NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates & SCHADS Award 2026: $30-$90/Hr

We work with NDIS support workers daily, and the most common question is simple: “What will I actually earn?” The answer depends on three things: your level, what days you work, and whether you’re employed or independent.

Looking for current NDIS support worker rates? Find your level below.

Quick Rate Lookup

Here’s what support workers earn in 2026 under the SCHADS Award. These are minimum wages - your employer may pay more.

Level	Weekday	Saturday	Sunday	Public Holiday
Level 1	$30.02/hr	$45.03/hr	$60.04/hr	$75.05/hr
Level 2	$34.58/hr	$51.87/hr	$69.16/hr	$86.45/hr
Level 3	$38.65/hr	$57.98/hr	$77.30/hr	$96.63/hr
Level 4	$45.10/hr	$67.65/hr	$90.20/hr	$112.75/hr

Last updated: March 13, 2026 (reflects July 2025 3.5% SCHADS increase)

What participants pay vs what workers earn: The NDIS price limit for weekday support is $70.23/hr. Workers receive $30-$45/hr. The difference covers superannuation (11.5%), workers comp insurance, leave entitlements, and provider admin costs.

SCHADS Award Rates by Level

Your classification level determines your base rate. Here’s the part that surprises most people: your level is about responsibility and complexity, not just qualifications.

What each level means

Level 1 - Entry Support Worker

Base rate: $30.02/hr (casual: $37.53/hr with 25% loading)
Role: Basic personal care and daily living support
Requirements: No formal qualifications needed
Works under direct supervision

Level 2 - Standard Support Worker

Base rate: $34.58/hr (casual: $43.23/hr)
Role: Independent support for participants with routine needs
Requirements: Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent experience
Most common level for support workers

Level 3 - Experienced Support Worker

Base rate: $38.65/hr (casual: $48.31/hr)
Role: Complex care, specialized support, behavior management
Requirements: Certificate IV or significant specialized experience
Often works with high-needs participants

Level 4 - Senior/Team Leader

Base rate: $45.10/hr (casual: $56.38/hr)
Role: Team coordination, rostering, mentoring junior workers
Requirements: Diploma level or senior coordinator role
Leadership and supervision responsibilities

Sarah, a Level 2 worker in Brisbane, sums it up well: “I started on $30/hr as Level 1, but after getting my Cert III and 12 months experience, I moved to Level 2 at $34.58. Now I earn $51.87 on Saturdays - that’s when I do most of my shifts.”

Casual vs permanent employment

Your employment type significantly impacts take-home pay:

Permanent employees receive:

Base rate ($30-$45/hr)
Paid annual leave (4 weeks/year)
Paid sick/personal leave (10 days/year)
Long service leave (after 7-10 years)
Employer pays superannuation (11.5% on top of wages)

Casual employees receive:

Base rate plus 25% casual loading
No leave entitlements
Greater flexibility to choose shifts
Can work for multiple employers

Example comparison (Level 2, 38 hours/week):

Permanent: $34.58/hr = $68,366/year (plus 4 weeks paid leave)
Casual: $43.23/hr = $85,458/year (no paid leave)

The casual loading compensates for lack of leave. Over a year, casual workers need to work fewer weeks to match permanent earnings once you factor in paid leave.

Real-World Earnings

Beyond hourly rates, what do support workers actually earn? It depends heavily on your shift mix.

Annual salary estimates (full-time, 38 hours/week)

Weekday shifts only:

Level 1: $59,400
Level 2: $68,400
Level 3: $76,400
Level 4: $89,200

Typical shift mix (60% weekdays, 30% Saturdays, 10% Sundays):

Level 1: $67,000 - $72,000
Level 2: $77,000 - $84,000
Level 3: $86,000 - $94,000
Level 4: $100,000 - $110,000

High weekend mix (40% weekdays, 40% Saturdays, 20% Sundays):

Level 1: $77,000 - $86,000
Level 2: $89,000 - $99,000
Level 3: $99,000 - $111,000
Level 4: $116,000 - $130,000

These figures assume no overtime. Including public holidays, night shifts, and overtime can push earnings even higher.

