SCHADS Award Classification 2026: Pay Rates, Levels & 1 Dec Rise
SCHADS Award classifications and 2026–27 pay rates for Levels 1–8, plus the home care disability pay rise of up to 15% from 1 December 2026.
The Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services (SCHADS) Award is central to the rights, pay, and conditions for thousands of workers in Australia’s community services sectors, including disability, home care, aged care, family day care, and crisis accommodation. Getting the classification right under SCHADS isn’t just about fair pay, it’s about legal compliance, staff morale, funding, and reputation.
In this guide, you'll get up-to-date info for 2026–27: classifications (Levels 1-8), key roles by level, the pay rates that apply from 1 July 2026, the home care disability pay rise of up to 15% from 1 December 2026, and where to get authoritative PDFs and tools. All rates below are checked against the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides.
What is the SCHADS Award?
The SCHADS Award, managed by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), applies to a broad range of employees across the social and community services, disability support, home care, and crisis assistance sectors.
Key points to know:
- It applies nationwide across Australia.
- It is updated annually, usually with wage increases effective from 1 July.
- It includes streams and levels that determine how employees are classified and paid.
- On 11 September 2026 the FWC finalised its gender undervaluation review of the award. Home care employees doing disability care get an interim rise of up to 15% from 1 December 2026, and a new single classification structure starts from 1 October 2027.
Download the Official SCHADS Pay Rates PDF
Looking for the exact government-prepared document that outlines the SCHADS Award pay rates?
This PDF includes:
- Full pay rates and classification points for every level
- Always check the "apply from" date on page 1. Rates changed on 1 July 2026 and change again for home care disability employees on 1 December 2026
- Pay rates for every SCHADS classification and role.
- Official document from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Imploy automatically checks SCHADS compliance, so you can focus on what matters.
Streams Under the SCHADS Award
The SCHADS Award is divided into several streams, and these help determine where a role should be classified. Each stream reflects the type of work being performed and carries its own classification levels and pay scales.
- The Social and Community Services (SACS) stream applies to employees who work in welfare services, community advocacy, or programs designed to support vulnerable groups.
- The Home Care stream covers employees who assist clients in their homes with personal care, support services, and daily living activities.
- The Disability Services and Personal Support stream applies to workers who provide care and support to people with disability, whether in community settings, residential facilities, or private homes.
- The Crisis Assistance and Supported Housing stream is for employees who provide emergency housing, family day care, or crisis support services to individuals and families in need.
Getting the correct stream classification is crucial, as it determines the employee’s pay rates, entitlements, and progression pathways under the SCHADS Award.
SCHADS Award Classifications Levels 1-8
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll see in SCHADS levels across streams.
Note: different streams may have slightly different criteria or level structure. Always check the relevant SCHADS schedule.
| Level | Who / Roles / Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level roles, basic support work, under close supervision, limited qualifications or experience. Very routine work. |
| Level 2 | Roles with some responsibility, possibly a Certificate III or IV, more independent work, working with complexity, and some decision making under supervision. |
| Level 3 | More skilled, possibly with a tertiary qualification or high-level Certificate IV + experience. Handling more complex client needs, more autonomy. |
| Level 4 | Specialist skills, perhaps supervisory duties, higher responsibility, qualifications plus experience, may coordinate or lead small teams, or provide specialist support work. |
| Level 5 | Higher level specialist roles, possibly leads, maybe complex care, behaviour support, advanced qualifications or experience. |
| Levels 6-8 | Senior roles, leadership, large teams, management, policy/coordination, high levels of responsibility. |
For example, the classification definitions under various schedules (SACS, Home Care, Crisis Accommodation) set out specific duties, levels of supervision, and required qualifications for each level.
SCHADS Award Pay Rates 2026–27 (From 1 July 2026)
These are the minimum rates for Social and Community Services (SACS) employees from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, after the Fair Work Commission's 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase. The Fair Work Ombudsman published this pay guide on 24 June 2026, but the rates apply from 1 July 2026. See our SCHADS Award increase 2026 guide for how the first full pay period works.
