SCHADS Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000100)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The SCHADS Award covers employees working in social and community services, home care, disability support, crisis accommodation, and family day care across Australia. If you are a disability support worker, community services worker, home care worker, crisis accommodation worker, or family day care coordinator, this award applies to you. It covers an estimated 350,000 workers, and that number has grown significantly since the rollout of the NDIS.
This award applies to the social, community, home care, and disability services industry. It does NOT cover nurses (covered by the Nurses Award, MA000034), employees in aged care residential facilities (Aged Care Award, MA000018 or Nurses Award), or employees of state or local government community services organisations (who are typically covered by state agreements). It also does not cover health professionals such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists when they are employed in a private practice setting (Health Professionals Award, MA000027). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The SCHADS Award has one of the most complex classification structures of any Modern Award. There are multiple streams: Social and Community Services Employees (SACS, Levels 2-8 with pay points within each level), Crisis Accommodation Employees (similar structure), Home Care Employees -- Disability (Levels 1-5), Home Care Employees -- Aged Care (Levels 1-6), and Family Day Care Employees (Levels 3-7). Each stream has its own pay rates. Your classification depends on both your qualifications and the nature of your work. SACS employees also receive Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) rates, which are higher than the base award rates.
Broken shifts and the NDIS workforce
The SCHADS Award permits broken shifts -- where your work is split into two or three separate periods with unpaid gaps in between (clause 25.6). This is common for disability support workers who may work a morning personal care shift, have a gap, and return for an afternoon shift. The award was amended in 2022 to provide a broken shift allowance and limit the number of breaks. Understanding broken shift rules is critical for NDIS workers, as this is one of the most underpaid areas in the Australian workforce.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
Social and Community Services Employees (SACS) -- ERO Rates
ERO (Equal Remuneration Order) rates apply to most SACS employees and are higher than the base award rates. These are the rates most employers must pay.
| Level | Typical Roles | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2, Pay point 1 | Support worker (entry), community development worker (entry) | $1,068.40 | $34.58 | $43.23 |
| Level 2, Pay point 2 | Support worker with 12 months' experience | $1,102.00 | $35.67 | $44.59 |
| Level 2, Pay point 3 | Support worker with 24 months' experience | $1,135.50 | $36.75 | $45.94 |
| Level 2, Pay point 4 | Experienced support worker, group program facilitator | $1,165.70 | $37.73 | $47.16 |
| Level 3, Pay point 1 | Case worker (associate diploma), community worker | $1,165.70 | $38.65 | $48.31 |
| Level 3, Pay point 3 | Case worker (3-year degree) | $1,224.90 | $40.62 | $50.78 |
| Level 3, Pay point 4 | Case worker (4-year degree) | $1,250.10 | $41.45 | $51.81 |
| Level 4, Pay point 1 | Senior case worker, program coordinator | $1,283.50 | $44.58 | $55.73 |
| Level 5, Pay point 1 | Team leader, project manager | $1,414.70 | $51.00 | $63.75 |
| Level 6, Pay point 1 | Service manager (small service) | $1,512.50 | $55.72 | $69.65 |
| Level 7, Pay point 1 | Service manager (medium service) | $1,612.80 | $60.27 | $75.34 |
| Level 8, Pay point 1 | Director, senior manager (large service) | $1,713.60 | $65.39 | $81.74 |
Home Care Employees -- Disability
| Level | Typical Roles | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Home care worker (entry), domestic assistance | $989.80 | $26.05 | $32.56 |
| Level 2, Pay point 1 | Experienced home care worker, personal care worker | $1,046.90 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| Level 3, Pay point 1 | Home care worker (Cert III qualified) | $1,068.40 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 4, Pay point 1 | Senior home care worker, team coordinator | $1,165.60 | $30.67 | $38.34 |
| Level 5, Pay point 1 | Home care worker (degree/diploma qualified) | $1,249.80 | $32.89 | $41.11 |
Family Day Care Employees
| Level | Typical Roles | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3, Pay point 1 | Family day care coordinator (entry) | $1,000.60 | $26.33 | $32.91 |
| Level 4, Pay point 1 | Experienced coordinator, scheme administrator | $1,137.60 | $29.94 | $37.43 |
| Level 5, Pay point 1 | Senior coordinator, quality assurance | $1,272.30 | $33.48 | $41.85 |
| Level 6, Pay point 1 | Manager, scheme manager | $1,429.70 | $37.62 | $47.03 |
| Level 7, Pay point 1 | Senior manager, multi-scheme oversight | $1,610.60 | $42.38 | $52.98 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38 (clause 25.1). Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25 (clause 10.4). Note: SACS ERO hourly rates differ from base weekly rate / 38 as they include the ERO supplement.
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 28 and clause 29).
