Minimum pay rates for disability support workers in South Australia under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100)
$26.31
Base rate/hr
$32.89
Casual rate/hr
Disability support workers assist people with disabilities in daily living, personal care, community participation, and supported independent living under the NDIS.
South Australia Note
South Australia workers may have state-specific entitlements. Check with SafeWork SA for occupational health requirements.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $26.31/hr | $999.78 | $51,988.56 |
| Part-time (adult) | $26.31/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $32.89/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010.
Saturday
$39.46/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$52.62/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$65.77/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($26.31/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 PP 1 | Support worker (new entrant) | $25.41 | $31.76 | $50,210.16 |
| Level 2 PP 1 | Support worker (Cert III) | $26.31 | $32.89 | $51,988.56 |
| Level 2 PP 3 | Experienced support worker | $27.32 | $34.15 | $53,984.32 |
| Level 3 PP 1 | Senior support worker | $28.54 | $35.68 | $56,395.04 |
| Level 4 PP 1 | Team leader / coordinator | $30.05 | $37.56 | $59,378.80 |
View full Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 pay rates →
NDIS support workers frequently work irregular hours including sleepovers, overnight shifts, and weekends. Ensure you are receiving correct penalty rates and sleepover allowances.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →| Job | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Worker | $28.54/hr | $35.68/hr | $57.08/hr |
| Home Care Worker | $25.68/hr | $32.10/hr | $51.36/hr |
The minimum hourly rate for a disability support worker in South Australia is $26.31/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $32.89/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a disability support worker is $26.31 per hour ($999.78 per week for a 38-hour week, or $51,988.56 per year). This is set by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Disability Support Workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Yes. Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, disability support workers receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($39.46/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($52.62/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($65.77/hr).
The casual rate for a disability support worker is $32.89/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $26.31/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
SCHADS Award does not have junior rates. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
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