Applies to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For detailed guidance on how broken shift allowances apply under the SCHADS Award, refer to our Broken Shift Allowance under the SCHADS Award guide.
| Level & Pay Point | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – Pay Point 1 | $1,046.90 | $27.55 |
| Level 1 – Pay Point 2 | $1,080.60 | $28.44 |
| Level 1 – Pay Point 3 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 1 | $1,376.49 | $36.22 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 2 | $1,419.79 | $37.36 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 3 | $1,462.96 | $38.50 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 4 | $1,501.95 | $39.53 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 1 | $1,538.59 | $40.49 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 2 | $1,582.94 | $41.66 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 3 | $1,616.71 | $42.55 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 4 | $1,649.97 | $43.42 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 1 | $1,774.74 | $46.70 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 2 | $1,821.07 | $47.92 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 3 | $1,867.93 | $49.16 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 4 | $1,909.51 | $50.25 |
| Level 5 – Pay Point 1 | $2,030.20 | $53.43 |
| Level 5 – Pay Point 2 | $2,073.91 | $54.58 |
| Level 5 – Pay Point 3 | $2,122.13 | $55.85 |
| Level 6 – Pay Point 1 | $2,218.02 | $58.37 |
| Level 6 – Pay Point 2 | $2,267.02 | $59.66 |
| Level 6 – Pay Point 3 | $2,316.16 | $60.95 |
| Level 7 – Pay Point 1 | $2,398.95 | $63.13 |
| Level 7 – Pay Point 2 | $2,449.36 | $64.46 |
| Level 7 – Pay Point 3 | $2,499.20 | $65.77 |
| Level 8 – Pay Point 1 | $2,602.75 | $68.49 |
| Level 8 – Pay Point 2 | $2,653.94 | $69.84 |
| Level 8 – Pay Point 3 | $2,705.27 | $71.19 |
SCHADS Level 3 Salary Example:
A full-time SACS Level 3, pay point 1 employee earns a minimum of $1,538.59 per week before tax ($40.49 an hour for 38 ordinary hours), or roughly $80,000 a year. A casual at the same level gets the 25% loading, which makes the minimum casual rate $50.61 an hour.
Want to see how a specific level works in practice? Read our guides to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 disability support worker pay, or learn how to read and apply the SCHADS pay guide.
Home Care (Disability Care) Pay Rates: 1 July vs 1 December 2026
Home care employees who provide disability care (Schedule E of the award) get an interim pay rise of up to 15% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 December 2026. This comes from the Fair Work Commission's final decision in its gender undervaluation review ([2026] FWCFB 232 and determination PR814259, 11 September 2026). Most pay points rise by 15%; Level 4, pay point 2 rises by 14.96% and Level 5, pay point 2 by 13.31%.
Minimum full-time and part-time rates (38-hour week). Casuals add the 25% loading.
| Home care – disability care | Weekly from 1 July 2026 | Weekly from 1 Dec 2026 | Hourly from 1 Dec 2026 | Casual hourly from 1 Dec 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – Pay Point 1 | $1,036.80 | $1,192.30 | $31.38 | $39.23 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 1 | $1,096.60 | $1,261.10 | $33.19 | $41.49 |
| Level 2 – Pay Point 2 | $1,104.10 | $1,269.70 | $33.41 | $41.76 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 1 | $1,119.10 | $1,287.00 | $33.87 | $42.34 |
| Level 3 – Pay Point 2 | $1,153.70 | $1,326.80 | $34.92 | $43.65 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 1 | $1,221.00 | $1,404.20 | $36.95 | $46.19 |
| Level 4 – Pay Point 2 | $1,245.40 | $1,431.70 | $37.68 | $47.10 |
| Level 5 – Pay Point 1 | $1,309.20 | $1,505.60 | $39.62 | $49.53 |
| Level 5 – Pay Point 2 | $1,360.80 | $1,541.90 | $40.58 | $50.73 |
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman SCHADS Award [MA000100] pay guides for the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 (published 24 June 2026) and 1 December 2026 (published 18 September 2026).
Who does the 1 December rise apply to? Only home care employees doing disability care. SACS employees, including many disability support workers in group homes and SIL, crisis accommodation employees, family day care employees and home care employees doing aged care work, stay on their 1 July 2026 rates until the wider changes from 1 October 2027.
When does it start? From the start of the first full pay period that begins on or after 1 December 2026, which is a Tuesday. If your weekly pay period starts on a Monday, the new rates apply from Monday 7 December 2026. If your fortnight runs from Thursday 26 November, the new rates start with the next fortnight on Thursday 10 December 2026.
For a step-by-step checklist on rosters, payroll and NDIS pricing, read SCHADS 15% pay rise on 1 December 2026: what NDIS providers must do now. If you roster home care and SACS staff side by side, Imploy's SCHADS compliance tools help keep each employee on the right rate.
Why Correct Classification Matters
- Legal / Compliance Risk: Misclassifying employees (wrong level, wrong pay point, failing to pay correct allowances, etc.) can lead to underpayment claims, legal penalties, audits by Fair Work, and union action.