Part-time and casual earnings

Many support workers prefer part-time or casual work for flexibility:

Part-time (25 hours/week, Level 2, typical shift mix):

Annual gross: $50,000 - $55,000
Weekly take-home: ~$800 - $900 (after tax)

Casual (20 hours/week average, Level 2, weekend focus):

Hourly with loading: $43.23 base, $64.84 Saturday, $86.45 Sunday
Annual gross: $48,000 - $55,000
Greater variability based on available shifts

Weekend Penalty Rates

Weekend shifts are where earnings really jump. The SCHADS Award mandates penalty rates to compensate for working unsociable hours.

Saturday rates (1.5x base)

Every hour you work on Saturday pays time-and-a-half:

Level 1: $45.03/hr
Level 2: $51.87/hr
Level 3: $57.98/hr
Level 4: $67.65/hr

Example: An 8-hour Saturday shift at Level 2 earns $414.96 (vs $276.64 on a weekday).

Sunday rates (2x base)

Sunday shifts pay double time:

Level 1: $60.04/hr
Level 2: $69.16/hr
Level 3: $77.30/hr
Level 4: $90.20/hr

Example: An 8-hour Sunday shift at Level 2 earns $553.28 - exactly double your weekday earnings.

Saturday vs Sunday: Sunday shifts pay 33% more than Saturday. If you have the choice, Sundays are significantly more lucrative.

Public Holiday Rates

Public holidays pay 2.5x your base rate - the highest regular penalty rate under the award.

Level	Base Rate	Public Holiday (2.5x)	8-Hour Shift
Level 1	$30.02	$75.05/hr	$600.40
Level 2	$34.58	$86.45/hr	$691.60
Level 3	$38.65	$96.63/hr	$773.04
Level 4	$45.10	$112.75/hr	$902.00

Public holidays include: New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Queen’s Birthday (varies by state), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Some states have additional holidays.

Night Shift Rates

Night shifts (10pm to 6am) attract a 15% loading on top of your base rate.

Level	Base Rate	Night Shift (+15%)
Level 1	$30.02	$34.52/hr
Level 2	$34.58	$39.77/hr
Level 3	$38.65	$44.45/hr
Level 4	$45.10	$51.87/hr

Weekend night shifts get combined loadings: If you work Sunday night (10pm onwards), you get Sunday penalty (2x) plus night loading (+15%):

Level 2 Sunday night: $79.53/hr
Level 2 Saturday night: $59.65/hr

Sleepover shifts: If you’re rostered for an overnight sleepover (not active care), you receive a flat allowance of $60.02 per night, plus payment for any active support provided. The NDIS price limit for sleepovers is $298.48 per night, so providers can afford to pay the award rate plus additional compensation.

Active overnight support: When you’re required to provide active care throughout the night (not just sleeping on-site), you’re paid your normal hourly rate plus the 15% night loading. This is different from sleepovers where you’re just on-call.

Additional Allowances and Payments

Beyond base rates and penalties, support workers may receive various allowances:

Travel and vehicle allowances

Kilometre allowance: $0.99/km when using your personal vehicle for work-related travel (travelling between participant homes, not commuting to your first shift).

Travel time: Providers can claim NDIS travel time (capped at 30 minutes metro, 60 minutes regional). Many employers pay workers for this travel time, though it’s not always at the full hourly rate - check your employment agreement.

Qualification and responsibility allowances

First Aid allowance: $20.46 per week if you’re required to hold and maintain a current first aid certificate.

Uniform allowance: $1.23 per shift if you’re required to wear and maintain a specific uniform.

On-call allowances:

Weekday on-call: $24.50 per day
Weekend/public holiday on-call: $48.51 per day
These apply when you’re required to be available but not actively working

Meal allowance: $18.49 if you’re required to work through your meal break.

Higher duties and team leadership

If you’re temporarily performing duties above your classification level (for example, a Level 2 worker covering a Level 3 role):

You’re entitled to be paid at the higher classification rate
This applies for any period over 2 hours
Common when senior staff are on leave

SCHADS Award rates 2026: what workers receive

Every NDIS support worker employed by a provider is paid under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS, MA000100). These rates apply nationally and have been current since the 1 July 2025 Annual Wage Review.

SCHADS permanent rates, Social and Community Services (Disability) stream, effective 1 July 2025 (current at April 2026):

Level / Pay point	Permanent $/hr	Casual $/hr (+25%)
Level 1, pay point 1	$33.41	$41.76
Level 2.1	$34.58	$43.23
Level 2.2	$35.67	$44.59
Level 2.3	$36.75	$45.94
Level 2.4	$37.73	$47.16
Level 3.1	$38.61	$48.26
Level 3.2	$39.54	$49.43
Level 3.3	$40.42	$50.53
Level 3.4	$41.14	$51.43

Rates include the Equal Remuneration Order uplift applied to Social and Community Services classifications. Full Fair Work SCHADS pay guide.

