What a Disability Support Worker Salary Looks Like on the National Pay Index

Reading a job ad for a disability support worker

When you see a job ad for a disability support worker, the salary figure might be listed as an hourly rate, an annual salary, or a range. To know whether it’s a fair offer, you need to compare it against the national line. That’s where the Salary Index helps: it takes the yearly gross pay, divides it by the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 in May 2026), and multiplies by 100. An index of 100 is average; anything below is below average.

The award minimums

Most disability support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide with the minimum rates. From 1 December 2026, the rates for home care disability employees will increase by up to 15%. Here are the current hourly rates for disability care classifications (full-time, per hour):

• Level 1, pay point 1: $31.38
• Level 2, pay point 1: $33.19
• Level 3, pay point 1: $33.87
• Level 4, pay point 1: $36.95
• Level 5, pay point 1: $39.62

These are minimums. A job ad might offer more, but if it offers less, it’s illegal. The rates are above the national minimum wage of $26.44/hr (index 48.2), but still well below the all-industries average of 100.

Calculating the index from a job ad

Suppose an ad says “$33.19 per hour, full-time, 38 hours per week”. That’s Level 2 pay point 1. Annualised: $33.19 × 38 × 52 = $65,583. Index = (65,583 / 108,352) × 100 = 60.5. That’s low compared to the health care and social assistance industry index of 97.8. But the ad might also mention penalty rates for weekends or shifts. If you work every Saturday (1.5x), your effective hourly rate rises. The index helps you compare offers with different hours and conditions.

If the ad says “casual, $41.49 per hour” (including 25% casual loading), annualised for 38 hours: $41.49 × 38 × 52 = $81,979, index 75.7. Still below average, but better. And casual workers don’t get paid leave, so factor that in.

What about the 15% increase?

From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under the SCHADS Award will get an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates. That means Level 2 pay point 1 would become about $38.17/hr, annualised $75,414, index 69.6. Still below 100, but a meaningful boost. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database tracks these changes.

Super and tax

Remember, the salary figure in an ad is usually before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. So on a $65,583 salary, your employer adds $7,870 into super. That’s not in your pocket now, but it’s part of your total compensation.

Tax: a single resident earning $65,583 pays about $11,267 in income tax plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,312), leaving around $54,316 take-home. That’s about $4,526 per month. Use the how the index works page to see how tax affects different salary levels.

Comparing across states

Disability support worker salaries don’t vary much by state because the award is national. But the cost of living does. The index for your state can help: NSW is 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9, Tasmania 88.6. A $65,583 salary in Tasmania (index 88.6) goes further than in WA (106.9). Check the states page for details.

What to watch for in job ads

• Classification: Is it Level 2 or Level 4? The difference is about $3.76/hr, or $7,430 a year.
• Employment type: Casual pays more per hour but no leave. Part-time gives you leave but fewer hours.
• Penalty rates: Many ads say “weekend penalties apply”. That can lift your index significantly.
• Allowances: Travel, first aid, or qualification allowances add to your pay.
• Enterprise agreements: Some employers have their own agreements that pay above the award. Ask for a copy.

The big picture

Disability support work is essential, but the pay has historically lagged. The 15% increase is a step toward fairer wages. When you read a job ad, use the Salary Index to see where the offer sits against the national line. An index of 60 is below average; an index of 80 is decent for the sector. The industries page shows that health care and social assistance averages 97.8, so there’s room for improvement.

For more on how to compare salaries, see our pay guides and topics pages. And always check the latest award rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.