The SCHADS Award, officially the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (MA000100), sets the minimum pay rates and working conditions for workers across Australia’s disability, aged care, and community services sector. If you work as a disability support worker, support coordinator, or in any community services role, this award determines your pay.
But the SCHADS Award is also one of the most complex awards in Australia, with 8 classification levels, 4 streams, penalty rates, overtime rules, broken shift allowances, sleepover rates, and over 3,000 different possible pay calculations. No wonder so many workers and employers get confused.
In this guide, we break down the SCHADS Award for 2026-27 in plain language, every level, every rate, every penalty, and every allowance you need to know.
What Is the SCHADS Award?
The SCHADS Award is a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. It covers workers in:
- Disability services, support workers, personal care workers, community access workers
- Social and community services, welfare workers, case managers, support coordinators, community development workers
- Home care, home care workers, domestic assistants
- Crisis accommodation, refuge workers, crisis support workers
- Family day care, family day care coordinators
The award sets minimum rates, employers can pay more, but not less. It’s updated annually following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. The current rates took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review 2026 decision of 2 June 2026, which increased modern award wage rates by 4.75 per cent.
The 4 Streams Under the SCHADS Award
The SCHADS Award divides workers into four streams, each with its own classification structure and pay rates:
| Stream | Who It Covers | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Social & Community Services (SACS) | Support coordinators, case managers, welfare workers, community development | Levels 1-8 |
| Home Care, Disability | Disability support workers, personal care workers, community access | Levels 1-5 |
| Crisis Accommodation | Refuge and crisis support workers | Levels 1-8 |
| Family Day Care | Family day care coordinators and assistants | Levels 1-5 |
Most NDIS workers fall into either the SACS stream (support coordinators, case managers) or the Home Care, Disability stream (support workers, personal care). Your stream determines your base pay rate.
Classification Levels Explained (1-8)
Within each stream, workers are classified into levels based on their qualifications, experience, and responsibilities. Each level also has pay points, increments within the level that increase with experience.
| Level | Who’s at This Level | Typical Qualifications | Hourly Rate (SACS, FT/PT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level support, basic tasks under close supervision | No formal qualification required | $27.55 – $29.45/hr |
| Level 2 | Developing workers, some independence, more complex tasks | Certificate III/IV or equivalent experience | $36.22 – $39.53/hr |
| Level 3 | Skilled workers, experienced practitioners | Cert IV or tertiary qualification + experience | $40.49 – $43.42/hr |
| Level 4 | Specialists, supervisors, higher responsibility | Degree or advanced diploma + experience | $46.70 – $50.25/hr |
| Level 5 | Advanced specialists, team leads, complex care | Degree + significant experience | $53.43 – $55.85/hr |
| Level 6 | Senior practitioners, program coordinators | Degree + extensive experience | $58.37 – $60.95/hr |
| Level 7 | Managers, large team leadership | Degree + management experience | $63.13 – $65.77/hr |
| Level 8 | Senior management, policy, organisational leadership | Degree + senior management experience | $68.49 – $71.19/hr |
Rates shown are for the Social & Community Services (SACS) stream, full-time/part-time employees, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Home Care, Disability stream rates differ. Source: hourly rates read from the equal remuneration table in the consolidated MA000100 award text published by the Fair Work Commission. Level 1 carries no equal remuneration loading and was confirmed from award clause 15.1 and the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. Classification definitions are in Schedule B of the award.
What Determines Your Level?
Your classification level depends on three things:
- Your qualifications, Certificate III, Certificate IV, diploma, degree
- Your job duties, what you actually do day-to-day (not just your title)
- Your experience, how long you’ve been in the role and sector
Your employer classifies you based on these factors. If you think you’re classified too low, you have the right to ask for a review. The duties in your job description should match the level you’re paid at.
Casual vs Full-Time/Part-Time Rates
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave, sick leave, or other entitlements.
| Level | FT/PT Rate | Casual Rate (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 (SACS, PP1) | $36.22/hr | $45.28/hr |
| Level 3 (SACS, PP1) | $40.49/hr | $50.60/hr |
| Level 4 (SACS, PP1) | $46.70/hr | $58.38/hr |
SCHADS Award Penalty Rates
When you work outside standard hours (Monday-Friday 6am-8pm), you’re entitled to penalty rates, a percentage increase on your base hourly rate.
| When You Work | FT/PT Rate | Casual Rate (incl. loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard weekday (6am-8pm) | 100% (base rate) | 125% |
| Afternoon shift (8pm-midnight) | 112.5% | 137.5% |
| Night shift (midnight-6am) | 115% | 140% |
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 200% | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
Important: Penalties are not cumulative. The highest applicable rate always applies. So if you work on a Saturday evening, you get the Saturday rate (150%), not Saturday + evening combined.
