SCHADS Pay Rate Calculator
Work out the loaded hourly rate and shift cost for support workers under the SCHADS Award. Enter your base rate, pick the day, and see the penalty-adjusted pay instantly.
Your shift
Enter your classification’s base rate (e.g. SCHADS SACS Level 2). Find it on the Fair Work pay guide.
Loaded hourly rate
$34.00
Weekday (ordinary) · Permanent · 100% of base
Indicative only. Covers SACS-stream weekend / public-holiday penalties and casual loading. It does not include overtime, broken-shift or other allowances, sleepovers, or afternoon/night shiftwork penalties. Always confirm against the current SCHADS Award (MA000100) and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
How SCHADS penalty rates work
Under the SCHADS Award, penalty rates are expressed as a percentage of an employee’s base hourly rate. The figures below are for Social and Community Services (SACS) stream employees — the classification most NDIS support workers fall under. Casual employees add a 25% casual loading on top of the permanent rate.
| When | Permanent | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary hours (Mon–Fri) | 100% | 125% |
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 200% | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
Multipliers reflect the SACS stream of the SCHADS Award (MA000100) and the Fair Work pay-guide structure. Base rates change on 1 July each year — always confirm current figures with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
What this calculator doesn’t include
SCHADS is one of Australia’s more complex awards. A quick calculator is great for a single shift, but a real pay run has to handle a lot more — and getting any of it wrong risks underpaying staff or eroding your margin:
- Overtime (first 2 hours vs after)
- Broken-shift and other allowances
- Sleepovers and 24-hour care
- Afternoon and night shiftwork penalties
- Higher-duties and qualification allowances
- Per-employee classification and progression
Rostery’s payroll engine interprets the full SCHADS Award automatically — applying the right penalties, allowances and overtime to every rostered shift, then flowing straight through to NDIS invoicing. No spreadsheets, no manual rate lookups. Read the SCHADS Award 2026–27 pay rate guide for the full breakdown.
Stop calculating SCHADS by hand
Let Rostery interpret the award for every shift, automatically. Start a 14-day free trial — no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SCHADS Award?
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100) sets the minimum pay rates and conditions for most NDIS support workers in Australia, including penalty rates, allowances and overtime.
How are SCHADS penalty rates calculated?
Penalty rates are a percentage of the employee’s base hourly rate. For Social and Community Services employees, Saturday is 150%, Sunday is 200% and public holidays are 250%. Casual employees add a 25% casual loading on top.
Does this calculator include overtime and allowances?
No. This tool covers weekend, public-holiday and casual loaded rates only. It does not include overtime, broken-shift or other allowances, sleepovers, or afternoon/night shiftwork penalties. Always confirm against the current SCHADS Award and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
How do I avoid SCHADS payroll mistakes?
Manual calculation across penalties, allowances, broken shifts and overtime is where errors creep in. A payroll engine that interprets the full award automatically — like Rostery — applies the right rate to every shift and protects you at audit.
Related reading: Best NDIS software 2026 · NDIS software pricing guide