Children's Services Award 2026: Wage Increases & Reclassification
Two major reforms commenced from 1 March 2026 for employees covered by the Children's Services Award 2010, following the Fair Work Commission's gender-based undervaluation priority review.
1. A new classification structure
A streamlined classification framework replaced the previous structure, intended to improve clarity around role expectations, career progression and pay levels. Providers must ensure every employee is correctly reclassified, incorrect classification is a common underpayment risk.
2. Staged wage increases
The decision introduced wage increases to correct historical gender-based undervaluation. These are being implemented progressively, beginning 1 March 2026, with further staged increases each 30 June from 2026.
The Worker Retention Payment
The Worker Retention Payment (a top-up above award) was extended on 17 June 2026, with a further $3.6 billion to continue it for another two years. For providers already paying it, the award increases are largely absorbed into the existing payment. Family Day Care and In-Home Care workers become eligible for the first time from July 2026.