Assumptions: Wage basis by sector (award minimums): Residential aged care - Aged Care Award MA000018, Direct Care L1 $31.13/hr (Cert III L3 $33.27). Home care & Disability - SCHADS Award MA000100, Level 1 $26.30/hr (Cert III L2 $34.58). Trainee wage basis: Trainees are reclassified on completion of their Certificate III. Agency bill rates are all-in and blended across shift types using a typical care roster mix (approx. 65% weekday daytime, 10% weekday evening, 15% Saturday, 10% Sunday): residential aged care ~$67/hr, home care ~$75/hr, disability ~$81/hr. The disability blend is derived from NDIS 2025-26 price limits (weekday $70.23, evening $77.38, Saturday $98.83, Sunday $127.43); aged care and home care apply the same shift mix to their base agency rates. Public holiday and sleepover shifts are excluded. Employer on-costs (super 12%, leave loading, workers comp) = 25% of base wage. Direct recruit Year 1 includes $3,500 for advertising, screening and onboarding. No program management fee. Annual turnover = 28% (industry average); replacement cost = $35,000 per departure; trainee retention assumed 15% better. Trainee/apprentice wages are payroll-tax exempt in most states, so for-profit employers can save 5.45% of those wages (incl. super); not-for-profits are generally payroll-tax exempt already. All figures are indicative only; verify current rates at fairwork.gov.au. Not financial advice. © Skilled Care (LH Education). RTO ID 31942.