NDIS Pay Rates 2026: Updated Support Worker Rates & Price Guide
If you employ or work as an NDIS support worker in Australia, understanding your pay obligations under the SCHADS Award is not optional — it is a legal requirement. This guide covers every classification level, casual loading, weekend penalty rates, and how the NDIS Price Guide intersects with award obligations in 2026.
For casual loading rates across all industries (not just NDIS), see our casual pay rates guide.
Looking for a casual NDIS support worker shift rather than hiring one? See our guide to casual NDIS support worker jobs.
What Is the SCHADS Award?
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award) is a Modern Award under the Fair Work Act 2009. It covers employees working in social and community services, crisis accommodation, home care and disability support — including all NDIS-funded support workers.
The SCHADS Award is administered by the Fair Work Commission and sets the legally enforceable floor for wages and conditions. Employers cannot pay below SCHADS Award minimums regardless of what a worker agrees to in a contract. Underpaying award rates exposes employers to significant back-pay liability and civil penalties.
Workers covered include: disability support workers, personal care workers, community access support workers, community development workers, home care workers, and social workers employed by NDIS registered providers.
SCHADS Award Pay Rates by Level — 2026
The SCHADS Award classifies support workers into five pay levels based on qualifications, skills and the complexity of work performed. The rates below reflect the 2026 National Minimum Wage decision.
| Classification | Base Rate (hr) | Casual Rate (hr) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $26.81 | $33.51 |
| Level 2 | $27.88 | $34.85 |
| Level 3 | $30.44 | $38.05 |
| Level 4 | $33.94 | $42.43 |
| Level 5 | $37.49 | $46.86 |
Casual rate = base rate × 1.25 (25% casual loading). Source: Fair Work Commission, SCHADS Award 2026.
SCHADS Award Level Classification Guide
Correctly classifying a support worker under the SCHADS Award requires assessing their qualifications and the nature of their work:
- Level 1Entry-level workers without formal qualifications performing basic support tasks under direct supervision. New entrants to the sector.
- Level 2Workers with a Certificate III in Individual Support (or equivalent), performing moderate complexity tasks. Most casual community access workers sit here.
- Level 3Certificate IV qualified workers or those with demonstrated specialist skills. Includes complex support coordination and behaviour support assistance.
- Level 4Advanced practitioners, team leaders, workers performing highly complex support. May include Diploma-level qualified staff.
- Level 5Senior practitioners and specialists with advanced qualifications and significant sector experience, including some allied health assistants.
When in doubt, contact the Fair Work Commission or your industry association. Misclassification is one of the most common — and costly — compliance errors for NDIS providers.
Weekend and Public Holiday Penalty Rates
The SCHADS Award mandates the following penalty rates, applied to the worker's ordinary time rate (including casual loading for casual workers):
Example calculation: A casual Level 2 worker doing a Sunday shift = $27.88 × 1.25 (casual loading) × 1.75 (Sunday penalty) = $60.99/hr.
NDIS Price Guide and Award Compliance (Effective 1 July 2026)
The NDIS Price Guide effective 1 July 2026 sets the maximum hourly rates that registered providers can charge the NDIA for support services. These limits are designed to cover SCHADS Award wages, superannuation, casual loading, leave entitlements and reasonable overhead.
The NDIS Price Guide is a maximum billing rate, not a pay rate guide. Providers must pay workers at least the SCHADS Award minimum (Level 1: $26.81/hr base, $33.51/hr casual as of July 2025) regardless of what they bill the NDIA. The 2026 Price Guide increased support worker rates to align with the Fair Work Commission's national minimum wage decision.
2026 registration update: The NDIS Commission updated support worker registration requirements in 2026. All workers delivering higher-risk supports must hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check. Providers should verify their worker compliance records are up to date against the updated practice standards.
Payday Super from 1 July 2026: under new ATO rules, NDIS providers and employers must now pay superannuation guarantee contributions at the same time as wages, with funds required to reach a worker's super account within 7 business days of payday — replacing the old system where employers could pay super up to 28 days after each quarter ended. Missing the new 7-day window triggers the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (source: Fair Work Ombudsman, ATO).
Super rate now 12%: the compulsory Superannuation Guarantee rate reached its legislated ceiling of 12% on 1 July 2026, up from 11.5% the year before — the final step in the government's phased increase schedule. Providers and employers budgeting NDIS shift costs should factor this 12% on top of SCHADS Award wages, on the new Payday Super timetable above (source: Australian Taxation Office).
Check current NDIS Price Guide rates at ndis.gov.au under the Provider section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NDIS pay rates for support workers in 2026?
Under the SCHADS Award 2026, NDIS support workers earn between $24.02 and $32.15 per hour depending on classification level. Casual workers receive an additional 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. Weekend and public holiday rates are higher — Saturday rates are 150% and Sunday rates are 200% of the ordinary rate.
What award covers NDIS support workers in Australia?
NDIS support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award). This award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and working conditions for all support workers in Australia.
How much does an NDIS support worker earn per hour casually?
A casual NDIS support worker at SCHADS Level 2 earns approximately $30.03–$34.52 per hour including the 25% casual loading (based on 2026 rates). Rates vary by classification, time of day, and day of the week. Evening and weekend work attracts higher penalty rates.
Can I hire an NDIS support worker directly without going through an agency?
Yes. If you are self-managed or plan-managed under the NDIS, you can hire support workers directly without a registered agency. You will need to ensure the worker holds a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check and arrange your own payroll or use a platform like QuickHire that connects you with pre-screened workers.
What is casual loading for NDIS workers?
Casual loading under the SCHADS Award is 25% on top of the base hourly rate. It compensates casual workers for the absence of paid annual leave, personal leave and other permanent employee entitlements. For example, an NDIS Level 2 worker earns $27.88/hr base but $34.85/hr casual.
What are NDIS weekend penalty rates?
Under the SCHADS Award, Saturday shifts attract 150% of the ordinary time rate, Sunday shifts attract 175%, and public holiday shifts attract 250%. These penalties apply to both full-time and casual workers (casual loading is applied first, then penalty rates).
How do I calculate a support worker's pay?
Start with the SCHADS Award classification level base rate. For casual workers, multiply by 1.25. For weekend or public holiday work, multiply the applicable rate by the penalty rate percentage. Example: Level 2 casual Sunday = $27.88 × 1.25 × 1.75 = $60.99/hr.
About the Author
The QuickHire AU Editorial Team covers Australian employment law, casual hiring practices, and workforce trends. QuickHire is Australia's casual hiring platform connecting employers with workers across hospitality, NDIS, construction, and trades.
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