As of July 1st 2025, the updated SCHADS Award Pay Rates 2025 are now in effect, bringing important changes for employers and employees in Australia’s care and community sectors. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award) sets minimum wages and conditions for thousands of workers. In this post, we’ll explain what the SCHADS Award covers, outline the latest pay rate increases for 2025 (and how they compare to SCHADS Award pay rates 2024), and answer some frequently asked questions.
What are the classifications and employment levels under the SCHADS Award?
Under the SCHADS Award, the classifications and employment levels are determined based on the qualifications, experience, and key employment duties of employees. The minimum wage rate is classified into four different groups:
- Social and Community Services Employees
- Crisis Accommodation Employees
- Family Day Care Employees
- Home Care Employees
What are the SCHADS Award pay rates 2025?
Social and Community Services
| SCHADS Award classification | Minimum weekly wage full time & part time | Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate |
| Level 1.1 | $999.40 | $26.30 | $32.88 |
| Level 1.2 | $1031.60 | $27.15 | $33.94 |
| Level 1.3 | $1068.40 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 2.1 | $1314.13 | $34.58 | $43.23 |
| Level 2.2 | $1355.46 | $35.67 | $44.59 |
| Level 2.3 | $1396.67 | $36.75 | $45.94 |
| Level 2.4 | $1433.81 | $37.73 | $47.16 |
| Level 3.1 | $1468.78 | $38.65 | $48.31 |
| Level 3.2 | $1511.12 | $39.77 | $49.71 |
| Level 3.3 | $1543.37 | $40.62 | $50.78 |
| Level 3.4 | $1575.13 | $41.45 | $51.81 |
Crisis Accommodation
| SCHADS Award classification | Minimum weekly wage full time & part time | Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate |
| Level 1.1 | $1468.78 | $38.65 | $48.31 |
| Level 1.2 | $1511.12 | $39.77 | $49.71 |
| Level 1.3 | $1543.37 | $40.62 | $50.78 |
| Level 1.4 | $1575.13 | $41.45 | $51.81 |
| Level 2.1 | $1694.22 | $44.58 | $55.73 |
| Level 2.2 | $1738.44 | $45.75 | $57.19 |
| Level 2.3 | $1783.19 | $46.93 | $58.66 |
| Level 2.4 | $1822.92 | $47.97 | $59.96 |
| Level 3.1 | $1938.14 | $51.00 | $63.75 |
| Level 3.2 | $1979.92 | $52.10 | $65.13 |
| Level 3.3 | $2025.96 | $53.31 | $66.64 |
Family Day Care
| SCHADS Award classification | Minimum weekly wage full time & part time | Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate |
| Level 1.1 | $1000.60 | $26.33 | $32.91 |
| Level 1.2 | $1032.70 | $27.18 | $33.98 |
| Level 1.3 | $1070.20 | $28.16 | $35.20 |
| Level 1.4 | $1106.10 | $29.11 | $36.39 |
| Level 2.1 | $1137.60 | $29.94 | $37.43 |
| Level 2.2 | $1174.70 | $30.91 | $38.64 |
| Level 2.3 | $1211.90 | $31.89 | $39.86 |
| Level 2.4 | $1240.80 | $32.65 | $40.81 |
| Level 3.1 | $1272.30 | $33.48 | $41.85 |
| Level 3.2 | $1311.90 | $34.52 | $43.15 |
| Level 3.3 | $1352.30 | $35.59 | $44.49 |
| Level 3.4 | $1389.50 | $36.57 | $45.71 |
Home Care – Disability Care
| SCHADS Award classification | Minimum weekly wage full time & part time | Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate |
| Level 1.1 | $989.80 | $26.05 | $32.56 |
| Level 2.1 | $1046.90 | $27.55 | $34.44 |
| Level 2.2 | $1054.00 | $27.74 | $34.68 |
| Level 3.1 | $1068.40 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 3.2 | $1101.40 | $28.98 | $36.23 |
| Level 4.1 | $1165.60 | $30.67 | $38.34 |
| Level 4.2 | $1188.90 | $31.29 | $39.11 |
Home Care – Aged Care
| SCHADS Award classification | Minimum weekly wage full time & part time | Hourly rate | Casual hourly rate |
| Level 1 | $1172.20 | $30.85 | $38.56 |
| Level 2 | $1244.30 | $32.74 | $40.93 |
| Level 3 | $1285.10 | $33.82 | $42.28 |
| Level 4 | $1366.80 | $35.97 | $44.96 |
| Level 5 | $1394.50 | $36.70 | $45.88 |
| Level 6 | $1472.00 | $38.74 | $48.43 |
Reference: Pay Guide – Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services
What are the SCHADS Award pay rates 2024?
