The SCHADS Award — the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100) — sets minimum pay and conditions for many Australian care, community and NDIS workers. It covers classifications, broken shifts, sleepovers, allowances and penalty rates, and is one of the most complex awards to apply correctly in payroll.
SCHADS applies to employers and employees in social and community services, home care, disability services (including many NDIS providers), and family day care. If your organisation delivers these services, your award-covered staff are likely paid under SCHADS — though some roles may sit under a different award or an enterprise agreement. If unsure, confirm coverage against the award or seek advice.
Staff are graded across levels and pay points; misgrading drives underpayments.
Splitting a shift across the day triggers specific allowances and rules.
Distinct rates and conditions from ordinary or active hours.
Travel/kilometres, on-call, qualifications and more.
Evenings, weekends, public holidays and overtime each have their own loadings.
Rates note: SCHADS pay rates, allowances and penalties change at least annually (usually 1 July). For current figures, see the Fair Work SCHADS Pay Guide and our companion SCHADS pay rates guide. Always check the current Fair Work figures before running pay.
SCHADS is exactly where automated award interpretation earns its keep. Employment Star configures SCHADS classifications, broken shifts, sleepovers, allowances and penalties in Employment Hero, tests them against real rosters, and audits past pay runs for errors. Learn about our award interpretation and payroll consulting services.
Talk to Employment Star’s payroll specialists about configuring and auditing SCHADS in Employment Hero.
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100) — the modern award setting minimum pay and conditions for many Australian care, community and NDIS workers.
Often, yes. Many NDIS and disability-services roles are covered by SCHADS, though some may fall under another award or an enterprise agreement. Confirm coverage for each role.
Classifications and pay points, broken shifts, sleepovers, travel and other allowances, and multiple penalty/overtime rules — all of which must be applied correctly to avoid underpayments.
In the Fair Work SCHADS Pay Guide, updated at least annually. See our SCHADS pay rates guide for an overview, and always check the current Fair Work figures before running pay.
Yes — we configure SCHADS classifications, shifts, allowances and penalties in Employment Hero, test against real rosters, and audit past pay runs.
