SCHADS Level 1 Pay Rates 2026

Who is on SCHADS Level 1

Level 1 is where the social and community services stream starts. The award describes an employee who “works under close direction and undertakes routine activities which require the practical application of basic skills and techniques”, and says this “may include the initial recruit who may have limited relevant experience” (Schedule B.1.1).

Work is closely monitored, with instruction and help readily available, and freedom to act is limited by standards and procedures. Supervising other staff or volunteers is not part of the role, and employers are expected to offer substantial training at this level.

Typical work at this level

• Routine clerical and support work: data entry, reception and telephone duties, filing
• Contact with residents, including personal care or general domestic duties under direct or routine supervision, as part of delivering social, community or disability services (B.1.2(g))
• The full range of domestic duties, including cleaning and food service, and helping residents with personal care under general supervision (B.1.2(h)), which is paid at pay point 2 at least

Qualifications and experience

• No qualification is required. The level needs basic numeracy and written and verbal communication skills (B.1.3).
• Work is done under direct supervision, with no scope for interpretation.

Moving up a pay point

An employee mainly doing resident contact and personal care (B.1.2(g)) moves to pay point 2 after 12 months’ industry experience if full-time, or 1,976 hours if part-time. Industry experience means 12 months of relevant experience gained over the previous 3 years (B.1.3(d)).

After each 12 months’ continuous employment, an employee is eligible to move up one pay point within their level if they have shown competency and satisfactory performance over at least 12 months at that pay point and either used new or enhanced skills the employer required, or been rated satisfactory under the employer’s performance appraisal scheme (cl 13.3(a)).

Moving to a higher level happens only by promotion or reclassification (cl 13.3(b)), and employers must tell employees their classification in writing when they start and whenever it changes (cl 13.2).

Weekend, shift and overtime rates

Full-time and part-time employees get 150% on Saturday, 200% on Sunday and 250% on public holidays; casuals get 175%, 225% and 275%, which already include the 25% loading. Afternoon shifts are paid at 112.5% and night shifts at 115% (137.5% and 140% for casuals), and weekend and public holiday rates replace them rather than adding to them. Overtime from Monday to Saturday is 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% after (175% and 225% for casuals); full-time social and community services work that is not disability services gets 150% for the first 3 hours.

The sleepover allowance is $62.87 a night, and the broken shift allowance is $21.81 for one unpaid break or $28.87 for two. Price a whole shift in the SCHADS Pay Rate Calculator, see every level side by side in SCHADS Award pay rates 2026, or read the SCHADS Award 2026 guide.

Every SCHADS level

Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3 · Level 4 · Level 5 · Level 6 · Level 7 · Level 8 · Home care: disability · Home care: aged care