The Fair Work Commission decision
The Fair Work Commission conducts an Annual Wage Review each year. The 2025 review was completed in June 2025 and awarded a 3.5% increase to the National Minimum Wage and all modern award minimum rates.
- The 3.5% increase applies across all classification levels in the SCHADS Award.
- It is applied to the base rate before casual loading or penalty rate multipliers are added.
- Both the SACS and Home Care stream rates increased by the same percentage.
The increase took effect from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2025. For most fortnightly payroll cycles, this means the new rates applied from either 1 July or 7 July 2025 depending on when your pay period falls.
New rates from 1 July 2025
SACS stream — permanent rates
| Level | Pay point | From 1 July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1.1 | $24.10/hr |
| Level 2 | 2.1 | $30.96/hr |
| Level 2 | 2.2 | $32.06/hr |
| Level 3 | 3.1 | $38.65/hr |
| Level 3 | 3.2 | $39.77/hr |
| Level 4 | 4.1 | $44.58/hr |
| Level 5 | 5.1 | $48.22/hr |
| Level 6 | 6.1 | $53.40/hr |
Casual rates (base rate + 25% loading)
| Level | Pay point | From 1 July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | 2.1 | $38.70/hr |
| Level 3 | 3.1 | $48.31/hr |
| Level 4 | 4.1 | $55.73/hr |
| Level 5 | 5.1 | $60.28/hr |
Rates indicative based on the 3.5% increase applied to published 2024-25 figures. Always download the official SCHADS Pay Guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman website for payroll purposes.
Before and after: the three most common classifications
Level 3.1 — Standard experienced support worker
| Rate type | 2024-25 | From 1 July 2025 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent hourly | $37.34/hr | $38.65/hr | +$1.31/hr |
| Casual hourly | $46.68/hr | $48.31/hr | +$1.63/hr |
| Permanent Saturday (150%) | $56.01/hr | $57.98/hr | +$1.97/hr |
| Casual Sunday (200% × 1.25) | $93.35/hr | $96.63/hr | +$3.28/hr |
For a full-time permanent Level 3.1 worker, the annual cost increase is approximately: $1.31/hr × 38 hrs × 52 weeks = $2,585 per worker per year (before on-costs). For a provider with 20 workers averaging Level 3.1, the annual payroll increase is approximately $51,700 before superannuation and payroll tax.
Level 4.1 — Team leader or supervisor
| Rate type | 2024-25 | From 1 July 2025 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent hourly | $43.07/hr | $44.58/hr | +$1.51 |
| Casual hourly | $53.84/hr | $55.73/hr | +$1.89 |
| Annual (FT permanent) | +$2,979/yr |
Level 5.1 — Senior practitioner or care coordinator
| Rate type | 2024-25 | From 1 July 2025 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent hourly | $46.59/hr | $48.22/hr | +$1.63 |
| Casual hourly | $58.24/hr | $60.28/hr | +$2.04 |
| Annual (FT permanent) | +$3,219/yr |
The superannuation guarantee increase
From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee increased from 11% to 11.5%. This is separate from the SCHADS Award increase but compounds the labour cost impact.
| Level 3.1 permanent, 38 hrs/week | Per week |
|---|---|
| Previous super (11%) | $157.83 |
| New super (11.5%) | $169.14 |
| Additional super cost per year | +$589 |
Combined impact: a full-time Level 3.1 permanent worker costs approximately $3,174 more per year from 1 July 2025 than they did on 30 June 2025.
What providers need to update
Update payroll system rates
Update the base rates for every SCHADS classification level you use. If your system applies penalty rates as multipliers, check they are being applied to the new base rates. Payroll system configurations frequently cache old rates.
Update rate cards and quote templates
If you have internal rate cards used for pricing new service agreements or renewals, update them to reflect the new base rates, new casual rates, and the higher superannuation calculation.
Review existing NDIS service agreements
Check whether your current NDIS service agreements allow you to pass on price increases. Most agreements should reference the current NDIS price guide as the billing basis. If your agreement specifies a fixed dollar rate, you may need to issue an updated agreement or amendment.
Update quotes in progress
Any quote or service proposal in progress as of 1 July 2025 should be updated to reflect the new rates before the agreement is signed.
Review SIL funding assessments
If you have SIL participants whose NDIS plans were set based on old labour cost projections, the rate increase may mean your current plan funding is insufficient. Document the gap and work with the participant's support coordinator to request a plan review if the shortfall is material.
Check worker contracts
The SCHADS Award minimum applies automatically. If any contracts specify dollar amounts now below the new minimum, those provisions are unenforceable and the Award rate applies. It is good practice to confirm the new rates in writing, though not legally required unless your contracts specify this.
Get notified when 2026 rates are released
The Fair Work Commission will conduct its Annual Wage Review again in 2026. The outcome, which typically takes effect from 1 July 2026, will be announced in June. Rate changes for 2026 will depend on economic conditions, inflation, and FWC priorities at the time of the review.