Payroll and SCHADS On-Costs for NDIS Employers
NDIS payroll and SCHADS on-costs explained: what you pay workers vs the PAPL price limit, super at 12%, penalty rates and the real margin per hour.
Your PAPL price is not your wage bill
What SCHADS is and who it covers
SCHADS levels and where your workers sit
The on-costs that turn a $32 wage into a $45+ cost
Penalty rates, broken shifts and sleepovers
Super at 12% and payday super from 1 July 2026
Worked example: the real margin on a weekday shift
Casual vs permanent: rostering to a capped price
Prove and pay: why payroll timing now matters more
Payroll setup: STP, Xero/MYOB and award interpretation
Common payroll mistakes NDIS employers make
What to do next
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the NDIS price limit and the SCHADS wage?
The NDIS price limit (in the PAPL, set by the NDIA) is the most you can charge a participant for a support — around $70.23/hr for standard weekday daytime assistance under the 2025-26 PAPL. The SCHADS wage (award MA000100, set by Fair Work) is the minimum you must pay the worker, roughly $31-$44/hr depending on level and time. The gap between them covers super, leave, insurance, travel, admin and margin, so it is not all profit. Confirm both the current PAPL line item and the current SCHADS rate before you price a service.
How much do on-costs add to a support worker's wage?
For a permanent employee, mandatory on-costs typically add about 25-40% to the base wage before you account for unbillable time. Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, plus annual and personal leave, leave loading, workers compensation and possibly payroll tax. Casuals skip leave but add a 25% loading. Once you also spread supervision, training, travel and no-show time across billable hours, a $32/hr base can cost $45 or more per billable hour.
Does payday super apply to NDIS providers from 1 July 2026?
Yes. Payday super commenced from 1 July 2026, so super must be paid at the same time as wages (broadly within about 7 days of payday) rather than quarterly. The super guarantee rate also rose to 12% on the same date. Together these tighten cash flow, so budget super as a per-pay-run cost. Confirm the exact timing rule on ato.gov.au, as transitional detail can apply.
Do I have to pay support workers for travel between clients?
Yes. SCHADS requires paying for travel time between clients during a shift and reimbursing kilometres at the award rate. This is a real cost that many providers overlook, and it eats directly into a capped PAPL price. Some travel can be claimed against a participant's plan where the rules allow, so check the current PAPL provider travel provisions and record travel accurately. Confirm the current per-kilometre rate in MA000100.
What SCHADS level should a disability support worker be paid at?
Most disability support workers sit at SCHADS Level 1 to 3, with a Certificate III worker of some experience commonly around Level 2 and senior or team-leader roles higher. Classify by the duties actually performed, not the job title, and pay the higher rate if a worker regularly does higher-level work. Underclassifying to save money is a frequent cause of underpayment claims and back-pay. Check the exact pay points on fairwork.gov.au.