SCHADS award pay rates from 1 July 2026: every social and community services level and pay point, crisis accommodation, and home care rates now and from 1 December 2026, with weekend rates and take-home pay in 2026–27.
Social and community services: $27.55 to $71.19 an hour (Level 1 to Level 8). Home care: $27.28 an hour at Level 1, rising to $31.38 from 1 December 2026 for disability care. Open in the pay calculator.
Social and community services (SACS) pay rates
| Level | Hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $27.55 | $1,046.90 | $54,439 | $1,795 |
| Level 1, pay point 2 | $28.44 | $1,080.60 | $56,191 | $1,840 |
| Level 1, pay point 3 | $29.45 | $1,119.10 | $58,193 | $1,891 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $36.22 | $1,376.49 | $71,577 | $2,237 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $37.36 | $1,419.79 | $73,829 | $2,296 |
| Level 2, pay point 3 | $38.50 | $1,462.96 | $76,074 | $2,354 |
| Level 2, pay point 4 | $39.53 | $1,501.95 | $78,101 | $2,407 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $40.49 | $1,538.59 | $80,007 | $2,457 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $41.66 | $1,582.94 | $82,313 | $2,517 |
| Level 3, pay point 3 | $42.55 | $1,616.71 | $84,069 | $2,563 |
| Level 3, pay point 4 | $43.42 | $1,649.97 | $85,798 | $2,609 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $46.70 | $1,774.74 | $92,286 | $2,778 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $47.92 | $1,821.07 | $94,696 | $2,841 |
| Level 4, pay point 3 | $49.16 | $1,867.93 | $97,132 | $2,905 |
| Level 4, pay point 4 | $50.25 | $1,909.51 | $99,295 | $2,962 |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $53.43 | $2,030.20 | $105,570 | $3,126 |
| Level 5, pay point 2 | $54.58 | $2,073.91 | $107,843 | $3,185 |
| Level 5, pay point 3 | $55.85 | $2,122.13 | $110,351 | $3,251 |
| Level 6, pay point 1 | $58.37 | $2,218.02 | $115,337 | $3,381 |
| Level 6, pay point 2 | $59.66 | $2,267.02 | $117,885 | $3,448 |
| Level 6, pay point 3 | $60.95 | $2,316.16 | $120,440 | $3,515 |
| Level 7, pay point 1 | $63.13 | $2,398.95 | $124,745 | $3,627 |
| Level 7, pay point 2 | $64.46 | $2,449.36 | $127,367 | $3,696 |
| Level 7, pay point 3 | $65.77 | $2,499.20 | $129,958 | $3,764 |
| Level 8, pay point 1 | $68.49 | $2,602.75 | $135,343 | $3,903 |
| Level 8, pay point 2 | $69.84 | $2,653.94 | $138,005 | $3,966 |
| Level 8, pay point 3 | $71.19 | $2,705.27 | $140,674 | $4,029 |
Full-time rates for a 38-hour week, including the equal remuneration order amounts, as published in the pay guide. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, without salary packaging.
Weekend and public holiday rates (pay point 1 of each level)
| Level | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $41.33 | $55.10 | $68.88 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $54.33 | $72.44 | $90.55 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $60.74 | $80.98 | $101.23 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $70.05 | $93.40 | $116.75 |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $80.15 | $106.86 | $133.58 |
| Level 6, pay point 1 | $87.56 | $116.74 | $145.93 |
| Level 7, pay point 1 | $94.70 | $126.26 | $157.83 |
| Level 8, pay point 1 | $102.74 | $136.98 | $171.23 |
Where you start: a relevant certificate is Level 2; a Certificate IV or diploma Level 2 pay point 2; a 3-year degree Level 3 pay point 3; a 4-year degree Level 3 pay point 4. See social and youth worker salary.
