Children's Services Award Allowances 2025–26
Rates effective 1 March 2026 · MA000120
Allowances under the Children's Services Award are extra payments for specific conditions, skills, or expenses. They are one of the most commonly missed entitlements after penalty rates.
Current allowances
| Allowance | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Broken shift allowance | $20.42 per day | If you work a broken shift (a shift with an unpaid break of more than 1 hour), you receive a daily allowance. |
| First aid allowance (not OSHC) | $12.12 per day | If you hold a current first aid qualification and are appointed as the service's first aid officer (not in OSHC), you receive a daily allowance. |
| First aid allowance (OSHC) | $1.57 per hour | If you hold a current first aid qualification and are appointed as the first aid officer in an outside school hours care (OSHC) service, you receive an hourly allowance. |
| Meal allowance | $15.48 per meal | If you are required to work overtime and a meal break falls during that overtime, you are entitled to a meal allowance. |
| Laundry allowance (full-time) | $9.49 per week | If you are required to launder your own uniform, including ironing, you receive a weekly laundry allowance (full-time employees). |
| Laundry allowance (part-time/casual) | $1.90 per day | If you are required to launder your own uniform, including ironing, you receive a daily laundry allowance (part-time and casual employees). |
| Vehicle allowance — car | $0.99 per km | If you are required to use your own car for work purposes, you receive a per-kilometre allowance. |
| Vehicle allowance — motorcycle | $0.33 per km | If you are required to use your own motorcycle for work purposes, you receive a per-kilometre allowance. |
See also: Pay rates | Allowances & loadings guide
Source: Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000120, effective 1 March 2026.
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