Changes since 1 July 2025:

All SCHADS rates rose 3.5% following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2025. Level 2.1 went from $33.41 to $34.58 per hour.
Superannuation guarantee rose to 12% from 1 July 2025, adding to the employer cost above the base rate but not the worker’s take-home.
November 2025 NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2025-26 v1.1 took effect. Core support price caps were held flat despite the wage increase, which is the first time in years. This widened the gap between the NDIS cap and what a worker receives.

Changes coming 1 July 2026:

The Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review 2026 will set the standard percentage increase (historically 2.5-4%).
An additional gender-undervaluation interim increase is scheduled for Schedule E (home care / disability home-care classifications) under the FWC’s gender-pay review. Substantive Schedule B phased changes follow from 1 July 2027.
NDIA’s Annual Pricing Review 2025-26 will decide whether NDIS price caps track the wage rise. Expect modest (0-3%) cap adjustments.

Rates apply nationally. A Level 2.1 worker in Queensland, Victoria, NSW or any other state earns the same $34.58/hr base. Remote and very-remote locations attract separate loadings (see the Remote and Regional Loadings section below).

Specialized Support and Premium Rates

While the SCHADS Award sets base minimums, workers with specialized skills often command higher rates. Providers competing for qualified staff may pay above award rates, particularly for:

High-demand specializations

Complex behavior support: Workers qualified in positive behavior support, restrictive practices, or working with participants with challenging behaviors typically earn 15-25% above base rates. A Level 3 behavior specialist might earn $44-48/hr instead of the $38.65 minimum.

Medical and clinical support: Support workers with nursing backgrounds, PEG feeding experience, ventilator management, or seizure management skills are in short supply. Rates for complex health support often reach 20-30% above award minimums.

Specialized disability experience: Workers experienced with specific conditions (autism, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury) may negotiate higher rates, especially in areas with worker shortages.

Bilingual support workers: If you speak a community language (Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Korean, Italian, Greek), you may be eligible for a bilingual allowance or premium rates, particularly in diverse metro areas.

Career progression and rate increases

Here’s how typical progression works:

Year 1: Start as Level 1 ($30.02/hr) while completing Certificate III Year 2: Move to Level 2 ($34.58/hr) after gaining Certificate III and demonstrating competence Year 3-5: Progress within Level 2 based on experience and performance reviews. Some employers have pay scales with incremental increases. Year 5+: Move to Level 3 ($38.65/hr) by completing Certificate IV or developing specialized skills Year 7+: Progress to Level 4 ($45.10/hr) by taking on coordination, team leadership, or supervisory responsibilities

Many employers conduct annual pay reviews. If you’re performing above your classification level, it’s worth discussing reclassification with your manager.

Remote and Regional Loadings

Workers in remote and very remote areas receive significant loadings to compensate for isolation and limited services:

Remote areas (outer regional): 20-30% loading Remote areas: 40% loading above standard rates
Very remote areas: 50% loading above standard rates

Example: A Level 2 worker in a very remote community:

Base rate: $34.58
With 50% remote loading: $51.87/hr (weekday)
Saturday with remote loading: $77.81/hr
Sunday with remote loading: $103.74/hr

Remote positions often include additional benefits:

Accommodation provided or subsidized
Travel allowances for fly-in-fly-out arrangements
Meals provided
Higher qualification and experience requirements

Price Guide vs Award Pay

There are two rate systems that confuse everyone at first:

NDIS Price Guide ($70.23/hr weekday)
This is what participants pay. It’s the maximum providers can charge for standard support.

SCHADS Award ($30-$45/hr weekday)
This is what workers must be paid at minimum. It’s enforced by Fair Work.

The ~$25-40/hr gap covers:

Superannuation (11.5% on top of wages)
Workers compensation insurance
Public liability insurance
Annual leave, sick leave, long service leave (for permanent staff)
Payroll tax and admin costs
Provider profit margin

Independent contractors can charge closer to the full NDIS rate ($52-70/hr) but you cover your own super, insurance, tax, and business costs.