Home care pay rates: now and from 1 December 2026
| Level | Hourly from 1 July 2026 | Hourly from 1 December 2026 | Saturday (Dec) | Sunday (Dec) | Public holiday (Dec) | Casual (Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $27.28 | $31.38 | $47.07 | $62.76 | $78.45 | $39.23 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $28.86 | $33.19 | $49.79 | $66.38 | $82.98 | $41.49 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $29.06 | $33.41 | $50.12 | $66.82 | $83.53 | $41.76 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $29.45 | $33.87 | $50.81 | $67.74 | $84.68 | $42.34 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $30.36 | $34.92 | $52.38 | $69.84 | $87.30 | $43.65 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $32.13 | $36.95 | $55.43 | $73.90 | $92.38 | $46.19 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $32.77 | $37.68 | $56.52 | $75.36 | $94.20 | $47.10 |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $34.45 | $39.62 | $59.43 | $79.24 | $99.05 | $49.53 |
| Level 5, pay point 2 | $35.81 | $40.58 | $60.87 | $81.16 | $101.45 | $50.73 |
The 1 December 2026 rates are for home care employees doing disability care, from the first full pay period on or after that date. More on the disability support worker pay page.
Crisis accommodation pay rates
Crisis accommodation Levels 1 to 4 are paid the same as social and community services Levels 3 to 6.
| Level | Hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1 | $40.49 | $1,538.59 | $80,007 |
| Level 1, pay point 2 | $41.66 | $1,582.94 | $82,313 |
| Level 1, pay point 3 | $42.55 | $1,616.71 | $84,069 |
| Level 1, pay point 4 | $43.42 | $1,649.97 | $85,798 |
| Level 2, pay point 1 | $46.70 | $1,774.74 | $92,286 |
| Level 2, pay point 2 | $47.92 | $1,821.07 | $94,696 |
| Level 2, pay point 3 | $49.16 | $1,867.93 | $97,132 |
| Level 2, pay point 4 | $50.25 | $1,909.51 | $99,295 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $53.43 | $2,030.20 | $105,570 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $54.58 | $2,073.91 | $107,843 |
| Level 3, pay point 3 | $55.85 | $2,122.13 | $110,351 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $58.37 | $2,218.02 | $115,337 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $59.66 | $2,267.02 | $117,885 |
| Level 4, pay point 3 | $60.95 | $2,316.16 | $120,440 |
How it works
- The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] has four streams: social and community services, crisis accommodation, family day care and home care. Family day care rates are in the pay guide.
- Each level has pay points; the award sets out how and when employees progress between them.
- Casuals get a 25% loading. Super is paid on top. Many community organisations can offer salary packaging.
Common questions
What are the SCHADS award pay rates?
From 1 July 2026, social and community services employees earn $27.55 an hour at Level 1 to $71.19 at Level 8, pay point 3. Home care employees start at $27.28 an hour, rising to $31.38 from 1 December 2026 for home care disability work.
What is SCHADS Level 2 pay?
Social and community services Level 2 is $36.22 to $39.53 an hour (pay points 1 to 4). Home care Level 2 is $28.86 to $29.06.
What is SCHADS Level 3 pay?
Social and community services Level 3 is $40.49 to $43.42 an hour. Graduates with a 3-year degree start at no lower than pay point 3, and with a 4-year degree no lower than pay point 4 ($43.42).
What are the SCHADS weekend rates?
Saturday is time and a half, Sunday double time and public holidays double time and a half for full-time and part-time employees. Casuals get a 25% loading on the hourly rate.
Is the SCHADS award changing?
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 further changes and a new classification structure from 1 October 2027 (Fair Work Commission's gender-based undervaluation review).
Who does the SCHADS award cover?
Social and community services (including social work, youth work, welfare and community development, and disability services), crisis accommodation, family day care and home care.
See also aged care pay rates, teacher aide salary and the penalty rates calculator.
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] effective 1 July 2026 and 1 December 2026; award text; Fair Work Ombudsman: changes to the award. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.