The transition from Aged Care Award 2024 to 2025 brought notable changes in pay and employment conditions for Australia’s aged care workers. In this article, we compare aged care award pay rates 2024 versus 2025 and highlight what’s changed in wages, classifications, and worker conditions. If you’re an employer or employee in aged care, understanding these differences is crucial for compliance and planning.
What changed from Aged Care Award in 2024 to 2025?
- Pay Rise:
2025 brought a bigger pay boost than 2024. On top of the usual 3.75% annual wage review (from 1 July 2024), many workers received an extra increase from 1 Jan 2025 — about 3% for general staff and up to ~10% for direct care roles. - New Classifications:
A new “Direct Care” stream was added in 2025, separating roles like personal care workers and nursing assistants from “General” aged care staff. This meant reclassified job titles and pay rates. - Coverage Updates:
Some nursing support roles previously under the Nurses Award moved to the Aged Care Award for residential settings. Home care workers stayed under the SCHADS Award, but with a new schedule mirroring the aged care classification changes. - Phased Increases:
Large wage jumps in 2025 were split into two stages – 1 Jan and 1 Oct — unlike 2024, which only had the annual 1 July increase.
How did aged care pay rates increase in 2025 vs 2024?
Wage rates under the Aged Care Award were notably higher in 2025. The table below compares the base hourly and weekly rates of full time/part time between 2024 and 2025 for different classifications:
| Classification | Hourly Rate (2024) | Weekly Rate (2024) | Hourly Rate (2025) | Weekly Rate (2025) |
|
Aged Care Employee Level 1 – General |
$24.87 | $945.10 | $26.51 | $1,007.50 |
|
Cleaner/Food Service Level 2 – General |
$25.86 | $982.50 | $28.62* | $1,087.70* |
|
Aged Care Employee Level 7 – General |
$30.13 | $1,145.00 | $32.12 | $1,220.60 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 1 – Direct Care | $28.60 | $1,086.90 | $30.49 |
$1,158.70 |
| AIN/Personal Care Worker Level 3 – Direct Care | $30.88 | $1,173.30 | $33.27 |
$1,264.30 |
| Aged Care Employee Level 6 – Direct Care | $34.04 | $1,293.60 | $37.14 |
$1,411.40 |
| Senior Cook Level 4 | $31.24 | $1,187.10 | $32.33 |
$1,228.60 |
| Head Chef Level 7 | $34.65 | $1,316.70 | $35.86 |
$1,362.80 |
*Cleaner/food service roles were reclassified from Level 2 in 2024 to Level 3 in 2025, having a larger increase.*
For the complete pay rates, please refer to Fair Work’s pay guide.
Why Were Conditions Changed in 2025? (Direct Care vs General)
The 2025 changes aimed to better reward direct care workers and clarify classifications after the Royal Commission into Aged Care and the FWC’s work value decision found hands-on care roles undervalued.
A new “Direct Care” stream was introduced with higher pay rates and clearer career levels for roles like personal carers and nursing assistants. Nursing assistants in aged care facilities moved from the Nurses Award to the Aged Care Award to simplify coverage and ensure access to these higher rates.
Job descriptions and qualification requirements were updated for both streams, while core conditions like leave, overtime, and allowances stayed mostly the same. Employers had to re-map roles to the new structure — e.g., a Lifestyle Officer may now fall under Direct Care, while senior food service staff kept their higher special rates.
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FAQs About the Aged Care Award
Q1: What’s the difference between the Aged Care Award in 2024 and 2025?
A1: 2025 introduced higher pay rates (especially for care workers) and a new “Direct Care” classification stream. This split roles into Direct Care vs General, replacing the single structure used in 2024.
Q2: How much did pay rates increase?
A2: Most employees saw a 5–7% rise between late 2024 and mid-2025. General Level 1 rose from $24.87 to $26.51/hr. Some (e.g. cleaners, kitchen assistants) gained ~10% due to reclassification. Direct Care workers received 6–8% more on top of the 15% rise from 2023.
Q3: What are “Direct Care” employees?
A3: Staff who provide hands-on support to the elderly (e.g. personal carers, nursing assistants). In 2025 they have Levels 1–6 with higher pay than equivalent General levels.
Q4: Did any roles move to a different award?
A4: Yes. Nursing assistants in residential aged care moved from the Nurses Award to the Aged Care Award. Those in home care are now under a new aged care schedule in the SCHADS Award.
Q5: Were there changes beyond pay?
A5: Mostly pay and reclassification changes. Leave, overtime, and allowances stayed largely the same, though classification updates may affect entitlements for some roles.
Q6: Why did the Fair Work Commission raise wages in 2025?
A6: Following the Aged Care Work Value Case, wages rose to better reflect the skill and responsibility of the work, address staff shortages, and improve sector attractiveness.
Read More：
Updated Aged Care Award Pay Guide
