Minimum pay rates for disability support workers under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100)
Disability support workers assist people with disabilities in daily living, personal care, community participation, and supported independent living under the NDIS.
$26.31
Base rate/hr
$32.89
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$26.31
Hourly (Casual)
$32.89
Weekly (38hrs)
$999.78
Annual (Full-Time)
$51,988.56
Disability Support Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some disability support workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
View full Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award pay rates →
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 PP 1 | Support worker (new entrant) | $25.41 | $31.76 | $965.58 | $50,210.16 |
| Level 2 PP 1 | Support worker (Cert III) | $26.31 | $32.89 | $999.78 | $51,988.56 |
| Level 2 PP 3 | Experienced support worker | $27.32 | $34.15 | $1,038.16 | $53,984.32 |
| Level 3 PP 1 | Senior support worker | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
| Level 4 PP 1 | Team leader / coordinator | $30.05 | $37.56 | $1,141.90 | $59,378.80 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual disability support workers receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $26.31/hr to $32.89/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual disability support worker working 38 hours per week would earn $64,990.64 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-time disability support workers receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($26.31/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Penalty rates apply when disability support workers work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($26.31/hr base).
Saturday
$39.46/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$52.62/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$65.77/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
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 earn less than $26.31/hr as a full-time or part-time disability support worker, or less than $32.89/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Support Worker | $26.31/hr | $32.89/hr | $51,988.56 | MA000100 |
| Social Worker | $28.54/hr | $35.68/hr | $56,395.04 | MA000100 |
| Home Care Worker | $25.68/hr | $32.10/hr | $50,743.68 | MA000100 |
| Retail Worker | $24.10/hr | $30.13/hr | $47,621.60 | MA000004 |
The minimum hourly rate for a disability support worker in Australia is $26.31/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $32.89/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100), the minimum wage for a disability support worker starts at $26.31/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $999.78/week or $51,988.56/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $24.95/hr.
Disability Support Workers in Australia are generally covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000100). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some disability support workers may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
A casual disability support worker receives $32.89/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $26.31/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, disability support workers receive: Saturday 1.5x ($39.46/hr), Sunday 2x ($52.62/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($65.77/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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