NDIS Pay Rate Calculator 2026

NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates 2026

NDIS support worker pay rates are set annually by the NDIA based on the SCHADS Award and fair work standards. If you are researching support worker NDIS pay rates, the calculator above uses the official 2025-26 NDIS Price Guide to calculate maximum claimable hourly rates for disability support workers.

Support worker pay rates vary based on day type, time, and complexity of support. Standard assistance with self care rates start at $70.23 per hour for weekdays, with penalty rates applying for weekends and public holidays.

NDIS Sunday Support Worker Rate

The NDIS Sunday support worker rate is $126.42 per hour for standard assistance with self care (double the weekday base rate). This applies to all shifts on Sundays, whether daytime (6am to 8pm) or evening/night (8pm to 6am).

Sunday rates reflect the 200% penalty rate under the SCHADS Award. Support workers receive significantly higher pay on Sundays compared to weekdays ($70.23) or Saturdays ($98.32). For high-intensity support, the Sunday rate increases to $139.32 per hour.

Support Worker Pay Rates NDIS: Complete Breakdown

Support worker pay rates under the NDIS follow a tiered structure based on support complexity and timing:

• Standard Support: $70.23/hr (weekday), $98.32/hr (Saturday), $126.42/hr (Sunday), $154.50/hr (public holidays)
• High-Intensity Support: $77.40/hr (weekday), $108.36/hr (Saturday), $139.32/hr (Sunday), $170.28/hr (public holidays)
• Complex Needs: $82.57/hr (weekday), $115.60/hr (Saturday), $148.62/hr (Sunday), $181.65/hr (public holidays)
• Evening Loading: Additional 10% applies for shifts between 8pm and 6am on weekdays

These rates represent the maximum NDIS price limits. Actual worker wages depend on employer agreements and may be lower. The SCHADS Award sets minimum hourly rates around $30 to $35 per hour, with the difference covering provider costs including insurance, training, administration, and leave entitlements.

How NDIS Worker Pay Rates Are Calculated

NDIS worker pay rates follow a transparent formula based on the SCHADS (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services) Award. The NDIA reviews rates annually and publishes updated price limits each July. For 2025-26, rates increased by 4.1% to reflect cost-of-living adjustments and award wage increases.

When calculating pay for shifts, providers must apply the correct rate based on three factors: the day of the week (weekday/Saturday/Sunday/public holiday), the time of day (daytime or evening/night), and the level of support complexity (standard/high-intensity/complex). Use the calculator above to instantly calculate total shift costs.

NDIS Price Limits vs Actual Worker Pay

The NDIS price limit is the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan, not what the support worker takes home. For example, the weekday standard rate of $70.23/hr covers not just wages but also superannuation, workers compensation insurance, professional development, administrative costs, and paid leave entitlements.

Under the SCHADS Award, support worker base rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour depending on classification level and experience. Weekend and public holiday penalty rates apply on top of the base rate, which is why NDIS price limits are correspondingly higher for those shifts.