Personal Care Worker Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Personal Care Workers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $70,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $80,000. That sits 26% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 58 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 20% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +4 listings vs last month
💰 Personal Care Worker · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $80,000
Median: $70,000
May $70k
Jun $70k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $55,000 – $80,000
Overall $55k–$80k Mid $55k–$80k $53k $59k $64k $70k $76k $82k
Moderate confidence 58 listings (+4 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

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.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $55,000 Median  $70,000 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Melbourne personal care workers median $70k, sitting 26.3% below the city's all-roles median, with Brisbane paying slightly more ($72.8k). Demand is high (80th percentile) and growing (58 listings, up from 54), yet the median held flat, aged-care and disability funding keeps pay uniform and slow to move. The range ($55k to $80k) is tight, and the clinical ladder above (Registered Nurse $100k) is where care work starts to pay properly. This is a high-demand, funding-capped role rather than a market-priced one.

Take Home Pay (based on median $70,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,065
Monthly (net)
~$4,615
Annual (net)
~$55,383
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $78,050

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 Personal Care Worker in Melbourne?
The band starts around $55k. What lifts a personal care worker toward the $80k top is qualification and shift type: a Cert III or IV in Ageing Support or Individual Support, complex or high-care clients, and sleepover, night or weekend shifts carrying penalty loading. A driver's licence and medication-assistance competency broaden the roster.
Is $70,000 a good salary in Melbourne?
Depends, leaning no. At $70k the median runs 26.3% below Melbourne's $95k all-roles figure and nets about $55.4k after tax. That gap is normal for funding-capped care work rather than a specific employer concern, but it is a low-ceiling wage. The genuine upside is studying toward Enrolled or Registered Nurse ($100k) roles, where care experience translates into real pay.
How much does a Senior Personal Care Worker make in Melbourne?
There is no senior band for this role, pay caps around $80k. Progression is qualification-led: moving into Enrolled Nurse ($85k) or Registered Nurse ($100k) work, or team-leader and care-coordinator roles. A Cert IV plus complex-care experience, and study toward a nursing qualification, is what carries you off the care-worker pay floor.

Other roles in Melbourne

Personal Care Worker salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $70,000 —
Brisbane $72,770 +4%

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension

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.