Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rate guide

First published: June 2025

Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates are set by the Aged Care Award. Recent reforms in the aged care sector have led to aged care workers in Australia receiving multiple pay rises in the past few years due to an investigation into workforce attraction and retention via the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s 2021 report.

In this blog, we’ll cover what you can expect to earn with a Certificate IV in Aged Care in permanent and casual positions. We’ll also provide details of additional allowances and ways to upskill your qualification. 

Table of contents

• What does a Certificate IV in Aged Care worker do?
• Full-time Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates 
• Casual Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates
• Additional allowances in the Aged Care Award
• How to upskill and build on your Certificate IV in Aged Care

What does a Certificate IV in Aged Care worker do?

An aged care worker who has a Certificate IV in Aged Care is responsible for duties such as:

• Assisting with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)
• Providing emotional support and taking part in leisure and lifestyle activities
• Liaising with registered nurses and management to provide care in line with care plans
• Maintaining a safe environment for residents to live

You also have the opportunity to upskill and take on additional duties and responsibilities. A Medication Competency course will give you the skills and knowledge to assist with administering medications (under the supervision of registered nurses).  

Aged care workers with a Certificate IV in aged care can also be promoted into a team leader role, assisting clinical nurses with carrying out their duties. As a team leader, you’ll focus on each resident’s care and teach other aged care workers to approach their work with the same mindset.

Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates for aged care workers in Australia

There is a range of factors that affect pay points for aged care workers with Certificate IVs. These include: 

• Experience in the aged care industry
• Employer type – private vs. not-for-profit organisations
• Additional allowances and bonuses

A comprehensive guide on Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates and salary brackets is below: 

Full time pay rates

On average, a full-time permanent aged care worker with a Certificate IV in Aged Care who works 38 hours per week will earn a minimum of $1,119.50 per week or an hourly rate of $29.46. 

Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates for those employed on a full-time basis are below: 

Classification	Weekly (38 hours) pay rate	Hourly pay rate
Aged care employee – direct care – level 1 – introductory	$1,119.50	$29.46
Aged care employee – direct care – level 2 – Direct Carer	$1,168.10	$30.74
Aged care employee – direct care – level 3 – Qualified	$1,221.50	$32.14
Aged care employee – direct care – level 4 – Senior	$1,253.90	$33.00
Aged care employee – direct care – level 5 – Specialist	$1,299.40	$34.19
Aged care employee – direct care – level 6 – Team leader	$1,363.70	$35.89

Equally, you may opt for part-time work. Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates for those working less than 38 hours a week are set on an hourly basis, following the model above. 

Casual pay rates

A lot of aged care workers opt to work on a casual basis, picking up last-minute shifts to fill in annual or sick leave. This option gives you flexibility and variety in your working week. 

Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates for those working on a casual basis are: 

Classification	Hourly pay rate
Aged care employee – direct care – level 1 – introductory	$36.83
Aged care employee – direct care – level 2 – Direct Carer	$38.43
Aged care employee – direct care – level 3 – Qualified	$40.18
Aged care employee – direct care – level 4 – Senior	$41.25
Aged care employee – direct care – level 5 – Specialist	$42.74
Aged care employee – direct care – level 6 – Team leader	$44.86

This hourly rate includes casual loading, which is an extra payment added in the absence of annual or sick pay. For both permanent and casual aged care workers, additional payments are added on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and overtime hours worked.  Read the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for a full breakdown of Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates.

Allowances for Certificate IV aged care workers

Included with the Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates; additional allowances can be awarded if the employee is eligible. 

Clothing and equipment allowance

Employers that require their employees to wear uniforms supply these to the employee free of charge. If uniforms are not supplied, the employee and employer may agree to a laundry allowance of $0.32 per shift or $1.49 per week, whichever is the lesser amount. 

Leading hand allowance

Employees who are: 

• Placed in charge of a minimum of two employees with the same classification and
• Do not have supervisory responsibility attached to their qualification and position

Are paid a weekly allowance in line with the following scale:

Leading hand in charge of:	% of standard rate
2 – 5 other employees	2.67
6 – 10 other employees	3.81
11 – 15 other employees	4.81
16 or more other employees	5.88

Meal allowance

A meal allowance may be provided at the total cost of $16.20 alongside overtime payments when: 

• A permanent employee is required to work at least one hour extra or when overtime exceeds one hour for casual workers
• If this exceeds four hours, they receive a further allowance of $14.60
• This does not apply if the employee can return home within a meal break

More details on allowances can be found in the Aged Care Award.

Looking to build on your Certificate IV in Aged Care?

Once you have acquired a Certificate IV in Aged Care and have gained experience in this role, you may want to elevate your knowledge and develop your skills further. Aged care jobs that are available to you through upskilling and further study include:

• Enrolled nurse (through a Diploma of Nursing)
• Registered nurse (through a Bachelor of Nursing)
• Lifestyle and leisure coordinator (you can transition to this role through experience or by acquiring a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health)
• Care manager (often, these positions are available to people who are qualified registered nurses and have been working in aged care for some time)

Find out more about aged care salaries in Australia

I’d like to use my Certificate IV in Aged Care. How do I get started?

Certificate IV in Aged Care pay rates can increase over time through work experience and upskilling your qualifications. Working in aged care can look different to everyone, and there are multiple avenues to explore. 

Explore our Certificate IV in Aged Care roles and apply today.