Home care employee level 1, disability care, pay point 1
$1,036.80 a week
Salary guide
Disability support worker pay in Australia: what the SCHADS Award sets
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, known as the SCHADS Award, sets the minimum pay for most disability support workers. A home care employee at level 3, pay point 1 (certificate 3) must be paid at least $1,119.10 a week, and level 2 starts at $1,096.60 a week. A social and community services employee at level 2, pay point 1 is paid at least $1,376.49 a week ($36.22 an hour). These are award minimums in force from 1 July 2026. The Fair Work Commission has decided an interim increase for home care employees in disability care, so check Fair Work for the start date and the new rates before relying on the home care figures. Check Fair Work for the latest rates.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Figures last checked 6 October 2026 against the Fair Work award text. Award minimums only: not an average, a market rate or an offer.
Official data
Key facts
Home care employee level 2, disability care, pay point 1
$1,096.60 a week
Home care employee level 3, disability care, certificate 3
$1,119.10 a week
Home care employee level 4, disability care, pay point 1
$1,221.00 a week
Home care employee level 5, disability care, degree or diploma
$1,309.20 a week
Social and community services employee level 2, pay point 1
$1,376.49 a week ($36.22 an hour)
Social and community services employee level 3, associate diploma or advanced certificate
$1,538.59 a week ($40.49 an hour)
Social and community services employee level 4, pay point 1
$1,774.74 a week ($46.70 an hour)
Casual employees
A casual employee is paid 1/38th of the weekly rate for their classification for each hour, plus a 25% loading.
Saturday and Sunday ordinary hours
150% of the ordinary rate on Saturday and 200% on Sunday. Casual employees are paid 175% and 225% inclusive of the casual loading.
Broken shift allowance
1.7% of the standard rate for a broken shift with one unpaid break, and a different percentage where a worker agrees to two unpaid breaks.
Home care employee: disability care (SCHADS Award)
Weekly minimums for full-time home care employees providing disability care, as the award prints them.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Home care employee level 1—disability care | Pay point 1 | $1,036.80 |
| Home care employee level 2—disability care | Pay point 1 | $1,096.60 |
| Home care employee level 2—disability care | Pay point 2 | $1,104.10 |
| Home care employee level 3—disability care | Pay point 1 (certificate 3) | $1,119.10 |
| Home care employee level 3—disability care | Pay point 2 | $1,153.70 |
| Home care employee level 4—disability care | Pay point 1 | $1,221.00 |
| Home care employee level 4—disability care | Pay point 2 | $1,245.40 |
| Home care employee level 5—disability care | Pay point 1 (degree or diploma) | $1,309.20 |
| Home care employee level 5—disability care | Pay point 2 | $1,360.80 |
Source: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100], clause 17.1. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 6 October 2026.
Social and community services employee, levels 2 to 8 (SCHADS Award)
Current rates including the equal remuneration order, with the weekly and hourly figures the award prints.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Level | Classification | Clause 15 base weekly wage | ERO percentage | Current weekly wage | Current hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social and community services employee level 2 | Pay point 1 | $1,119.10 | 123% | $1,376.49 | $36.22 |
| Social and community services employee level 2 | Pay point 2 | $1,154.30 | 123% | $1,419.79 | $37.36 |
| Social and community services employee level 2 | Pay point 3 | $1,189.40 | 123% | $1,462.96 | $38.50 |
| Social and community services employee level 2 | Pay point 4 | $1,221.10 | 123% | $1,501.95 | $39.53 |
| Social and community services employee level 3 | Pay point 1 (associate diploma/advanced certificate) | $1,221.10 | 126% | $1,538.59 | $40.49 |
| Social and community services employee level 3 | Pay point 2 | $1,256.30 | 126% | $1,582.94 | $41.66 |
| Social and community services employee level 3 | Pay point 3 (3 year degree) | $1,283.10 | 126% | $1,616.71 | $42.55 |
| Social and community services employee level 3 | Pay point 4 (4 year degree) | $1,309.50 | 126% | $1,649.97 | $43.42 |
| Social and community services employee level 4 | Pay point 1 | $1,344.50 | 132% | $1,774.74 | $46.70 |
| Social and community services employee level 4 | Pay point 2 | $1,379.60 | 132% | $1,821.07 | $47.92 |
| Social and community services employee level 4 | Pay point 3 | $1,415.10 | 132% | $1,867.93 | $49.16 |
| Social and community services employee level 4 | Pay point 4 | $1,446.60 | 132% | $1,909.51 | $50.25 |
| Social and community services employee level 5 | Pay point 1 | $1,481.90 | 137% | $2,030.20 | $53.43 |
| Social and community services employee level 5 | Pay point 2 | $1,513.80 | 137% | $2,073.91 | $54.58 |
| Social and community services employee level 5 | Pay point 3 | $1,549.00 | 137% | $2,122.13 | $55.85 |
| Social and community services employee level 6 | Pay point 1 | $1,584.30 | 140% | $2,218.02 | $58.37 |
| Social and community services employee level 6 | Pay point 2 | $1,619.30 | 140% | $2,267.02 | $59.66 |
| Social and community services employee level 6 | Pay point 3 | $1,654.40 | 140% | $2,316.16 | $60.95 |
| Social and community services employee level 7 | Pay point 1 | $1,689.40 | 142% | $2,398.95 | $63.13 |
| Social and community services employee level 7 | Pay point 2 | $1,724.90 | 142% | $2,449.36 | $64.46 |
| Social and community services employee level 7 | Pay point 3 | $1,760.00 | 142% | $2,499.20 | $65.77 |
| Social and community services employee level 8 | Pay point 1 | $1,795.00 | 145% | $2,602.75 | $68.49 |
| Social and community services employee level 8 | Pay point 2 | $1,830.30 | 145% | $2,653.94 | $69.84 |
| Social and community services employee level 8 | Pay point 3 | $1,865.70 | 145% | $2,705.27 | $71.19 |
Source: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100], clause 15, Note 2. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Checked 6 October 2026.
