Award pay rates for disability support workers under the SCHADS award: home care disability rates now and from 1 December 2026, and social and community services rates, with casual and weekend rates and take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A home care disability support worker at Level 1 gets $27.28 an hour now and $31.38 from 1 December 2026 (casual $34.10 rising to $39.23). Social and community services workers start on $27.55.
Home care disability rates: now and from 1 December 2026
| Classification | Hourly from 1 July 2026 | Casual now | Hourly from 1 December 2026 | Casual from Dec | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $27.28 | $34.10 | $31.38 | $39.23 | 15% |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $28.86 | $36.08 | $33.19 | $41.49 | 15% |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $29.06 | $36.33 | $33.41 | $41.76 | 15% |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $33.87 | $42.34 | 15% |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $30.36 | $37.95 | $34.92 | $43.65 | 15% |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $32.13 | $40.16 | $36.95 | $46.19 | 15% |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $32.77 | $40.96 | $37.68 | $47.10 | 15% |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $34.45 | $43.06 | $39.62 | $49.53 | 15% |
| Level 5, pay point 2 | $35.81 | $44.76 | $40.58 | $50.73 | 13% |
Full-time and part-time rates for a 38-hour week; casual rates include the 25% loading. The 1 December 2026 rates apply from the first full pay period on or after that date.
Weekend and public holiday rates from 1 December 2026
| Classification | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $47.07 | $62.76 | $78.45 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $49.79 | $66.38 | $82.98 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $50.12 | $66.82 | $83.53 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $50.81 | $67.74 | $84.68 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $52.38 | $69.84 | $87.30 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $55.43 | $73.90 | $92.38 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $56.52 | $75.36 | $94.20 |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $59.43 | $79.24 | $99.05 |
| Level 5, pay point 2 | $60.87 | $81.16 | $101.45 |
Social and community services rates
These rates are unchanged on 1 December 2026.
| Classification | Weekly | Hourly | Casual hourly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $1,046.90 | $27.55 | $34.44 | $54,439 | $1,795 |
| Level 1, pay point 2 | $1,080.60 | $28.44 | $35.55 | $56,191 | $1,840 |
| Level 1, pay point 3 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $1,376.49 | $36.22 | $45.28 | $71,577 | $2,237 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $1,419.79 | $37.36 | $46.70 | $73,829 | $2,296 |
| Level 2, pay point 3 | $1,462.96 | $38.50 | $48.13 | $76,074 | $2,354 |
| Level 2, pay point 4 | $1,501.95 | $39.53 | $49.41 | $78,101 | $2,407 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $1,538.59 | $40.49 | $50.61 | $80,007 | $2,457 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $1,582.94 | $41.66 | $52.08 | $82,313 | $2,517 |
| Level 3, pay point 3 | $1,616.71 | $42.55 | $53.19 | $84,069 | $2,563 |
| Level 3, pay point 4 | $1,649.97 | $43.42 | $54.28 | $85,798 | $2,609 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $1,774.74 | $46.70 | $58.38 | $92,286 | $2,778 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $1,821.07 | $47.92 | $59.90 | $94,696 | $2,841 |
| Level 4, pay point 3 | $1,867.93 | $49.16 | $61.45 | $97,132 | $2,905 |
| Level 4, pay point 4 | $1,909.51 | $50.25 | $62.81 | $99,295 | $2,962 |
Weekend and public holiday rates (levels 1 and 2)
| Classification | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $41.33 | $55.10 | $68.88 |
| Level 1, pay point 2 | $42.66 | $56.88 | $71.10 |
| Level 1, pay point 3 | $44.18 | $58.90 | $73.63 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $54.33 | $72.44 | $90.55 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $56.04 | $74.72 | $93.40 |
| Level 2, pay point 3 | $57.75 | $77.00 | $96.25 |
| Level 2, pay point 4 | $59.30 | $79.06 | $98.83 |
How it works
- The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) covers disability services, home care and social and community services.
- Home care employees doing disability care get an initial increase of up to 15% from 1 December 2026; most other changes, including a new classification structure, start on 1 October 2027.
- Saturday is time and a half, Sunday double time and public holidays double time and a half. Afternoon and night shifts attract loadings.
- Super is paid on top. Many NDIS providers have enterprise agreements or pay above the award.
Common questions
How much does a disability support worker get paid per hour?
Under the SCHADS award, a home care employee doing disability care starts on $27.28 an hour ($34.10 casual) until 30 November 2026, rising to $31.38 ($39.23 casual) from 1 December 2026. Social and community services employees start on $27.55. Many NDIS providers pay above the award.
Are disability support workers getting a pay rise?
Yes. Home care employees doing disability care get an initial increase of up to 15% from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026, with the rest of the increase and a new classification structure from 1 October 2027 (Fair Work Commission's gender-based undervaluation review).
What is the Sunday rate for disability support workers?
Double time for full-time and part-time home care employees: $54.56 an hour at Level 1 now and $62.76 from 1 December 2026. Public holidays are 250%.
Which award covers disability support workers?
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS). Workers providing disability care in a client's home are home care employees; disability services in other settings are usually in the social and community services stream.
Is super included?
No. Super is paid on top of these rates.
See also public holiday pay rates, nurse pay and the penalty rates calculator.
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100] effective 1 July 2026 and 1 December 2026; Fair Work Ombudsman: changes to the award. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.