Disability Support Worker Early Morning Pay Rate 2026
How much does a disability support worker earn on early morning? 1.15x penalty rate under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Quick Answer
A disability support worker working on early morning earns $30.26/hr (15% above the base rate of $26.31/hr).
Based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000013), Level 1 adult rate, effective 1 July 2025.
Base Rate vs Early Morning Penalty Rate
Weekday Base Rate
$26.31/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Early Morning Penalty Rate
$30.26/hr
1.15x (+15%)
Casual Early Morning Rate
Casual disability support workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($32.89/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the early morning penalty rate of 1.15x.
How the Penalty Rate Is Calculated
Start with the base hourly rate: $26.31/hr
Multiply by the early morning penalty rate: 1.15x
$26.31 x 1.15 = $30.26/hr
What the Award Says About Early Morning Work
Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, employees working early morning hours receive 1.15x their base rate. Early morning hours are generally defined as work performed between midnight and 6am or 7am, depending on the award. These penalties recognise the health and lifestyle impact of working unsociable hours.
Source: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000013). Rates effective from 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
Weekly Earnings Example
If you work 8 hours on early morning, you earn $242.05 instead of $210.48 on a weekday — that's $31.57 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$210.48
Early Morning (8hrs)
$242.05
Extra Earned
+$31.57
All Penalty Rates for Disability Support Workers
| Day / Time | Multiplier | Full-Time Rate | Casual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (base) | 1.0x | $26.31/hr | $32.89/hr |
| Saturday | 1.5x | $39.46/hr | $49.34/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $52.62/hr | $65.78/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $65.77/hr | $82.23/hr |
| Christmas Day | 2.5x | $65.77/hr | $82.23/hr |
| Evening | 1.15x | $30.26/hr | $37.82/hr |
| Early Morning | 1.15x | $30.26/hr | $37.82/hr |
Am I Getting the Right Penalty Rate?
Use our Penalty Rate Calculator to check your exact rate based on your award, classification level, and employment type.
Open Penalty Rate CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a disability support worker earn on early morning?
A disability support worker working on early morning earns $30.26 per hour under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010. This is 1.15x the base rate of $26.31/hr, which is 15% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual disability support workers earn $37.82/hr (1.15x their casual rate of $32.89/hr).
What is the early morning penalty rate for disability support workers?
The early morning penalty rate for disability support workers is 1.15x the base hourly rate under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 (MA000013). For a Level 1 disability support worker, this means $30.26/hr instead of $26.31/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Do casuals get penalty rates on early morning?
Yes. Casual disability support workers receive penalty rates on early morning. The 1.15x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $32.89/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $37.82/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Can my employer make me work on early morning?
Your employer can roster you to work on early morning as part of your ordinary hours or as overtime, provided it aligns with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010 and your employment contract. However, you must be paid the correct penalty rate of 1.15x your base rate ($30.26/hr). If you believe your roster is unreasonable, you can raise this with your employer or contact Fair Work.
Other Early Morning Penalty Rates
Disability Support Worker — Other Penalty Rates
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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