SCHADS award pay levels: where do you fit?
The SCHADS award pay levels explained for disability support workers — how qualifications and experience map to your classification, and how to move up a level.
What are SCHADS award pay levels?
The SCHADS classification levels at a glance
How pay points inside a level work
Which level does a new support worker start on?
What moves you up a level?
How penalties and loadings stack on your level
SCHADS pay level vs NDIS price limit — don't confuse them
How to check your own SCHADS level and rate
Common mistakes and what to watch for
A realistic scenario: from Level 1 to a fair Level 3
Why your level matters when job hunting
Practical next steps
Frequently asked questions
What level am I on if I have a Certificate III in disability support?
A Certificate III typically places you at Level 2, particularly if you do personal care, medication support and community access with limited supervision. If the role requires you to work independently with complex participants or to mentor others, it may justify Level 3. The qualification helps, but it is the duties and independence of your actual role that set the level — confirm your classification against the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool.
How often should I move up a pay point in SCHADS?
Within a classification level you generally move up one pay point for each year of continuous service, until you reach the top pay point of that level. This is separate from moving up a whole level, which requires a genuine change in your duties or required qualification. If you have been at the same level for a few years but your pay point has not progressed, that is worth raising with your employer, as continuous experience — including casual work — should count.
Is the SCHADS rate the same as what the NDIS pays for my support?
No, and they should never be confused. The SCHADS rate is your minimum wage as an employee, set by the Fair Work Commission. The NDIS price limit is the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan for an hour of support, set by the NDIS, and it has to cover your wage plus super, insurance, supervision, training, travel and overhead. The gap between the two is the cost of running the service, not money owed to you.
What are the SCHADS weekend and public holiday penalty rates?
The penalty structure is stable: Saturday work is paid at 150% of your base rate, Sunday at 200%, and public holidays at 250%. Casual employees also receive a 25% casual loading, and evening and night shifts attract additional shift loadings. These all apply on top of the base rate for your classification level, so your exact figure depends on which SCHADS level and pay point you are on — confirm the base in the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool.
Does superannuation change in 2026?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee rises to 12%. Your employer pays this on top of your wage, so check your payslip reflects the correct rate against your ordinary earnings. For anything specific about super or tax, the ATO is the primary source to confirm current rules.
What should I do if I think I'm on the wrong SCHADS level?
Start by writing down your actual duties — your supervision level, the complexity of the participants you support, and whether you supervise or coordinate others — then compare them to the classification descriptions in the SCHADS award and the rate in the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. If your duties clearly sit above your paid level, raise it in writing with your employer with specific examples. If it is not resolved, the Fair Work Ombudsman and your union (the ASU or HSU) can review your classification.
Which SCHADS level do team leaders and coordinators sit on?
Team leaders, senior support workers and coordinators typically sit at Level 4 or above, because the role involves supervising other staff, coordinating supports and carrying responsibilities beyond direct care. A Certificate IV or Diploma, or substantial equivalent experience, usually underpins these roles. As always, the level should reflect the real responsibilities of the position rather than a title alone — confirm the current rate against the primary source.