Free provider tool
SCHADS Pay Rate Calculator 2026‑27
Calculate the correct minimum pay rate for disability support workers under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award MA000100). Select a classification level, employment type, and shift times to get the loaded hourly rate and total shift cost — including penalty rates and casual loading.
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.
Shift details
Most disability support workers are Level 2 or Level 3.
For overnight shifts, enter the next-day end time (e.g. start 22:00, end 06:00).
Total minimum hourly rate
$36.22
per hour
Total shift cost
$289.76
Duration
8h
Itemised breakdown
Base hourly rate
Level 2, Pay Point 1 — permanent rate
$36.22/hr
Penalty rate
Weekday ordinary — 100% of base
None
Total hourly rate
$36.22/hr
Total shift cost
$36.22/hr × 8h (gross, before super)
$289.76
How this is calculated
Base $36.22. Penalty multiplier 100% (Weekday ordinary). Total $36.22 × 1 = $36.22/hr. Shift cost $36.22 × 8.00h = $289.76. Superannuation (12%) not included.
Rates based on SCHADS Award MA000100, effective 1 July 2026. For guidance only — not legal or financial advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au before processing payroll.
How SCHADS pay rates work
The SCHADS Award sets minimum pay rates for workers in disability, community services, and home care. Rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission and increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. The Annual Wage Review 2026 lifted award minimums by 4.75%.
Classification levels
Workers are classified into levels (Social and Community Services Employee Level 1 upwards) based on their qualifications, responsibilities, and experience. Most entry-level disability support workers start at Level 1 or 2. Workers with a Certificate III in Individual Support or similar typically sit at Level 2. The table below shows Pay Point 1 of each level — the calculator above covers every pay point.
| Level (Pay Point 1) | Weekday rate | Saturday (×1.50) | Sunday (×2.00) | Public holiday (×2.50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $27.55 | $41.33 | $55.10 | $68.88 |
| Level 2 | $36.22 | $54.33 | $72.44 | $90.55 |
| Level 3 | $40.49 | $60.73 | $80.98 | $101.23 |
| Level 4 | $46.70 | $70.05 | $93.40 | $116.75 |
| Level 5 | $53.42 | $80.13 | $106.84 | $133.55 |
| Level 6 | $58.37 | $87.55 | $116.74 | $145.92 |
Permanent and part-time ordinary hourly rates, operative from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. See the full SCHADS pay rate table for every pay point and allowance.
Penalty rates
The SCHADS Award applies penalty rate multipliers for working outside ordinary weekday hours. Penalty rates are not cumulative — only the highest applicable rate applies to any given hour.
- Saturday ordinary hours: 150% of the base rate
- Sunday ordinary hours: 200% of the base rate (double time)
- Public holiday, permanent and part-time: 250% of the base rate, with a minimum 3-hour payment
- Public holiday, casual: 275% of the ordinary rate (250% penalty plus the 25% loading)
- Weekday afternoon shift (finishing between 8pm and midnight): 112.5% of the base rate
- Weekday night shift (starting before 6am or finishing after midnight): 115% of the base rate
Casual loading
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of their ordinary hourly rate. Under MA000100 the loading is added to the penalty rate rather than compounded with it — a casual Saturday shift is the ordinary rate × 1.75 (150% penalty plus 25% loading), not the ordinary rate × 1.50 × 1.25. The loading compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Casual workers also have a minimum engagement of 3 hours per shift.
Common questions
Are these rates current?
Yes. The rates shown are for the 2026-27 financial year, operative from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2026 (+4.75%). The Commission reviews minimum pay rates annually. Always verify against the current Fair Work pay guide before processing payroll.
Where can I find the previous 2025-26 rates?
The superseded 2025-26 SCHADS rates (operative 1 July 2025) are kept on our archived 2025-26 pay calculator for back-pay checks, historical timesheet reconciliation, and audits. Do not use them for current payroll.
Does this calculator include allowances?
This calculator covers base rates, penalty multipliers, and casual loading. It does not include travel allowances, broken shift allowances, sleepover allowances, or other SCHADS allowances. Refer to the full SCHADS pay rates page for those.
What about NDIS pricing — will this match my NDIS claim?
SCHADS minimum pay rates and NDIS price limits are separate frameworks. NDIS prices represent the maximum a provider can claim, not the worker's wage. The difference funds on-costs, overheads, and margin. Use our NDIS Shift Cost Estimator to see what you can claim.
Who does the SCHADS Award cover?
The SCHADS Award covers employees working in disability support, community services, aged care, and home care — including support workers, case managers, and allied health assistants employed by organisations in those sectors.
Looking for the superseded figures? Archived SCHADS pay calculator 2025-26 has the rates operative from 1 July 2025 for back-pay and audit checks.
Teiro calculates SCHADS rates automatically
When you build a roster in Teiro, the correct pay rate — including penalty rates, casual loading, and allowances — is calculated automatically based on the shift. No manual lookups, no payroll errors.
No lock-in. No setup fee.
Rates are based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100), effective 1 July 2026 (Annual Wage Review 2026, +4.75%, operative from the first full pay period on or after that date). Rates are indicative only — always verify against the current Fair Work pay guide before processing payroll. Teiro does not provide legal or payroll advice.