Am I being underpaid as a support worker?
How to check if you’re being underpaid as a support worker — the common underpayments under SCHADS, how to read your pay slip, and what to do about it.
How do I know if I'm being underpaid as a support worker?
What is the SCHADS Award, and how is it different from the NDIS price limit?
What penalty rates and loadings am I entitled to?
Am I being paid for travel, and should I be?
Common ways support workers get underpaid
A worked example: spotting the gap
How to check your pay slip line by line
What to do if you think you're being underpaid
Independent or platform worker? How pay works differently
Common mistakes workers make when checking pay
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer pay me below the SCHADS award if I agree to it?
No. The SCHADS Award is a legal minimum and you cannot lawfully agree to be paid below it, even in writing. The only way to be on different rates is a registered enterprise agreement that leaves you better off overall than the award. If you have signed something paying less, it does not remove your entitlement to the award minimum — confirm your position with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Does the NDIS price limit mean my provider cannot afford to pay me properly?
No — those are two different numbers. The NDIS price limit is the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan, and it is deliberately set higher than your wage to cover insurance, supervision, training, admin and overheads. Your minimum pay is set by the SCHADS Award, not the price limit, so "the NDIS only pays X" is never a valid reason to underpay you.
Should I be paid for travelling between clients?
Yes, generally. Time spent travelling between participants during a shift is usually paid work time under SCHADS, and using your own car attracts a per-kilometre vehicle allowance. Your ordinary home-to-first-client and last-client-to-home commute is normally unpaid. Keep your own log of travel time and kilometres so you can check it against your pay.
How far back can I claim underpaid wages?
Back pay can generally be recovered for a period of years, but there are legal time limits, so acting sooner is better. Gather your pay slips and rosters, calculate the gap using the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool, and raise it in writing. If it is not resolved, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help you recover unpaid amounts — check the current time limits with them.
I was told to get an ABN and invoice as a contractor. Is that legal?
It depends on how you actually work, not what the arrangement is called. If you work set shifts, are told how and when to do the job, and cannot genuinely run your own business, you may really be an employee — and being made to use an ABN to avoid paying you award wages, super and leave can be unlawful sham contracting. Check the employee-versus-contractor guidance from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the ATO.
Is superannuation paid on top of my hourly rate?
Yes. Super is paid by your employer in addition to your wages, into your nominated fund, and it should appear on your pay slip. The rate rises to 12% from 1 July 2026, so check pay slips from that date reflect it. Log in to your super fund to confirm contributions are actually arriving — missing super is a common and often hidden form of underpayment; confirm the current rules with the ATO.
Will I get in trouble for asking about my pay?
No — it is unlawful for an employer to punish, threaten or dismiss you for genuinely querying your pay or making an underpayment complaint. This protection is known as adverse action. Raise the issue politely and in writing, keep records, and if you are worried about how it is handled, the Fair Work Ombudsman or your union can support you.