Which part of the award covers a disability support worker?
The SCHADS Award covers employers in the social and community services sector and the home care sector. The award defines the social and community services sector to include disability services, including personal care and domestic and lifestyle support to a person with a disability in a community or residential setting, such as respite centres and day services. It defines the home care sector as personal care, domestic assistance or home maintenance to an aged person or a person with a disability in a private residence. A worker in a group home or day service is usually classified as a social and community services employee. A worker visiting people in their own homes is usually a home care employee. The provider decides the engagement, so read your contract.
How are the home care disability levels defined?
Level 1 of the home care disability classification is for a person with less than 12 months of experience in the industry who does routine tasks such as domestic assistance and basic support. Higher levels add qualifications, responsibility and supervision. The table above shows level 1 to level 5 with the pay points the award prints, including the certificate 3 pay point at level 3 and the degree or diploma pay point at level 5. The award prints weekly figures for these levels and no hourly rate, so the hourly rate for a casual is worked out as 1/38th of the weekly rate plus the 25% loading. The classification you are given depends on the duties, so ask which level the role carries before you accept.
What do the social and community services rates mean?
Social and community services employees at levels 2 to 8 are paid the current rates that include the equal remuneration order. The award prints both a weekly and an hourly figure, so the table above shows both. Level 2 suits a worker with general guidance and defined routines. Level 3 includes workers with an associate diploma or advanced certificate at its first pay point. Level 4 and above cover coordinators and team leaders with more responsibility. If your role in a group home or day program is classified at level 2, the award minimum is higher than the home care level 2 figure, which is one reason the classification matters.
What is paid on top of the minimum rate?
The tables show ordinary-hours minimums. Saturday and Sunday work is paid at 150% and 200% of the ordinary rate, and casual employees receive 175% and 225% inclusive of the loading. A sleepover has a continuous span of eight hours and an allowance of 4.9% of the standard rate for each night, with any work during the sleepover paid at the overtime rate and a minimum payment as for one hour. Broken shifts earn an allowance of 1.7% of the standard rate for one unpaid break. Part-time and casual employees doing disability services work are paid for at least two hours per shift. Superannuation is paid on top of these rates. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (Australian Taxation Office: Super guarantee). Fair Work award MA000100, clause 25.7, read 6 October 2026.
What do these figures not tell you?
They are award minimums for full-time employees, not averages or offers. An employer can pay more, and many larger providers use an enterprise agreement that must leave workers better off overall than the award. Rates are reviewed each year, and the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator shows the current rate for a particular shift. CrossNation does not promise pay, roles or visas, and a listing is not a job offer.
FAQ
Disability support worker pay questions
What is the minimum pay for a disability support worker in Australia?
Under the SCHADS Award a home care employee at level 2, pay point 1 in disability care must be paid at least $1,096.60 a week, and at level 3, pay point 1 (certificate 3) at least $1,119.10 a week, from 1 July 2026. Social and community services employees at level 2 start at $1,376.49 a week ($36.22 an hour). These are minimums.
What is the hourly rate for a disability support worker?
The home care tables are printed as weekly rates, so a casual hourly rate is 1/38th of the weekly rate plus the 25% loading. The social and community services table prints hourly rates, for example $36.22 an hour at level 2, pay point 1. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.
Do casual disability support workers earn more per hour?
Yes. Under the award a casual employee is paid a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate, in place of entitlements such as paid annual leave. Casual weekend rates are 175% on Saturday and 225% on Sunday, inclusive of the loading.
How are sleepovers paid?
A sleepover has a continuous span of eight hours and the worker receives a sleepover allowance of 4.9% of the standard rate for each night. Work during a sleepover is paid at the overtime rate with a minimum payment as for one hour. Fair Work award MA000100, clause 25.7, read 6 October 2026.
Does a Certificate III change the pay level?
The home care disability table lists a certificate 3 pay point at level 3, at $1,119.10 a week. The classification depends on the duties and the employer, so ask which level and pay point you would start on.
Which award applies if my employer has an enterprise agreement?
The agreement applies and must leave you better off overall than the award. Ask for the agreement's pay table and compare it with the award using the Pay Calculator.
Can an employer pay more than the award?
Yes. The award sets minimum pay. Employers can pay more, and employees covered by an enterprise agreement are paid under that agreement, which must leave them better off overall than the award. Check the award or agreement that covers the job, and use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.
Tell us the role, location and start date
Hiring disability support workers? CrossNation recruits for employers across Australia. Fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
CrossNation does not promise pay, roles or visas. These guides are not legal or employment advice. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.