Salary Guide

Community Support Worker salary guide Australia 2026

The typical Community Support Worker salary in Australia is $77,000, with pay ranging from $67,000 at entry level to $88,000 for experienced practitioners.

What does a Community Support Worker earn?

The median salary of Community Support Workers in Australia is $77,000. Most earnings sit within $67,000–$88,000, moving from $67,000 for new entrants up to $88,000 for senior staff. Holding higher vocational qualifications or developing niche skills in complex care can lift your earning capacity across the sector.

$77,000 median
$67,000
Entry
$67,000–$88,000
Typical range
$88,000
Senior
Junior
$67,000/yr
Mid Level
$78,000/yr
Senior Level
$88,000/yr

Community Support Worker salary by city

Where you live influences your earning potential as a Community Support Worker across Australia. Capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne often present different pay rates compared to regional centres and remote communities.

Sydney Highest
$77,000
Perth
$75,000
Melbourne
$74,000
Brisbane
$74,000
Adelaide
$69,000

Factors that affect Community Support Worker pay

Several key elements shape what you earn as a Community Support Worker in Australia. Understanding these factors helps you negotiate your next pay review or choose your next role.

Formal qualifications

Holding a Certificate III in Individual Support or a Certificate IV in Mental Health often unlocks higher pay bands with reputable providers.

Complex care expertise

Practitioners with experience in trauma-informed care practice or psychosocial disability support frequently secure premium rates.

Shift patterns and penalty rates

Working evening rosters, active night shifts or weekends substantially increases your overall take-home earnings.

Cultural safety proficiencies

Demonstrated skills in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety can lead to specialised community roles with stronger remuneration.

Sector and organisation type

Salaries vary depending on whether you work for not-for-profit organisations, government agencies or private service providers.

How Community Support Workers compare to related roles

Comparing your pay with related roles helps you gauge where your remuneration sits in the broader care sector. See how Community Support Worker salaries align with Disability Support Workers, Care Workers, Youth Workers and Family Support Workers.

Role Range Relative Median
Youth Worker $70,000–$94,000
$83,000
Family Support Worker $73,000–$90,000
$82,000
Disability Support Worker $70,000–$92,000
$81,000
Care Worker $69,000–$88,000
$78,000
Community Support Worker You are here $67,000–$88,000
$77,000

Ready to find your next Community Support Worker role?

Browse open positions and see what employers are currently offering in your area.

Employment Hero Job Data

Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated September 2026.

For Employers

Hiring a Community Support Worker?

Get back to growing your business, not sifting through CVs. No switching tools. Just faster, smarter, AI-powered hiring, fully integrated with your HR system.

Salary details

Quick salary facts
Typical range$67,000–$88,000
Junior$67,000
Mid level$78,000
Senior level$88,000
Top citySydney ($77,000)
Youth Worker Family Support Worker Disability Support Worker Care Worker