

Current levels that move here:

Level 1.1
Level 1.2
Level 1.3

CSE Level 2 – Educator

An employee whose primary role is to work directly with children and who has at least 12 months’ experience as a CSE.

Current levels that move here:

Level 2.1
Level 2.2
Level 3A.1
Level 3A.2

CSE Level 3 – Qualified Educator (Certificate III)

An employee whose primary role is to work directly with children and who has obtained an approved Certificate III-level early childhood education and care qualification.

Current levels that move here:

Level 3.1
Level 3.2
Level 3.3 (with less than 4 years’ experience at Level 3)

CSE Level 4 – Experienced Educator

An employee whose primary role is to work directly with children, who has obtained an approved Certificate III-level early childhood education and care qualification, and who has obtained four years’ post-qualification industry experience at CSE Level 3—Qualified Educator.

Current levels that move here:

Level 3.3 (with 4+ years’ experience at Level 3)

CSE Level 5 – Advanced Educator (Diploma)

An employee whose primary role is to work directly with children and who has completed a diploma-level early childhood education and care qualification or an equivalent approved qualification for out-of-school hours care.

Current levels that move here:

Level 3.4

CSE Level 6 – Room Leader

An employee who has been appointed:

as a Room Leader; or
in out-of-school hours care, to assist a Level 7 or a Level 8 employee.

Current levels that move here:

Level 4A.11
Level 4A.21
Level 4A.31
Level 4A.41
Level 4A.51
Level 4.1
Level 4.2
Level 4.3

CSE Level 7 – Assistant Director / Coordinator

An employee who is appointed as:

the Assistant Director of a service;
Children’s Services Coordinator;
Family Day Care Co-ordinator;
Family Day Care Trainee Supervisor;
Children’s Services Coordinator; or
School Age Care Co-ordinator

and who has completed an AQF Level 5 or Level 6 qualification in early childhood education and care or equivalent, or is deemed by the employer or relevant legislation to hold such qualification or possess such experience as appropriate or required for the position.

Current levels that move here:

Level 5A.1
Level 5A.2
Level 5A.3
Level 5.1
Level 5.2
Level 5.3
Level 5.4

CSE Level 8 – Director

An employee who is appointed:

as the Director of a Service;
in an out-of-school hours or vacation care service, to be responsible for the overall strategic, financial, compliance and operational management of a service

and who has completed a relevant degree or other qualification or is deemed by the employer or relevant legislation to hold such qualification or possess such experience as appropriate or required for the position.

Current levels that move here: