Personal Care Worker Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated 01/06/2026

Personal Care Workers in Melbourne earn a median salary of $70,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $60,000 and $79,582. That sits 24% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 54 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 20% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +7 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$60,000 – $79,582

Median: $70,000

Apr $70k

May $70k

→ Stable

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

Mid level

$60,000 – $79,582

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% $60,000 Median $70,000 $79,582 Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Personal Care Workers in Melbourne earned $70,000 at the median in May, unchanged from April, with 54 listings (up 7). The stable median and growing listing volume reflect Melbourne's healthcare and disability sector continuing to expand. At 23.5% below Melbourne's all-roles median, the role sits significantly below the city average, and Melbourne's high cost of living makes this one of the more financially constrained roles in the dataset on a real-income basis. The 28% spread ($60,000-$79,582) shows consistent award-linked pay.

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?

Personal Care Workers in Melbourne start at around $60,000 at the p10. This floor captures casual and part-time arrangements. Full-time permanent positions in residential aged care or disability support typically start at $64,000-$68,000 once penalty rates and allowances are factored in. A Certificate III in Individual Support is required for most residential roles.

Is $70,000 a good salary in Melbourne?

No. At $70,000, a Melbourne Personal Care Worker earns 23.5% below the city's all-roles median in one of Australia's most expensive cities. The financial pressure on care workers in Melbourne is real and well-documented; government funding reform through the aged care and NDIS price frameworks has not kept pace with Melbourne's cost base. The role's value lies in job security and purpose rather than salary competitiveness.

How much does a Senior Personal Care Worker make in Melbourne?

Experienced Personal Care Workers in Melbourne reach $79,582 at the p90. This ceiling is associated with permanent full-time roles in well-resourced facilities, those with specialist training in palliative care or complex disability support, or casual workers consistently working full-time hours with penalty rate accumulation. Moving into a Team Leader or Care Coordinator role is the standard income progression path.

Other roles in Melbourne

Personal Care Worker salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page)	$70,000	—
Brisbane	$72,762	+4%
Adelaide	$72,574	+4%

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