- Financial / Operational Consequences: For providers (especially NDIS providers), budget forecasting depends on accurate wage cost projections; miscalculations can lead to under-funding or financial losses.
- Staff Morale & Retention: Employees who believe they are not being paid fairly (or do not understand how their classification or pay point works) are more likely to leave, decreasing retention and raising recruitment/training costs.
- Reputation & Funding / Contracting Risks: Misclassifications can harm reputation, may breach funding contracts or grant agreements, especially where schemes like NDIS require compliance with correct award pay.
Ensure SCHADS Compliance with Imploy’s Pay Rate Alerts
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- Automatic SCHADS pay rate compliance checks during scheduling
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Imploy automatically checks SCHADS compliance, so you can focus on what matters.
Recent Updates & Changes
- Annual Wage Review 2026: SCHADS Award minimum rates rose by 4.75% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
- Gender undervaluation review finalised (11 September 2026): The Fair Work Commission's decision [2026] FWCFB 232 replaces the current Schedules B, C, E and F with a single integrated classification structure from 1 October 2027.
- Home care disability rise from 1 December 2026: Under determination PR814259, home care employees doing disability care get an interim increase of up to 15% from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026. This was deferred from 1 October 2026.
- NDIS prices: The NDIA has announced that four support items linked to Schedule E work will rise from 1 December 2026, including House Cleaning and Other Household Activities (01_020_0120_1_1), up from $60.10 to $64.59 an hour at the national rate. See the NDIS announcement for all four items.
SCHADS Award PDFs & Resources
Here are authoritative resources and PDFs you should refer to:
- Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide - includes full tables, classifications, allowances, etc.
- SCHADS Award Award Viewer (via Fair Work Commission or Fair Work Ombudsman) - to see current, binding award clauses.
- Recent FWC Decisions / Reviews - such as the Expert Panel's final decision [2026] FWCFB 232 and determination PR814259 (11 September 2026), which set the 1 December 2026 home care disability rise and the new classification structure from 1 October 2027.
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Changes to the SCHADS Award - plain-English summary and the 1 December 2026 pay guide.
Conclusion
If you’re covered by the SCHADS Award, whether as an NDIS provider, HR manager, or care worker, understanding the classifications (Levels 1-8), pay points, and updated 2026 rates is non-negotiable. It ensures fairness, compliance, and helps your organization budget correctly and retain staff.
If you're unsure about your classification, suspect you’re underpaid, or simply want to streamline compliance, Imploy can help. Our tools support correct classification, pay-rate tracking, audit readiness, and ensure you always use the latest SCHADS Award PDFs and rates. Contact us to find out how Imploy can simplify compliance and protect your workforce.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if I’ve been misclassified?
A: Compare your duties to the SCHADS Award PDF classification tables and seek advice from Fair Work if unsure.
Q: What is the Level 4 classification for the SCHADS Award?
A: Level 4 under SCHADS typically refers to roles that require specialised knowledge or qualifications, more autonomy, and sometimes supervisory duties. From 1 July 2026, Level 4.1 in the Social and Community Services stream is $46.70/hr for full-time/part-time, with higher rates for casuals.
Q: What is Level 5 SCHADS?
A: Level 5 is a higher specialist or leadership level under SCHADS. These roles involve significant experience or specialisation (e.g., behaviour support, strategic coordination). The pay is higher than Level 4, depending on stream and pay point. For exact rates, refer to the pay tables in the Fair Work SCHADS Pay Guide.
Q: What is SCHADS Level 3 pay?
A: Level 3 pay varies by pay point. From 1 July 2026: Level 3.1 $40.49/hr, Level 3.2 $41.66/hr, Level 3.3 $42.55/hr and Level 3.4 $43.42/hr for full-time and part-time roles in the Social & Community Services stream. Casuals add the 25% loading. Home care disability Level 3 rates are different: from 1 December 2026, Level 3.1 is $33.87/hr.
Q: What are the different classifications of workers under the SCHADS Award?
A: Workers are classified by stream (Social & Community, Home Care, Crisis Accommodation, Family Day Care), by level (1-8), by pay point within each level, by employment type (full-time, part-time, casual), and by qualification, experience, duties/responsibilities. Special duties or higher duties may lead to working at a higher classification temporarily.
Q: Is there a SCHADS pay rise on 1 December 2026?
A: Yes, but only for home care employees who provide disability care. They get up to 15% from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 December 2026. Other SCHADS employees keep their 1 July 2026 rates until the new classification structure starts from 1 October 2027.