In 2024, the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review resulted in a 3.75% increase to SCHADS Award minimum wages, effective from 1 July 2024. This meant that all workers under the award should have received a pay rise in the 2024–25 financial year. For example, a level 2.1 disability support worker saw roughly an extra $45.60 per week in their full-time base pay after the July 2024 adjustment. Part-time and casual SCHADS employees also benefited, with part-timers earning at least $1.20 more per hour and casuals $1.50 more per hour from July 2024.
These SCHADS Award pay rates 2024 changes were slightly lower than inflation at the time (annual CPI was about 4.3% in late 2023). Still, it was crucial for employers to update their payroll systems and pay guides promptly in 2024 to avoid underpayments. The Fair Work Ombudsman and unions reminded businesses that failing to pay correct rates or allowances can result in penalties and back-pay liabilities. In short, if you had staff under SCHADS last year, you should have adjusted their wages by 3.75% from 1 July 2024 to remain compliant.
How to keep in compliance with the SCHADS Award in 2025?
To comply with the SCHADS Award in Australia, businesses in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services industry can follow:
| Minimum wage | Employers must pay their employees at least the minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. |
| Superannuation | Employers are obligated to make superannuation contributions on behalf of their eligible employees, which includes calculating and paying the correct amount on time. |
| Taxation | Businesses must accurately calculate and withhold income tax from employee wages, regularly passing the amount to the ATO. |
| Record-keeping | Employers are required to maintain comprehensive records relating to employee pay, taxes, superannuation and entitlements |
How does Workstem help?
Simplify your payroll process and ensure accurate pay rates with Workstem’s automated payroll system. Our pre-built modern award interpretation software covers 122+ awards and 34 EBAs, and keeps you up-to-date with penalty rates and other award entitlements.
Choose between our Standard and Advanced plans, and enjoy a range of benefits such as Fair Work compliance, an employee self-service App, and custom rule set. We have integrated our system with Xero and NetSuite as well to bring you a complete HR SaaS solution for your business.
Book a free demo with our payroll experts. Experience the efficiency and accuracy of Workstem today!
FAQs About the SCHADS Award
Q1: Who does the SCHADS Award cover?
A1: Employees in social, community, home care, and disability sectors.
Q2: When do SCHADS Award pay rates usually change?
A2: Annually, effective from 1 July each year.
Q3: What’s the increase in SCHADS Award pay rates 2025?
A3: Pay rates increased by 3.5% from 1 July 2025.
Q4: Are there other significant SCHADS Award changes in 2025?
A4: Yes, a new classification structure for aged care workers was introduced from January 2025.
Q5: How can employers remain compliant with SCHADS rates?
A5: Regularly check official Fair Work pay guides and update payroll systems annually.
Q6: How does Workstem ensure compliance with SCHADS rates?
A6: Workstem updates SCHADS award rates according to Fair Work via API integration, rest assured pay rates are always accurate.
Read More：
Updated SCHADS Award Pay Rates Guide 23/24
SCHADS Award Guide [MA000100]
SCHADS Award
SCHADS Level 4
SCHADS Level 5
Understanding Pay Point Progression in the SCHADS Award
Streamline SCHADS Award Compliance with HR Software
Your Guide to Broken Shift Allowance