Real-World Example
A Level 2 SACS worker (Pay Point 1) earning $36.22/hr base:
- Standard weekday: $36.22/hr
- Afternoon (8pm-midnight): $40.75/hr
- Night (midnight-6am): $41.65/hr
- Saturday: $54.33/hr
- Sunday: $72.44/hr
- Public holiday: $90.55/hr
SCHADS Award Allowances
On top of base pay and penalties, the SCHADS Award includes several allowances for specific work situations:
| Allowance | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepover | $62.87 per sleepover | Overnight stays + overtime for any active work + minimum 4hr rate for shift before/after |
| Broken shift (1 break) | $21.81 per shift | When your shift has one unpaid break (split shift) |
| Broken shift (2 breaks) | $28.87 per shift | When your shift has two unpaid breaks (by agreement) |
| First aid | $21.43 per week | If you hold a current first aid certificate and are designated first aider |
| On-call (Mon-Fri) | $25.66 per 24hr period | When you must be available to return to work |
| Vehicle/travel | $1.01/km | When using your personal vehicle for work |
| Meal | $17.30, plus a further $17.30 after 4 hours of overtime | When required to work more than one hour of overtime without an adequate meal provided |
| Uniform | $1.26 per shift (max $6.41/week) | When required to wear a uniform |
| Laundry | $0.33 per shift (max $1.53/week) | When required to launder your own uniform |
Source: allowance amounts read from the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool (SCHADS Award MA000100, Social and Community Services stream, rates current at the date above). The allowance clauses themselves are in the consolidated award text.
SCHADS Award vs NDIS Pricing, How They Connect
This is where it gets important for NDIS participants. The NDIS sets maximum provider charge rates, the most a provider can charge your plan. The SCHADS Award sets minimum worker pay rates. They’re connected but different:
| What | NDIS Price Limit (Provider charges) | SCHADS Award (Worker earns) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard weekday support | $73.58/hr | $28.86-$36.22/hr (Level 2) |
| Saturday support | $103.54/hr | $43.29-$54.33/hr (Level 2, 150%) |
| Support Coordination L2 | $100.14/hr | $46.70-$55.85/hr (Level 4-5 SACS) |
The difference between the NDIS charge rate and the worker’s pay covers the provider’s overheads, insurance, superannuation (12% from 1 July 2025), admin, training, vehicles, software, and operational costs.
For the full breakdown of NDIS provider charge rates, see our NDIS Price Guide 2025-26.
What Changed in the 2026-27 SCHADS Award
Two separate Fair Work Commission decisions landed within days of each other in June 2026, and together they represent the biggest change to the SCHADS Award in over a decade.
1. The Annual Wage Review: 4.75 per cent from 1 July 2026
The Fair Work Commission handed down its Annual Wage Review 2026 decision on 2 June 2026. The Expert Panel determined that “modern award wage rates shall be increased by 4.75 per cent, effective from 1 July 2026”. The increase applies from the first full pay period on or after that date.
- All SCHADS base rates rose 4.75 per cent. A SACS Level 2 pay point 1 worker moved from $34.58 to $36.22 per hour.
- The National Minimum Wage rose to $1,004.90 per week, or $26.44 per hour.
- Wage-related allowances (sleepover, broken shift, on-call, first aid) rose by the same 4.75 per cent.
- Expense-related allowances (vehicle, uniform, laundry) are adjusted separately using March quarter CPI rather than the wage increase.
- A structural adjustment began phasing out the C13 and C14 classifications, the lowest-paid rates in the award system, affecting around 100,000 employees nationally.
2. The gender undervaluation decision: a full restructure ahead
On 1 June 2026, the day before the wage review, the Commission handed down decision [2026] FWCFB 137 in its gender-based undervaluation review of the SCHADS Award. The Commission found that the existing classification structure and wage rates had been affected by gender-based undervaluation, and decided to replace the structure entirely.
- From 1 October 2026: employees engaged under Schedule E (home care, disability care) receive an initial 15 per cent increase. The Commission expressed this as a provisional view, allowing 28 days for submissions.
- From 1 October 2027: a new Final Classification Structure commences across the award, and the Equal Remuneration Order is revoked.
- Disability support work sees the largest movements. The Commission noted that employees currently classified at Level B.1 or under Schedule E face increases of up to 27 per cent.
For NDIS providers the implication is significant. Wage costs are set to rise substantially through 2026 and 2027, while NDIS support coordination price limits have now been frozen for a seventh consecutive year. Providers will be absorbing higher wages against flat price limits.
Common SCHADS Mistakes (That Cost Workers Money)
These are the most common errors we see in the NDIS sector:
1. Wrong Classification Level
Being classified at Level 1 when your duties match Level 2 or 3 can mean thousands of dollars in underpayment per year. If you hold a Certificate III/IV and work independently, you likely shouldn’t be at Level 1.
2. Missing Penalty Rates
Some employers pay flat rates regardless of when you work. If you work Saturdays, Sundays, evenings, or public holidays, you’re entitled to penalty rates. Check your payslip.
