Social worker and youth worker pay under the social and community services stream of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award from 1 July 2026: every level and pay point, where graduates and certificate holders start, weekend rates and take-home pay in 2026–27.
A social work graduate with a 4-year degree starts on at least $1,649.97 a week ($43.42 an hour, about $85,798 a year). A youth worker with a certificate starts on at least $36.22 an hour. Open in the pay calculator.
Where you start
| Qualification | Starting point | Hourly | Year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relevant certificate | Level 2, pay point 1 | $36.22 | $71,577 |
| Certificate IV, or a diploma | Level 2, pay point 2 | $37.36 | $73,829 |
| 3-year degree (Level 3 work) | Level 3, pay point 3 | $42.55 | $84,069 |
| 4-year degree (Level 3 work) | Level 3, pay point 4 | $43.42 | $85,798 |
The award's minimum starting points for work related to the qualification (Schedule B). Diploma holders move up after 12 months' full-time equivalent service. You can be classified higher if the job's duties fit a higher level.
SCHADS social and community services 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. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, without salary packaging or a study loan.
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Level | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Level 3, pay point 1 | $60.74 | $80.98 | $101.23 |
| Level 3, pay point 2 | $62.49 | $83.32 | $104.15 |
| Level 3, pay point 3 | $63.83 | $85.10 | $106.38 |
| Level 3, pay point 4 | $65.13 | $86.84 | $108.55 |
| Level 4, pay point 1 | $70.05 | $93.40 | $116.75 |
| Level 4, pay point 2 | $71.88 | $95.84 | $119.80 |
| Level 4, pay point 3 | $73.74 | $98.32 | $122.90 |
| Level 4, pay point 4 | $75.38 | $100.50 | $125.63 |
| Level 5, pay point 1 | $80.15 | $106.86 | $133.58 |
| Level 5, pay point 2 | $81.87 | $109.16 | $136.45 |
| Level 5, pay point 3 | $83.78 | $111.70 | $139.63 |
| Level 6, pay point 1 | $87.56 | $116.74 | $145.93 |
| Level 6, pay point 2 | $89.49 | $119.32 | $149.15 |
| Level 6, pay point 3 | $91.43 | $121.90 | $152.38 |
| Level 7, pay point 1 | $94.70 | $126.26 | $157.83 |
| Level 7, pay point 2 | $96.69 | $128.92 | $161.15 |
| Level 7, pay point 3 | $98.66 | $131.54 | $164.43 |
| Level 8, pay point 1 | $102.74 | $136.98 | $171.23 |
| Level 8, pay point 2 | $104.76 | $139.68 | $174.60 |
| Level 8, pay point 3 | $106.79 | $142.38 | $177.98 |
Full-time and part-time employees. Casuals get a 25% loading on the hourly rate.
How it works
- Levels go up with the complexity and responsibility of the work described in Schedule B of the award: Level 2 works under general guidance within clearly defined guidelines, Level 3 under general direction.
- Social workers employed by public hospitals, state governments and councils are paid under their own agreements; see public service pay.
- Many community organisations are charities that can offer salary packaging, which raises take-home pay.
- Super is paid on top. Disability support work is covered on the disability support worker pay page.
Common questions
How much does a social worker earn in Australia?
Under the SCHADS award, a social work graduate with a 4-year degree starts at no lower than Level 3 pay point 4: $1,649.97 a week, $43.42 an hour or about $85,798 a year, from 1 July 2026. The top of the scale, Level 8, is about $140,674 a year. Social workers in public hospitals and government are paid under state agreements instead.
How much does a youth worker get paid?
A youth worker with a relevant certificate starts at Level 2 ($36.22 an hour, about $71,577 a year), or pay point 2 with a Certificate IV ($37.36). Degree-qualified youth workers doing Level 3 work start at $42.55 (3-year degree) or $43.42 (4-year degree) an hour.
Which award covers social workers and youth workers?
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS). Its social and community services sector includes social work, recreation work, welfare work, youth work and community development work in community organisations.
What do community workers get on weekends?
Time and a half on Saturdays, double time on Sundays and double time and a half on public holidays. At Level 3 pay point 4 that's $65.13, $86.84 and $108.55 an hour.
How much does a social worker take home?
On $85,798 a year, about $2,609 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27, before salary packaging.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also aged care pay, teacher aide salary and nurse salary.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.