Salary Guide for Domestic Staff
Australia
In Australia, the compensation for private household professionals varies according to experience and the candidate's salary expectations. The following provides a guideline for minimum recommended salaries for household professionals in Australia.
Minimum Salary Expectations
- Award with limited experience from $35.77ph
- (less than 3 years of experience)from $40.00ph
- (more than 3 years of experience) from $45.00ph
- (more than 5 years of experience)from $50.00ph
- Maternity & Doula trained from $50.00ph
Placements in Australia must adhere to the
following requirements:
- 12% Superannuation payments
- Fuel & work tools reimbursement
- Minimum salary as established by Fair Work Australia
- minimum of four hours of work per day (is prefered)
- overtime, holiday pay, and sick pay is to be provided
INTERNATIONAL
Private household professionals' salaries are determined on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon individual experience. Candidates typically possess their own salary expectations, which are negotiable based on the overall compensation package offer.
Salaries are from:
- Less than 3 years: from £1000.00 per week
- 5 years or more from £1400.00 per week
Specialised Nannies:
- Travel Nanny: from AU$2000.00 per week,
- Exclusive of return flights
- Maternity Nurses: from $65.00AUD per hour
- Doulas: From $85.00AUD per hour
- House Manager:
£1400.00GBP
Live in - Employer must provide
- paid weekly or per month.
- one (1) month of paid holiday leave each year.
- one (1) round-trip flight from Employee’s home country to the Employer’s residence, with the
- flight to be arranged and paid for by the Employer.
- comprehensive medical insurance for the Employee, covering non-cosmetic medical treatments and emergencies.
- private room or apartment and bathroom, with access to a lockable door for privacy and security.
- three (3) staff meals per day
- access to the internet
for the Employee’s usage
.
National Average Hourly Rates
While these figures reflect the minimum benchmark rates, families should be aware that the average pay for an experienced nanny sits closer to $40 per hour, plus superannuation. Highly qualified nannies with strong references, childcare credentials, or additional household responsibilities often command this higher rate, particularly in metropolitan areas where demand is strongest.
Not inclusive of super
- Casual: $34.61
- Permanent: $35.84
By State – Casual:
- ACT: $38.33
- NSW: $36.15
- QLD: $35.15
- SA: $37.75
- TAS: $30.00
- VIC: $33.85
- WA: $30.59
By State – Permanent:
- ACT: $32.02
- NSW: $38.36
- QLD: $33.77
- SA: $34.50
- VIC: $34.91
- WA: $34.86
Why Are Nanny Rates Increasing?
1. National and State Movements
The national casual average has lifted from $34.26 in 2024 to $35.19 in 2025 (+2.7%).
- Biggest jumps: NSW (+4%) and SA (+3%).
- Smallest changes: TAS ($30.00) and WA ($30.59).
2. Key Drivers Behind 2025 Pay Levels
- Inflation pressures: Families are paying more to keep pace with rising costs of living.
- High demand: A shortage of qualified nannies, particularly in cities, is pushing wages up.
- Award adjustments: The 2024 increase to the Miscellaneous Award created a higher wage floor.
3. Comparison with Award Wages
From July 2024, the Miscellaneous Award minimum for casuals (Level 1) was $25.94 per hour. Actual nanny rates sit well above this benchmark, reflecting strong competition for experienced carers. For permanent roles, the award is even lower, showing the premium families are prepared to pay for reliable childcare.
4. Additional Insights
- Urban vs Regional: Sydney and Melbourne drive up averages in NSW and VIC, while regional states sit lower.
- Role complexity: Families often combine nannying with house management, adding to the rate.
- Superannuation: With contributions moving to 12% in July 2025, families are factoring this cost into hourly pay.
Why Pay Differs by State
- Living costs: Higher expenses in NSW and VIC lift rates.
- Childcare demand: Dual-income and professional households create stronger competition for nannies.
- Local frameworks: State uptake of award benchmarks and compliance influences rate setting.
What Families Should Factor In
When setting a rate, consider:
- Experience & training: Qualified, seasoned carers earn more.
- Duties required: Extra household support or driving duties increase pay.
- Family budget: Balancing affordability with competitiveness is key.
Beyond wages, families also need to plan for:
- Paid leave and sick pay.
- Superannuation.
- Workers’ compensation insurance.
