Case Manager Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences
Explore case manager salary in Australia with state and industry breakdowns. See how awards, location, and sector affect pay relative to the national index.
A case manager under the SCHADS Award at Level 3 pay point 1 earns about $40.49 per hour, giving a salary index of roughly 74, well below the national line of 100, but actual salaries vary widely by state, industry, and experience.
What is a case manager salary?
A case manager salary in Australia depends heavily on the industry, state, award classification, and experience. Case managers coordinate services for clients in health, community services, disability, aged care, and social work. Because the role spans multiple sectors, pay varies more than for many single-industry jobs. This guide uses the Salary Index to show where a case manager salary sits against the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year as of May 2026).
State differences in case manager pay
Where you work matters. The Salary Index for each state reflects average earnings across all industries, but case manager pay tends to follow similar patterns. For example, the ACT index is 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A case manager in Canberra might earn 24% more than one in Hobart, even under the same award, because of local labour market pressure and cost of living.
States like Western Australia (index 106.9) and New South Wales (101.2) sit above the national line. Victoria (98), Queensland (97.9), and South Australia (94.6) are below. The Northern Territory (95.2) is also below. These differences mean a case manager on the same award classification can have a very different real income depending on location.
Industry differences for case managers
Industry is another big factor. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, close to the national line. Many case managers work in this sector, often under the SCHADS Award or the Health Professionals Award. But case managers in professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) or mining (154.7) earn much more. Those in retail trade (75.9) or accommodation and food services (72.5) earn less.
Industries that employ case managers include community services, disability support, mental health, child protection, and hospital discharge planning. Each has its own award and pay structure.
The SCHADS Award and case manager salary
The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) is the most common award for case managers in community and disability settings. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide effective from 1 December 2026, minimum rates for social and community services employees range from Level 1 pay point 1 ($27.55/hr, index about 50) to Level 4 pay point 2 ($47.92/hr, index about 88). A typical case manager might be classified at Level 3 or Level 4.
For example, a case manager at Level 3 pay point 1 earns $40.49 per hour, or $1,538.59 per week. Annualised (52 weeks), that's about $80,006, giving a salary index of roughly 74. At Level 4 pay point 2, the rate is $47.92/hr, $1,821.07/week, annualised $94,696, index about 87. These are minimums; actual pay can be higher.
From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under SCHADS receive an initial increase of up to 15% to minimum award rates. This will push the index higher for those workers. Further changes apply from October 2027.
Health Professionals Award and case manager salary
Case managers in health settings (e.g., hospital discharge planners, mental health case managers) may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The Fair Work Commission updated minimum rates from 1 October 2026 following a gender undervaluation review. These rates are generally higher than SCHADS for comparable roles. For example, a health professional at a mid-level classification might earn $50–$60 per hour, putting the index above 100.
How the Salary Index works for case managers
The Salary Index compares a worker's gross annual earnings to the national line of 100. For a case manager earning $80,000, the index is 80,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 73.8. For one earning $100,000, it's 92.3. The index helps you see where your pay sits relative to the average full-time worker.
How the index works explains the calculation in detail. Remember that the index uses ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration including super or overtime.
Take-home pay considerations
Gross pay is not take-home pay. For a case manager on $80,000, the 2026–27 tax estimate (excluding Medicare levy) is about $16,467, leaving $63,533. Add 2% Medicare levy ($1,600) gives net around $61,933. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so the employer contributes $9,600 on top of the $80,000 salary. The maximum super contribution base is $270,830.
Finding your case manager salary
To get a precise figure for your situation, check the relevant award pay guide. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award. Use the Pay and Conditions Tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website for personalised rates. Remember that enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the award.
Salary Index provides benchmarks for states and industries, but your actual case manager salary depends on your classification, experience, and employer. Use the index as a starting point to compare your pay against the national line.
Questions people ask
What award covers most case manager roles in Australia?
Many case managers in community services, home care, and disability work under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award). Case managers in health settings may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The award determines minimum pay rates, classifications, and conditions.
How does the state I work in affect my case manager salary?
State salary indices show average earnings differences. For example, the ACT index is 109.9 (above national line) while Tasmania is 88.6. A case manager in a high-index state like WA (106.9) may earn more than one in SA (94.6), even within the same award, due to local labour market conditions and cost of living.
What is the salary index for a typical case manager?
Using the SCHADS Award minimum for a Level 3 pay point 1 case manager ($40.49/hr, $1,538.59/week), the salary index is about 74 (annualised ~$80,000 divided by national line $108,352). However, many case managers are at higher pay points or in higher-paying industries, so the index can range from below 70 to above 100.