Award Rates · Penalty Rates · 2026

SCHADS Award Rates 2026 — Pay & Penalty Rates

1 Jul 2026 Updated 1 Jul 2026 By Fitz HR 6 min read Reviewed against FWO Pay Guide MA000100

The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award MA000100 covers a huge, NDIS-heavy workforce across several streams — and its pay-point structure, sleepovers and broken shifts make it one of the trickiest awards to run. This guide sets out the 2026 rates.

Under the SCHADS Award MA000100 (2026), a Social & Community Services Level 1 pay point 1 employee earns $27.55/hr full-time. Saturday is 150% (175% casual), Sunday 200% (225% casual) and public holidays 250% (275% casual). Afternoon shifts attract 12.5% and night shifts 15%. Sleepovers, broken shifts and on-call are paid as separate allowances on top.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000100. Next review 2027-07-01.

Quick Reference — SCHADS 2026

SACS Level 1 (pp1): $27.55/hr full-time
Saturday: 150% (FT/PT) · 175% (casual)
Sunday: 200% (FT/PT) · 225% (casual)
Public holiday: 250% (FT/PT) · 275% (casual)
Afternoon shift: +12.5% · Night shift: +15%
Sleepover / broken shift: paid as separate allowances

Rates by Stream & Level

SCHADS runs across streams — social & community services, home care, family day care and crisis accommodation — each with its own levels and pay points. Getting the stream and pay point right is essential.

Classification (full-time)HourlyWeekly (38h)
Social and community services - Level 1 - pay point 1 (social community services)$27.55$1046.90
Social and community services - Level 1 - pay point 2 (social community services)$28.44$1080.60
Social and community services - Level 1 - pay point 3 (social community services)$29.45$1119.10
Social and community services - Level 2 - pay point 1 (social community services)$36.22$1376.49
Social and community services - Level 2 - pay point 2 (social community services)$37.36$1419.79
Social and community services - Level 2 - pay point 3 (social community services)$38.50$1462.96
Social and community services - Level 2 - pay point 4 (social community services)$39.53$1501.95
Social and community services - Level 3 - pay point 1 (social community services)$40.49$1538.59
Social and community services - Level 3 - pay point 2 (social community services)$41.66$1582.94
Social and community services - Level 3 - pay point 3 (social community services)$42.55$1616.71
Social and community services - Level 3 - pay point 4 (social community services)$43.42$1649.97
Social and community services - Level 4 - pay point 1 (social community services)$46.70$1774.74

Showing 12 of 76 full-time classifications. Ask Fitz for any classification, stream or employment type.

Penalty Rates — Weekends & Public Holidays

Penalties are a percentage of the minimum hourly rate; casual percentages already include the 25% loading:

When workedFull-time / part-timeCasual (all-inclusive)
Saturday150%175%
Sunday200%225%
Public holiday250%275%

Sleepovers, Broken Shifts & Shift Loadings

Afternoon shifts attract 12.5% and night shifts 15%. A sleepover attracts an allowance of $62.87 per night on top of any active work, and a broken shift attracts $21.81 (one unpaid break) or $28.87 (two). See our sleepover guide and broken shift guide.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

Using the wrong stream or pay point. SACS, home care and other streams have different rates — the pay point matters.
Absorbing sleepovers into the hourly rate. A sleepover is a separate $62.87 allowance on top of any active work.
Missing the broken-shift allowance. A broken shift attracts $21.81 or $28.87 depending on the number of unpaid breaks.
Applying the wrong minimum engagement. SACS is 3 hours; other streams and casuals can be 2 — see our rostering notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SCHADS Level 1 rate in 2026?
A Social & Community Services Level 1 pay point 1 employee earns $27.55/hr full-time under MA000100. Rates rise by pay point and level across each stream.
What are the SCHADS weekend penalty rates?
Saturday 150% (175% casual), Sunday 200% (225% casual) and public holidays 250% (275% casual). Casual percentages already include the 25% loading.
How much is the SCHADS sleepover allowance?
$62.87 per night, on top of pay for any active work performed. See our sleepover allowance guide.
What is the SCHADS afternoon shift loading?
12.5% for afternoon shifts and 15% for night shifts under MA000100, where the higher of a penalty or shift loading applies for the same hours (not both).
How do I calculate a SCHADS rate?
Fitz HR calculates the exact MA000100 rate by stream, level, pay point, day and shift. See the SCHADS pay rates or ask Fitz free.

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SCHADS Award Rates 2026 — Pay & Penalty Rates — FAQ

What is the SCHADS Level 1 rate in 2026? A Social & Community Services Level 1 pay point 1 employee earns $27.55/hr full-time under MA000100. Rates rise by pay point and level across each stream.

What are the SCHADS weekend penalty rates? Saturday 150% (175% casual), Sunday 200% (225% casual) and public holidays 250% (275% casual). Casual percentages already include the 25% loading.

How much is the SCHADS sleepover allowance? $62.87 per night, on top of pay for any active work performed. See our sleepover allowance guide.

What is the SCHADS afternoon shift loading? 12.5% for afternoon shifts and 15% for night shifts under MA000100, where the higher of a penalty or shift loading applies for the same hours (not both).

How do I calculate a SCHADS rate? Fitz HR calculates the exact MA000100 rate by stream, level, pay point, day and shift. See the SCHADS pay rates or ask Fitz free.