- Vehicle insurance (if the nanny drives your car).
Let’s run the numbers
based on $40/hour plus super (12%):
- Base hourly pay: $40.00
- Super (12%): $4.80
- Total hourly cost to family: $44.80/hour
Weekly Examples
- 20 hrs/week: $896 (incl. super)
- 30 hrs/week: $1,344 (incl. super)
- 40 hrs/week: $1,792 (incl. super)
Annual Example (full-time 38 hrs/week)
- Base pay: $40 × 38 × 52 = $79,040
- Super (12%): $9,484.80
- Total annual cost: $88,524.80
Casual Employment
Definition: Irregular or flexible hours, no guaranteed ongoing work, higher hourly rate to compensate for lack of leave entitlements. Casuals are paid a “casual loading.”
Example:
Mia works for the Johnson family
two afternoons a week during school term only. If they don’t need her next week, there’s no obligation to offer shifts, and she doesn’t get paid sick leave or annual leave.
Permanent Full-Time
Definition: Ongoing employment at 38 hours per week (standard full-time load), entitled to paid annual leave, sick leave, super, and other benefits.
Example:
Sarah works
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm for the Smith family. She’s on payroll, gets
four weeks’ annual leave, 10 days’ sick leave, and superannuation.

Permanent Part-Time
Definition: Ongoing employment, less than 38 hours per week, with a regular agreed pattern of hours. Entitled to leave and super on a pro-rata basis.
Example:
Emma works
Tuesday–Thursday, 9am–3pm every week for the Lee family. Her hours are consistent, she’s entitled to
part-time sick and annual leave, and the family pays her super.
👉 Key Difference:
- Casual = flexible but no security.
- Permanent = secure, with entitlements.
- Part-time = secure, regular pattern, fewer hours.
Fair Work Australia Award Rates
House Manager or Family Assistant which award rate
1. House Manager (if primarily household duties, no direct childcare)
Such roles typically fall under the Miscellaneous Award 2020 \[MA000104
- Designed for jobs not covered by other modern awards
- Classifications depend on duties, skill levels, supervision, etc.
Unfortunately, Fair Work does not provide centralized pay guides for the Miscellaneous Award online.
You’ll need to:
1. Visit the “Miscellaneous Award” page on Fair Work Ombudsman’s site.
2. Check classification structure in Schedule B.
3. Use the Pay & Conditions Tool to calculate rates based on selected duties.
Family Assistant / Family Manager with contact with children
- If the role involves regular childcare or educational duties, it likely falls under the Children’s Services Award 2010 \[MA000120]
- Covers in-home care and other childcare roles ([Fair Work Ombudsman][1], [Fair Work Awards][2])
- As of 1 July 2025, adult base rate is $25.71/hr for Level 2.1
- $39–49/hr for senior roles ([Department of Education][3])
Typical Hourly Rates (post 1 Jul 2025) From Worker Retention Payment supplement; includes wage uplift, Department of Education.
Classification | New min \$/hr
- Level 1.1 (entry/small provider) $27.45
- Level 2.1 (qualified care) $28.28
- Level 3.x (supervisors, diploma level) $30.93–33.00
- Level 4–6 (Director/Assistants) $36.43–49.37
To see your exact rate, identify which level matches your responsibilities, then confirm via the
- Pay & Conditions Tool o
- Children’s Services Award Pay Guide downloadable from Fair Work
- ([Department of Education][3]
- [Fair Work Ombudsman][1],
- [Fair Work Ombudsman][4]).
Summary
House Manager (no child contact): likely under
- Miscellaneous Award 2020 \[MA000104] –
- Check Pay & Conditions Tool for specific rate.
Family Manager / Family Assitant WITH childcare duties:
- Covered by Children’s Services Award \[MA000120]
- $27–49/hr depending on classification level and qualifications.
What to do next:
Use Fair Work’s Pay & Conditions Tool, select your award (Miscellaneous or Children’s Services) and input:
- Full-time or part-time
- Casual vs permanent
- Level/classification
Consider downloading the relevant
- Pay Guide PDF for detailed breakdowns.
AWARD LINKS
- Fair Work Australia MA000120
- Fair Work Australia MA000120
- Dept Education Early childhood providers
- Minimum Wages Pay Guides - Fair Work Ombudsman"
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