Superannuation and leave for support workers
How superannuation and leave work for support workers in 2026 — the super rate rising to 12% from 1 July 2026, and annual, sick and other leave under SCHADS.
Super and leave: what every support worker is entitled to
How much super should I be getting as a support worker?
Do casual support workers get super and leave?
How much annual leave do permanent support workers get?
Personal (sick) and carer's leave for support workers
Public holidays, penalty rates and the SCHADS structure
SCHADS pay vs the NDIS price limit — don't confuse them
How to check you're actually being paid your super and leave
Contractors, ABNs and platform work: the hidden trade-off
Frequently asked questions
Is superannuation paid on top of my wage or taken out of it?
Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary wage — it is never deducted from the pay you take home. If you earn $1,000 in ordinary time earnings, your employer pays the super guarantee (12% from 1 July 2026) into your fund in addition to that $1,000. If you salary-sacrifice extra into super, that portion does come out of your pre-tax pay, but that is a voluntary top-up you choose, not the compulsory employer contribution. Confirm the current rate and rules with the ATO.
Do casual support workers get any paid leave?
No, casual support workers do not accrue paid annual leave or paid personal (sick) leave — that is why they receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base SCHADS rate instead. Casuals do, however, get up to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave, plus unpaid carer's and compassionate leave. If you have worked a regular, predictable pattern for 6 to 12 months you may be able to request casual conversion to a permanent role, which unlocks paid annual and personal leave.
How much annual leave am I entitled to as a permanent support worker?
Permanent support workers get four weeks of paid annual leave per year under the National Employment Standards, accruing gradually as you work and paid out if you leave the job. Part-time workers get the same four weeks on a pro-rata basis according to their hours, and you may also receive annual leave loading (commonly 17.5%) when you take it. If you regularly work Sundays and public holidays as a defined seven-day shift worker under SCHADS, you may be entitled to a fifth week — check the award and your roster.
What is the difference between the SCHADS rate and the NDIS price limit?
The SCHADS Award rate is what you as the worker are paid, set by the Fair Work Commission. The NDIS price limit is the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan for your support, set by the NDIS. They are different numbers set by different bodies, and the price limit has to cover not just your wage but the provider's overheads like supervision, insurance and admin — so the two should never be treated as the same figure. Confirm your pay with the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool, not the NDIS price list.
What should I do if my employer isn't paying my super?
First, check your super fund directly rather than relying on the 'accrued' figure on your payslip, because accrued on paper is not the same as money that has actually landed in your fund. Super must be paid at least quarterly under current rules. If it is missing, you can report unpaid super to the ATO, which has the power to investigate and recover it from the employer on your behalf. Keep copies of your payslips and your own record of shifts worked as evidence.
Do independent contractors on an ABN get super and leave?
Usually not — if you work under your own ABN as a genuine independent contractor, you generally fund your own super and get no paid leave, so your rate needs to be higher to compensate. However, if a contract is wholly or principally for your labour, the ATO may still require the hirer to pay super, and if you really work like an employee, Fair Work may find you are owed leave regardless of the paperwork. If you are unsure, use the ATO's employee/contractor decision tool or seek advice before signing.
Does the casual loading replace super?
No — these are two separate things and you should get both. The 25% casual loading compensates you for not having paid leave and job security, while superannuation is a compulsory employer contribution paid on your ordinary time earnings, which includes the loading. So a casual support worker should receive the base rate, plus the 25% loading, plus super (12% from 1 July 2026) calculated on that total. If your payslip is missing the super line, that is a problem to raise with your employer and, if needed, the ATO.