Support at Home
Support at Home worker cost calculator
Select a service type and SCHADS classification level to see the estimated worker cost for a shift, the indicative market rate for that service, and the margin left after wages and on-costs. A starting point for understanding the economics of each service type under Support at Home.
Service type
Assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, and mobility. The most common home care service type.
Worker details
Base rate: $40.49/hr | Casual rate: $50.61/hr
Casual rate includes 25% loading in lieu of leave entitlements.
Shift length
0.5 to 12 hours.
Estimated worker cost
$202.44
$50.61/hr (casual, incl. 25% loading) × 4h
Market rate (mid-point)
$88.00/hr
Indicative — not a price cap
Max billable (mid-point)
$352.00
Estimated margin (before on-costs)
$149.56 (42.5%)
Before on-costs. See breakdown below.
Cost breakdown
Worker cost (wage only)
$50.61/hr × 4h (casual rate, incl. 25% loading)
$202.44
Estimated on-costs
Super (12%) + workers comp (~2%) + payroll tax (~4.85%)
$38.16
Total worker cost (with on-costs)
Wage + on-costs. Does not include travel or admin.
$240.60
Provider market rate (mid-point)
$70.00 – $115.00/hr range. Not a government cap.
Proposed cap (metro, from July 2026): $98.00/hr
$352.00
Margin after on-costs
Before travel, admin, and indirect costs.
$111.40
Indicative only. Worker cost uses SCHADS Award MA000100 weekday rates (effective 1 July 2026). Market rates are indicative ranges from published provider price lists and the Department of Health and Aged Care guidance (October 2025) — they are not government price caps. Mandatory price caps apply from 1 July 2026. On-costs are estimates; actual figures depend on your state, payroll tax threshold, and insurance arrangements. Does not include travel, allowances, or indirect overheads. Verify at health.gov.au.
Update for 1 July 2026
SCHADS Award minimum rates rose 4.75% in the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Every rate, penalty, and allowance on this page reflects the new figures.
Teiro keeps SCHADS rates current automatically, so your rosters, quotes, and pay never run on last year’s figures.
How this calculator works
Worker cost uses SCHADS Award rates
Most workers delivering home care services under Support at Home are employed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award MA000100. The calculator uses SCHADS weekday ordinary-hours rates effective 1 July 2026 (+4.75% Annual Wage Review). Weekend, evening, and public holiday penalty rates are not included here - use the SCHADS pay calculator for those.
Market rates and the 1 July 2026 price caps
From 1 July 2026, mandatory price caps apply per service group under Support at Home. The “market rate” shown in this calculator is a mid-point of indicative ranges published by the Department of Health and Aged Care in October 2025, reflecting what providers were charging during the pre-cap period. These figures are a reference point — not the final government-set caps. Confirm the current price limits at health.gov.au before making pricing decisions. Confirm current price caps at health.gov.au before making pricing decisions — caps are updated annually and may differ from prior-year figures shown here.
The margin is what remains after the worker is paid
The margin before on-costs is the difference between the market rate and the worker wage. The margin after on-costs deducts estimated superannuation (12% — Payday Super applies from 1 July 2026, payable within 7 business days of each payday), workers compensation (~2%), and payroll tax (~4.85%). For permanent employees, annual leave loading (17.5%) is also included. What remains must still cover travel time, rostering staff, admin, insurance, and any other indirect costs. Most providers need at least 20–30% of revenue to cover these after the direct wage.
Clinical services are fully government-funded
Nursing care and allied health services are clinical supports. Participants pay no co-contribution for these. The full service cost is covered by the government. The margin calculation for clinical services shows what a provider retains from the government payment after the worker cost. Note that clinical workers (registered nurses, physiotherapists) are typically employed at higher SCHADS levels or under enterprise agreements above the award.
Rates are indicative only. Market rates vary significantly by provider, location, and how services are packaged. Providers in remote and regional areas typically charge more. The 1 July 2026 price caps include geographic loadings for regional and remote areas — confirm the final published caps before making pricing or rostering decisions at health.gov.au and the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool.
Manage Support at Home rosters and compliance with Teiro
Teiro is workforce management software built for disability and aged care providers. Rostering, worker compliance tracking, shift records, and client documentation work the same way whether you are delivering under the NDIS or Support at Home.
Running a small team? Free for under 5 users - no credit card, no time limit.