Pay guide
Updated for the 2026-2027 financial year. A fair, honest guide to what nannies and babysitters should be charging in Australia, and what families should expect to pay. Rates should reflect experience, qualifications and the actual scope of the role.
Quick guide
Babysitting usually sits between $25 and $40 an hour depending on experience. Ongoing nanny roles usually sit between $30 and $45 an hour, with higher rates for specialists and highly experienced nannies. New nannies with little or no paid experience should start at the lower end of the range, while qualified, experienced career nannies in demanding roles can reasonably charge more.
Babysitting
Babysitting is usually casual, short notice and evening based, so the hourly rate is higher than a permanent nanny rate to make up for no paid leave. Experience and references matter far more than age.
Under 1 year of paid experience, no formal qualification. Often 16 to 19 years old.
Typically covers: School-age minis, evening sits with a parent contactable nearby.
1 to 3 years of regular paid babysitting, references from at least two families, First Aid.
Typically covers: Evening and weekend sits, bedtime routines, school-age and confident toddlers.
3 to 5+ years, strong references, First Aid and often studying or qualified in education or health.
Typically covers: Toddlers, multiple minis, complex routines, school runs and activities.
Qualified early childhood educator, newborn or additional-needs experience, infant CPR.
Typically covers: Babies under 12 months, additional needs, overnight care, twins.
You must be 18 or over to join our network. Being 18 does not, on its own, justify a premium rate. A nanny charging at the top of the range should be able to point to years of paid work, current references, First Aid and the ability to handle a full day solo, including naps, meals, school runs and a tricky witching hour.
Ongoing nanny roles
These are market rates for ongoing, regular nanny roles. They sit well above the legal minimum, which is what most Australian families actually pay.
| State | Permanent | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| NSW (Sydney) | $35 - $42+ / hr | $37 - $45 / hr |
| VIC (Melbourne) | $35 - $42+ / hr | $37 - $45 / hr |
| QLD (Brisbane & Gold Coast) | $38 - $45 / hr | $40 - $45 / hr |
| WA (Perth) | $33 - $40 / hr | $35 - $42 / hr |
| SA, ACT, TAS & regional | $30 - $36 / hr | $34 - $40 / hr |
Highly experienced nannies managing household tasks, travel or specialised care can sit at $45 to $50+ an hour in Sydney and Melbourne.
The legal floor
$27.08
per hour, permanent
Miscellaneous Award Level 2 minimum for ordinary hours, 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
$33.85
per hour, casual
Includes the 25% casual loading, which replaces paid annual and personal leave.
12%
superannuation
The Super Guarantee rate from 1 July 2025. Domestic workers doing more than 30 hours a week must be paid super.
Nannies do not have a dedicated award and are generally covered by the Miscellaneous Award 2020. Nannies start at Level 1 for the first three months, then move to Level 2. These figures are the legal minimum, not a fair market rate. Always check the current figures with Fair Work.
These are common, reasonable additions. Agree on them up front, in writing, before the first booking.
We only use Australian pay guides and market data, reviewed as at July 2026. Rates move, so please check the source before relying on a figure.
This page is a general guide only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates are indicative and agreed directly between the family and the nanny.