3. Missing Allowances
Broken shift allowances ($21.81-$28.87), sleepover allowances ($62.87), and vehicle allowances ($1.01/km) are frequently missed, especially for casual workers.
4. Casual Loading Not Applied
If you’re casual, you should receive a 25% loading on your base rate. Some employers pay the base rate without the loading, this is underpayment.
5. Wrong Stream
Being classified under the Home Care, Disability stream instead of SACS (or vice versa) can significantly affect your base rate. The stream should match your employer’s primary business activity.
How to Check If You’re Being Paid Correctly
- Know your classification. Ask your employer what level and stream you’re classified under. Check if it matches your qualifications and duties.
- Use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. The official calculator at calculate.fairwork.gov.au is the same tool Fair Work’s Infoline advisers use. Select the SCHADS Award (MA000100), your stream, classification and pay point, and it returns your base rate, every penalty rate and every allowance you are eligible for. It asks the eligibility questions that decide which allowance variant applies, which is why it is more reliable than any summary table, including this one. Every figure in this article was checked against it.
- Check your payslips. Verify that penalty rates are applied for evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Check that allowances are listed for broken shifts, sleepovers, and travel.
- Read the award itself for the rules. The consolidated SCHADS Award is published at awards.fairwork.gov.au/MA000100.html. Use it when you need the rule rather than the number, for example what a classification actually requires, or how the casual loading interacts with penalty rates. The equal remuneration table in that document sets the payable hourly rate for every level and pay point.
- Contact Fair Work if underpaid. If you believe you’re being underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 or visit fairwork.gov.au. Underpayment claims can be backdated.
For NDIS Participants: Why This Matters to You
As an NDIS participant, you might wonder why you should care about the SCHADS Award. Here’s why:
- Your plan budget is based on these rates. The NDIA’s Disability Support Worker Cost Model uses SCHADS rates to calculate the NDIS price limits. When SCHADS rates go up, NDIS prices eventually follow.
- Weekend support costs more. Because workers earn penalty rates on weekends and public holidays, the NDIS charges more for weekend support, $103.54/hr on Saturday vs $73.58/hr on a weekday. Scheduling non-urgent supports on weekdays stretches your budget further.
- Worker quality is linked to pay. Providers who pay above the SCHADS minimum attract and retain better workers. If you’re getting inconsistent or low-quality support, the provider’s pay structure may be a factor.
- Support coordination rates haven’t changed. While SCHADS rates increased 4.75 per cent on 1 July 2026, NDIS support coordination price limits (Level 2: $100.14/hr, Level 3: $190.54/hr) have now been frozen for a seventh consecutive year. This squeeze affects the quality of coordinators providers can attract.
For the full NDIS pricing picture, see our NDIS Price Guide 2025-26 and NDIS Funding Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SCHADS stand for?
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award. The official award code is MA000100. It’s commonly referred to as “the SCHADS Award” (pronounced “shads”).
How much do disability support workers earn under SCHADS?
It depends on your level and stream. A Level 2 disability support worker in the Home Care, Disability stream earns from $28.86/hr (Pay Point 1). A Level 2 SACS worker earns from $36.22/hr. Casual workers earn 25% more. Weekend and public holiday rates are higher.
When do SCHADS rates increase?
Annually, following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. New rates take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. The 2026-27 increase was 4.75 per cent.
What’s the difference between SCHADS and the NDIS price guide?
SCHADS sets minimum worker pay (what the worker takes home). The NDIS price guide sets maximum provider charges (what the provider charges your plan). The gap covers overheads. See the full comparison in our Price Guide.
Can my employer pay me less than the SCHADS rate?
No. SCHADS rates are legal minimums. Paying less is underpayment, which is illegal. If you believe you’re underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
Do casual workers get penalty rates too?
Yes. Casual workers get their 25% casual loading PLUS penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays. For example, a casual worker on a Sunday earns 225% of the base rate (200% Sunday penalty + 25% casual loading).
What level are support coordinators under SCHADS?
Support coordinators typically fall under the SACS stream at Level 4 or 5, depending on their qualifications and responsibilities. Specialist support coordinators are usually Level 5 or higher. Read about support coordination levels.
How Centre of Hope Can Help
Understanding pay rates and the SCHADS Award helps NDIS participants make smarter decisions about their plan, like scheduling supports on weekdays to save money, or understanding why weekend support costs more.
At Centre of Hope, we help participants across Western Sydney and NSW:
- Maximise their NDIS budget by scheduling supports strategically
- Understand provider charges and check invoices for accuracy
- Connect with quality providers who pay their workers fairly
- Navigate the complex NDIS system with experienced support coordination
Your goals. Your plan. Our support.
📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
📝 Refer: Submit a referral
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the SCHADS Award and is not legal or employment advice. Rates shown are based on the 2025-26 Annual Wage Review. Actual rates depend on your stream, level, pay point, and employment type. For your specific situation, use the official Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.
