Disability Support Worker Public Holiday Pay Rate 2026
How much does a disability support worker earn on public holiday? 2.5x 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 public holiday earns $65.77/hr (150% 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 Public Holiday Penalty Rate
Weekday Base Rate
$26.31/hr
1.0x (no penalty)
Public Holiday Penalty Rate
$65.77/hr
2.5x (+150%)
Casual Public Holiday Rate
Casual disability support workers receive their casual-loaded rate ($32.89/hr, which includes 25% casual loading) multiplied by the public holiday penalty rate of 2.5x.
How the Penalty Rate Is Calculated
Start with the base hourly rate: $26.31/hr
Multiply by the public holiday penalty rate: 2.5x
$26.31 x 2.5 = $65.77/hr
What the Award Says About Public Holiday Work
Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010, employees working on a public holiday receive 2.5x their base rate. Employees can also refuse to work on a public holiday if the request is not reasonable. If you do not work on a public holiday, you are still entitled to be paid your ordinary hours for that day (for full-time and part-time employees).
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 public holiday, you earn $526.20 instead of $210.48 on a weekday — that's $315.72 extra.
Weekday (8hrs)
$210.48
Public Holiday (8hrs)
$526.20
Extra Earned
+$315.72
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 public holiday?
A disability support worker working on public holiday earns $65.77 per hour under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award 2010. This is 2.5x the base rate of $26.31/hr, which is 150% more than the ordinary weekday rate. Casual disability support workers earn $82.23/hr (2.5x their casual rate of $32.89/hr).
What is the public holiday penalty rate for disability support workers?
The public holiday penalty rate for disability support workers is 2.5x 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 $65.77/hr instead of $26.31/hr. The penalty rate compensates employees for working during unsociable hours.
Do casuals get penalty rates on public holiday?
Yes. Casual disability support workers receive penalty rates on public holiday. The 2.5x penalty multiplier is applied to the casual rate of $32.89/hr (which already includes 25% casual loading), giving a total of $82.23/hr. Casual employees receive both their loading and the penalty rate.
Can my employer make me work on public holiday?
Under the Fair Work Act, an employer can request you to work on public holiday, but you can refuse if the request is unreasonable. Factors include: the nature of the workplace, your personal circumstances including family responsibilities, whether you could reasonably expect the request, and the amount of notice given. If you do work, you must be paid 2.5x your base rate.
Other Public Holiday 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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