Independent contractor vs employed: what you actually keep

The hourly rate difference looks huge on paper, but after expenses, the gap narrows:

Employed Level 2 worker (weekday):

Gross: $34.58/hr
Employer pays super: Included
Employer pays workers comp, insurance: Included
Net hourly value: ~$34.58 plus super and leave

Independent contractor (weekday):

Charge to participant: $65/hr
Minus super (11.5%): -$7.48
Minus insurance (~$2,000/year ÷ 1,000 hours): -$2
Minus accounting/tax: -$1-2
Minus platform fees (if applicable): -$3-6
Net hourly value: ~$51-53

The independent contractor earns roughly 50% more per hour worked, but has no paid leave, no job security, and must handle all business admin. For many workers, the stability and simplicity of employment is worth the lower hourly rate.

When independent contracting makes sense:

You’re experienced (Level 3+) and can command premium rates
You prefer flexibility and choosing your own hours
You’re comfortable with variable income
You have specialized skills in high demand
You can maintain a full client schedule

When employment makes sense:

You value stability and guaranteed hours
You prefer not to handle business administration
You want paid leave and sick days
You’re building experience and qualifications
You prefer a regular roster and paycheck

For platform comparisons and independent work rates, see our Mable support worker guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do NDIS support workers earn per hour?

Support workers earn $30-$45/hr on weekdays depending on their level under the SCHADS Award. Weekend rates are higher: $45-$68/hr Saturday, $60-$90/hr Sunday. These are minimum wages - what you actually earn depends on your employer and shift mix.

What is the difference between NDIS price limits and worker pay?

The NDIS price limit ($70.23/hr weekday) is the maximum providers can charge. Workers receive SCHADS Award minimums ($30-$45/hr). The gap covers super, insurance, leave, and provider overheads.

Do support workers get paid more on weekends?

Yes. Saturday shifts pay 1.5x your base rate, Sunday shifts pay 2x. For example, a Level 2 worker earning $34.58/hr gets $51.87 on Saturday and $69.16 on Sunday.

What determines your support worker level?

Your level depends on qualifications and experience. Level 1 is entry-level with no quals, Level 2 requires Certificate III, Level 3 needs Certificate IV or extensive experience, Level 4 is for team leaders with Diploma level quals.

How much do support workers earn on public holidays?

Public holiday shifts pay 2.5x your base rate. A Level 2 worker earning $34.58/hr gets $86.45/hr on public holidays. An 8-hour public holiday shift earns $691 compared to $277 on a weekday.

What’s the annual salary for a full-time support worker?

Full-time (38 hours/week) base salaries range from $59,400 (Level 1) to $89,200 (Level 4). With typical penalty rates (20% weekend/evening shifts), annual earnings range from $65,000 to $108,000.

How much do independent support workers charge?

Independent contractors typically charge $52-70/hr for weekday shifts, closer to the NDIS price limit. You keep the full amount but must cover your own insurance ($1,500-3,000/year), super (11.5%), and tax obligations. After business expenses, independent workers net roughly 50% more per hour than employed workers, but without leave entitlements or guaranteed hours.

Are NDIS rates the same in all states?

Yes. Both the NDIS price limits and SCHADS Award minimum wages are national. A Level 2 support worker in Brisbane earns the same base rate ($34.58/hr) as one in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, or Adelaide. However, some remote and very remote areas attract additional regional loadings of 40-50% above standard rates.

Do I get paid for travel between clients?

It depends on your employer. The NDIS allows providers to claim travel time (capped at 30 minutes in metro areas, 60 minutes regional), but not all employers pass this payment to workers. Check your employment agreement. You should receive $0.99/km if using your personal vehicle for work travel.

What’s the difference between active overnight and sleepover shifts?

Active overnight support means you’re awake and providing care throughout the night - you’re paid your normal hourly rate plus 15% night loading. Sleepover shifts mean you’re sleeping on-site and on-call - you receive a flat $60.02 allowance for the night plus payment for any active support you provide if called upon.

Connect with Quality Providers

Understanding NDIS pricing helps you make informed decisions about your work or support. Whether you’re a support worker comparing offers or a participant budgeting your plan, knowing the rates is essential.

Browse NDIS providers through MD Home Care who prioritize transparent pricing and fair worker pay.

Rates reflect NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2025-26 v1.1 (November 2025) and SCHADS Award minimums. For complete NDIS pricing, see our NDIS Price Guide tool.

Looking for support workers? Find support workers near you to compare NDIS providers in your suburb. You can also browse personal care providers or find a support coordinator to help manage your plan.