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Home Care L1 example | SACS L2 PP1 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $26.05/hr | $34.58/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 28.1(a)) | $39.08/hr | $51.87/hr |
| Sunday | 200% (clause 28.1(b)) | $52.10/hr | $69.16/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 28.1(c)) | $65.13/hr | $86.45/hr |
| Shiftwork loading | 115% (clause 29.1) | $29.96/hr | $39.77/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% (clause 28.2(a)) | $39.08/hr | $51.87/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% (clause 28.2(a)) | $52.10/hr | $69.16/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 200% (clause 28.2(b)) | $52.10/hr | $69.16/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 250% (clause 28.2(c)) | $65.13/hr | $86.45/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Home Care L1 example | SACS L2 PP1 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $32.56/hr | $43.23/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 28.3) | $45.59/hr | $60.52/hr |
| Sunday | 225% (clause 28.3) | $58.61/hr | $77.81/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 28.3) | $71.64/hr | $95.10/hr |
| Shiftwork loading | 140% (clause 29.2) | $36.47/hr | $48.41/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 175% (clause 28.4) | $45.59/hr | $60.52/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 225% (clause 28.4) | $58.61/hr | $77.81/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 225% (clause 28.4) | $58.61/hr | $77.81/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 275% (clause 28.4) | $71.64/hr | $95.10/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Sunday casual = base x 2.25 (not base x 1.25 x 2.00). See clause 28.3.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual disability support worker on a Sunday
Jade is a casual Home Care Level 2 disability support worker who assists a participant for 6 hours on a Sunday.
- Base rate: $27.55/hr
- Sunday casual rate: 225% = $27.55 x 2.25 = $61.99/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $371.94 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.3
Example 2: Part-time SACS worker with a broken shift
Ryan is a part-time SACS Level 2 (Pay point 2, ERO rate) who works a broken shift: 7am to 10am, then 4pm to 7pm.
- ERO hourly rate: $35.67/hr
- Morning shift (3 hours): $35.67 x 3 = $107.01
- Afternoon shift (3 hours): $35.67 x 3 = $107.01
- Broken shift allowance: $18.36 per broken shift (clause 25.6)
- Total: $107.01 + $107.01 + $18.36 = $232.38 gross
- Clause reference: clause 25.6
Example 3: Full-time home care worker on a public holiday
Mei works full-time as a Home Care Level 3 disability support worker and works an 8-hour shift on Australia Day.
- Base rate: $28.12/hr
- Public holiday rate: 250% = $28.12 x 2.50 = $70.30/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $562.40 gross
- Plus: Mei is entitled to a substitute day off (clause 34)
- Clause reference: clause 28.1(c)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between SCHADS base rates and ERO rates?
The Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) was issued by the Fair Work Commission in 2012 to address gender-based pay inequality in the social and community services sector. ERO rates are higher than the base award rates and are phased in over time. Most SACS employees (and crisis accommodation employees) are entitled to ERO rates. Home care employees and family day care employees generally receive the base award rates, not ERO rates. Check your employment type and classification stream to determine which rate applies to you (clause 15 and Schedule E).
2. How do broken shifts work under the SCHADS Award?
A broken shift is where your work is split into two or three separate periods with unpaid gaps of more than one hour (clause 25.6). The maximum number of breaks is two (creating three work periods). You must be paid a broken shift allowance of $18.36 per broken shift (as at 1 July 2025). The total span of a broken shift (from start of the first period to end of the last) cannot exceed 12 hours. Each separate work period must be at least 1 hour. This commonly applies to disability support workers doing morning and evening personal care.
3. What is the minimum shift length for SCHADS workers?
For full-time and part-time employees, the minimum engagement per day is 3 hours, or 2 hours for home care employees in disability or aged care services by agreement (clause 10.5). For casual employees, the minimum engagement is 2 hours (clause 10.6). At the Home Care Level 1 casual rate ($32.56/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $65.12 gross.
4. Do NDIS support workers get paid for travel between clients?
If your employer requires you to travel between clients during a shift, travel time counts as time worked and must be paid at your applicable rate (clause 25.7). You are also entitled to a travel allowance to cover vehicle running costs if you use your own car -- currently $0.96 per kilometre (clause 20.3). Travel from your home to your first client and from your last client to your home is generally not paid unless your first or last client is more than a reasonable distance from your workplace or usual area.
5. Can my employer roster me for a sleepover shift?
Yes. The SCHADS Award includes specific provisions for sleepover shifts (clause 25.7). A sleepover means you are required to sleep at a client's premises or workplace overnight. You are paid a flat sleepover allowance (currently $55.10 per sleepover, as at 1 July 2025) rather than an hourly rate while sleeping. If you are required to perform work during the sleepover period, you must be paid at overtime rates for the time you are awake and working, with a minimum of one hour's pay for each time you are disturbed.
Check Your Rate
Working in disability support, community services, or home care? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Select your stream (SACS, home care, family day care), your classification level, and tell us your employment type and shift pattern. We will show you the correct rate -- including ERO rates where they apply -- with clause references for every calculation.
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- name: "SCHADS Award MA000100 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for social and community services, disability support, home care, and family day care workers under the SCHADS Award"
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- creator: Fair Work Commission
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Home > Awards > SCHADS Award (MA000100)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.