The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award sets the minimum pay rates for disability support workers across Australia. Getting these rates right is critical for NDIS providers — underpayment leads to Fair Work penalties, while overpayment erodes your margins.
This guide covers every SCHADS classification level, penalty rates, overtime rules, and practical tips for managing payroll compliance in your NDIS business.
SCHADS Classification Levels and Hourly Rates
The SCHADS Award classifies disability support workers into 9 levels based on qualifications, experience, and responsibilities. Here are the current base hourly rates:
| Level | Base Rate (per hour) | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $31.50 | Entry-level support worker, no qualifications required |
| Level 2 | $33.20 | Support worker with Cert III or 12+ months experience |
| Level 3 | $35.80 | Experienced worker, may lead small teams |
| Level 4 | $37.90 | Senior support worker, supervisory duties |
| Level 5 | $40.10 | Coordinator, complex support needs |
| Level 6 | $42.80 | Senior coordinator, program management |
| Level 7 | $45.20 | Manager, service delivery oversight |
| Level 8 | $48.60 | Senior manager, multi-site responsibility |
| Level 9 | $52.10 | Executive level, organisational leadership |
Weekend and Penalty Rates
NDIS providers must pay penalty loadings for work performed outside standard hours. These penalties apply on top of the base hourly rate:
| When | Loading | Level 2 Example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 1.0x (base rate) | $33.20/hr |
| Saturday | 1.5x | $49.80/hr |
| Sunday | 2.0x | $66.40/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $83.00/hr |
| Evening (8pm – midnight) | +15% | $38.18/hr |
| Night (midnight – 6am) | +15% | $38.18/hr |
Overtime Rules
Overtime applies when a full-time worker exceeds 38 hours per week or 7.6 hours per day (for day workers). Overtime rates under the SCHADS Award are:
- First 2 hours of overtime: 1.5x the base rate
- After 2 hours: 2.0x the base rate
- Overtime on Sundays: 2.0x
- Overtime on public holidays: 2.5x
For casual workers, overtime applies after 38 hours in a week. The casual loading (25%) is included before overtime calculations.
Common SCHADS Payroll Mistakes
These errors frequently trigger Fair Work investigations for NDIS providers:
- Incorrect classification: Paying a Level 2 worker at Level 1 because they lack formal qualifications, despite having over 12 months of experience.
- Missing penalty rates: Not applying Saturday/Sunday loadings for SIL shifts that cross midnight or span weekends.
- Travel time: Failing to pay travel time between client visits during a continuous shift.
- Sleepover rates: Misapplying the sleepover allowance for SIL overnight shifts versus active night support.
- Broken shifts: Not paying the broken shift allowance when a worker has a gap of more than one hour between engagements on the same day.
How to Manage SCHADS Compliance
Manual payroll calculations across 9 classification levels, multiple penalty rates, and overtime rules are error-prone. Most NDIS providers who face Fair Work action got there through honest mistakes, not deliberate underpayment.
The solution is automated payroll software that understands the SCHADS Award natively. Your rostering system should automatically calculate the correct rate for every shift based on the worker's classification, the day of the week, and the time of day.
Automate SCHADS Compliance with WattleOps
WattleOps has all 9 SCHADS classification levels built in. Every shift automatically calculates the correct pay rate including weekend penalties, overtime, and evening loadings. No spreadsheets required.
Start Your 60-Day Free Trial →Key Takeaways
- The SCHADS Award has 9 classification levels ranging from $31.50/hr (Level 1) to $52.10/hr (Level 9)
- Saturday shifts cost 1.5x and Sunday shifts cost 2.0x the base rate
- Public holidays attract a 2.5x loading
- Overtime kicks in after 38 hours/week or 7.6 hours/day for full-time workers
- Automated rostering software prevents costly payroll errors
- The Fair Work Ombudsman actively audits NDIS providers for SCHADS compliance
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only. Rates are indicative and based on publicly available SCHADS Award information as of August 2026. Always verify current rates with the Fair Work Ombudsman or seek professional payroll advice.