Free provider tool
NDIS Support Worker Pay Rate Calculator
Enter a shift's hours, day type, and employment basis and the calculator works out the base pay, applicable SCHADS Award penalty rates, and total shift cost. Built for NDIS coordinators, schedulers, and finance staff who need to check figures quickly without digging through the award document.
Calculated costs
Weekly (5 shifts)
$724
Annual estimate
$37,669
Indicative only. Verify against the current Fair Work pay guide before processing payroll.
How it works
Select the pay level
Choose the SCHADS classification that matches your worker's qualifications and experience — from Level 1.1 (entry-level) through Level 4.2 (senior coordinator).
Set the shift details
Pick employment type (full-time, part-time, or casual), the day the shift falls on, and how many hours the worker will be on site.
See the true cost
The calculator applies the correct SCHADS penalty multiplier and casual loading to show the effective hourly rate, shift cost, and weekly estimate.
SCHADS pay rates 2026-27
The table below shows weekday base rates for common disability support worker pay points, operative from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday rates are calculated by applying the relevant penalty multiplier.
| Level | Weekday | Saturday ×1.50 | Sunday ×2.00 | P/H ×2.50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1.1 | $27.55 | $41.33 | $55.10 | $68.88 |
| Level 1.2 | $28.44 | $42.66 | $56.88 | $71.10 |
| Level 1.3 | $29.46 | $44.19 | $58.92 | $73.65 |
| Level 2.1 | $36.22 | $54.33 | $72.44 | $90.55 |
| Level 2.2 | $37.36 | $56.04 | $74.72 | $93.40 |
| Level 2.3 | $38.50 | $57.75 | $77.00 | $96.25 |
| Level 3.1 | $40.49 | $60.73 | $80.98 | $101.23 |
| Level 3.2 | $41.66 | $62.49 | $83.32 | $104.15 |
| Level 3.3 | $42.55 | $63.82 | $85.10 | $106.38 |
| Level 4.1 | $46.70 | $70.05 | $93.40 | $116.75 |
| Level 4.2 | $47.92 | $71.88 | $95.84 | $119.80 |
Rates effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 (Annual Wage Review 2026, +4.75%). Casual loading (+25%) is added to the penalty multiplier, not compounded with it — a casual Saturday shift is the ordinary rate × 1.75. P/H = Public Holiday, permanent and part-time rate; casuals attract 275%. For superseded 2025‑26 figures see the archived 2025-26 SCHADS calculator.
Why Sunday shifts add up fast
A casual Level 2 worker on a 4-hour Sunday shift costs around $365 all-in (wage + super) at 2026‑27 award rates. That's before allowances. Providers delivering weekend supports should model these costs carefully when pricing new agreements.
What is the SCHADS Award?
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award is the federal minimum employment standard for workers in the disability, aged care, and community sector in Australia. It sets base pay rates by classification level, defines penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, specifies conditions for casual and part-time employment, and establishes allowances for broken shifts, sleepovers, and other common care roster arrangements. NDIS providers are required to meet SCHADS minimums when setting carer pay. Underpayment is an increasing area of Fair Work scrutiny in the sector. Getting the rates right matters both for legal compliance and for accurate modelling of support costs when pricing new client agreements.
Common questions
How much does an NDIS support worker cost per hour?
The base hourly rate depends on their SCHADS Award classification and employment type. A Level 2 support worker (the most common classification for disability support work) earns a base rate of $36.22 per hour at Pay Point 1 as a permanent part-time employee, operative from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Casual workers attract a 25% loading on top of this. Shifts on weekends and public holidays attract penalty rates that can push the effective hourly cost significantly higher. The total cost to your organisation also includes superannuation (currently 12%), leave entitlements for permanent staff, and any applicable allowances such as broken shift or sleepover.
What are the SCHADS Award disability support worker pay rates for 2026-27?
The SCHADS Award sets minimum pay rates updated each July. For 2026-27, following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2026 (+4.75%), Pay Point 1 base rates (before penalty rates or loadings) are: Level 1 $27.55/hr, Level 2 $36.22/hr, Level 3 $40.49/hr, Level 4 $46.70/hr. These apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Always verify against the current Fair Work pay guide or your enterprise agreement before processing payroll.
What is casual loading for NDIS support workers?
Casual loading is an additional 25% added to the ordinary hourly rate for casually employed support workers. It replaces entitlements that permanent employees receive, such as paid leave and notice of termination. For a Level 2 support worker with a base rate of $36.22/hr, the casual rate is $45.28/hr before penalty rates. Casual loading applies on every shift including weekdays, so the true cost of a casual workforce is often higher than organisations budget for when they only look at base rates.
What is the difference between casual and part-time support worker cost?
The headline rate for a casual worker is higher because of the 25% loading, but part-time workers accrue annual leave (4 weeks per year), personal leave (10 days per year), and other entitlements that create an ongoing cost. For regular, predictable rosters, a part-time worker is typically cheaper over time. The real cost comparison should include leave accruals and superannuation on top of the base rate for part-time staff.
What are the weekend penalty rates for NDIS support workers?
Under the SCHADS Award, penalty rates for support workers are: Saturday 150% of the ordinary rate (time and a half), Sunday 200% of the ordinary rate (double time), Public holiday 250% of the ordinary rate for permanent and part-time staff and 275% for casuals. These rates apply to all ordinary hours worked on those days. The 25% casual loading is added to the penalty rate rather than compounded with it, so a casual Saturday shift is the ordinary rate x 1.75, not x 1.50 x 1.25.
How do I calculate the cost of a support worker shift?
To calculate total shift cost: (1) Start with the worker's ordinary hourly rate. (2) Add the penalty multiplier for the day type and, if the worker is casual, the 25% loading on top of that multiplier. (3) Multiply by shift hours. (4) Add superannuation (12% of gross wage). Example: a casual Level 2 Pay Point 1 worker on a 4-hour Sunday shift. Ordinary rate $36.22. Sunday 200% plus 25% casual loading = x 2.25, so $81.50/hr. Shift wage: $81.50 x 4hrs = $325.98. Plus super $39.12. Total: $365.10 for one 4-hour Sunday shift.
Manage your roster in Teiro
Teiro calculates SCHADS pay rates automatically when you build a roster — including penalty rates, casual loading, and allowances. No manual lookups, no payroll errors.
No lock-in. No setup fee.
Rates are based on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100), effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 (Annual Wage Review 2026, +4.75%). Pay point rates for sub-levels (e.g. Level 1.1, 1.2) are indicative and based on the SCHADS Award pay schedule — verify against the current Fair Work pay guide before processing payroll. This tool does not constitute payroll or legal advice.