Support Worker Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Support Workers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $79,026 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $65,416 and $100,000. That sits 14% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 32 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 50th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +9 listings vs last month
💰 Support Worker · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$65,416 – $100,000
Median: $79,026
Apr $79k
May $79k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $65,000 – $100,000
Overall $65k–$100k Mid $65k–$100k $63k $71k $79k $87k $95k $103k
Moderate confidence 32 listings (+9 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $65,416 Median  $79,026 $100,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Support Workers in Melbourne earned $79,026 at the median in May, essentially unchanged from April (down $14), with 32 listings (up 9). The volume increase while the median held flat signals growing demand without wage movement. At 13.7% below Melbourne's all-roles median in a high-cost city, Support Workers remain among the most financially constrained employed professionals in the dataset. The 44% spread ($65,000-$100,000) is wider than Brisbane's or Perth's, reflecting Melbourne's diverse disability and aged care sector with a range from entry-level personal care to complex disability support roles at the ceiling.

Take Home Pay (based on median $79,026)

Weekly (net)
~$1,179
Monthly (net)
~$5,108
Annual (net)
~$61,295
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $88,113

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Support Worker in Melbourne?
Support Workers starting in Melbourne earn around $65,000 at the p10. A Certificate III in Individual Support is the standard entry requirement, and most roles at this level are in disability residential, SIL, or community access support. Reaching the $79,026 median typically requires full-time permanent employment with penalty rate loading, ideally in a complex disability or behaviour support setting.
Is $79,026 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $79,026, a Melbourne Support Worker earns 13.7% below the city's all-roles median in one of Australia's most expensive cities. The role requires significant physical and emotional labour, and the SCHADS Award framework does not fully reflect the complexity of modern disability support work. Melbourne's housing costs make $79,026 financially very tight for independent living.
How much does a Senior Support Worker make in Melbourne?
Experienced Support Workers in Melbourne reach $100,000 at the p90. This ceiling captures workers in complex SIL environments, those with positive behaviour support qualifications, or long-term permanent employees with consistent penalty rate and overtime loading. Moving into a Team Leader or Support Coordinator role is the standard income progression pathway above the ceiling.

Other roles in Melbourne

Support Worker salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $79,026 —
Adelaide $80,000 ~same
Brisbane $77,587 ~same
Sydney $76,896 -3%
Perth $76,570 -3%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.