Personal Care Worker Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Personal Care Workers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $71,584 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $65,000 and $85,000. That sits 24% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 66 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 17% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +27 listings vs last month
💰 Personal Care Worker · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$65,000 – $85,000
Median: $71,584
Aug $70k
Sep $71k
↑ Trending up

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

Mid level $65,000 – $85,000
Overall $65k–$85k Mid $65k–$85k $63k $67k $72k $77k $82k $87k
Moderate confidence 66 listings (+27 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 66 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 19.7% stated a salary directly. The remaining 80.3% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Fewer than a quarter of these listings stated a salary, so the median leans heavily on estimates.

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Bottom 10%  $65,000 Median  $71,584 $85,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Listings rose 69% from 39 to 66 with the median up $1,584 to $71,000. Brisbane is the only other market with enough listings to compare and it sits at $73,000. The 28% spread running $65,000 to $85,000 is narrow, which is what award-linked aged care produces. Only 19.7% of listings stated a salary, so treat the figure as directional. The useful internal comparison is disability support work at $80,000, which pays $9,000 more for comparable qualifications.

Take Home Pay (based on median $71,584)

Weekly (net)
~$1,085
Monthly (net)
~$4,702
Annual (net)
~$56,421
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $79,816

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?
Entry is $65,000, with a Certificate III in Individual Support or Ageing Support as the standard requirement. Medication assistance competency and dementia care training are what lift a worker within the narrow band available. Most listings are full-time award positions rather than casual shifts.
Is $71,584 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $71,000 a personal care worker earns 23.7% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $1,085 a week against the highest living costs in this report. The tight band means negotiation achieves almost nothing. Disability support work at $80,000 pays $9,000 more and draws on the same Certificate III, which makes it the obvious sideways move.
How much does a Senior Personal Care Worker make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $85,000, which sits above the disability support median, so the top of this band meets the middle of the next. Team leader and care coordination roles are what reach it. Enrolled nursing at $85,000 and registered nursing at $100,000 are the study routes that reset the range.

Other roles in Melbourne

Personal Care Worker salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $71,584 0%
Brisbane $73,398 +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.