What is the SCHADS Level 6 salary? A guide for job seekers comparing offers

What is the SCHADS Level 6 salary?

When you see a job ad for a community services role and it mentions "SCHADS Level 6", it refers to a classification under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100). This award covers workers in social and community services, home care, and disability support. The level determines the minimum pay you must receive. For job seekers comparing offers, understanding where this sits against the national earnings line helps you gauge whether the pay is competitive.

The award and its levels

The SCHADS Award has eight levels, each with multiple pay points that reflect experience and responsibility. Level 6 typically covers experienced case workers, team leaders, or specialist support workers. The award sets minimum hourly and weekly rates that change each year after the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, the rates increased by 4.75%.

Current minimum rates for Level 6

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide and the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, the full-time minimum rates for SCHADS Level 6 from 1 July 2026 are:

• Pay point 1: $58.37 per hour, $2,218.02 per week
• Pay point 2: $59.66 per hour, $2,267.02 per week
• Pay point 3: $60.95 per hour, $2,316.16 per week

These are the minimums. Many employers pay above award, especially for roles that require qualifications or in areas with labour shortages. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday (time-and-a-half), Sunday (double time), and public holidays (double time and a half), plus shift loadings.

Where does this sit on the Salary Index?

The Salary Index compares a gross annual salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The benchmark (index 100) is $108,352 per year, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. To find the index for a SCHADS Level 6 minimum, annualise the weekly rate: $2,218.02 × 52 = $115,337. Then divide by the benchmark and multiply by 100: (115,337 ÷ 108,352) × 100 = 106.4.

That means the minimum award rate for Level 6 pay point 1 is about 6.4% above the national average. Higher pay points push the index up: pay point 2 gives an index of 108.8, and pay point 3 gives 111.2. If a job ad offers more than the minimum, the index will be even higher.

Reading a job ad and comparing offers

When you see a salary range in a job ad, check whether it states "SCHADS Level 6" or just a dollar figure. If it says "Level 6.1" that usually means pay point 1. Some ads say "above award" or "negotiable". Use the index to compare offers across different industries or states. For example, the Health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, so a SCHADS Level 6 role at minimum is above that industry average. But if you're in Western Australia where the state index is 106.9, the award minimum is slightly below the state average.

Super and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross salary. For a Level 6 pay point 1 salary of $115,337, the super contribution would be about $13,840. Your take-home pay depends on tax. For 2026–27, a resident earning $115,337 falls in the 30% tax bracket (after the tax-free threshold). The estimated tax (including 2% Medicare levy) is roughly $27,000, leaving about $88,000 net. This is a rough estimate; your actual situation may vary with HELP debt or other factors. The pay guides on our site can help you check award conditions.

What about the December 2026 changes?

The Fair Work Ombudsman notes that from 1 December 2026, home care disability employees covered by the SCHADS Award will receive an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates. This means if you're in a home care disability role, the Level 6 minimum could be higher than the figures above after that date. Always check the latest award rates when comparing offers.

Using the index to make decisions

The Salary Index is a tool to put any salary in context. A SCHADS Level 6 salary at minimum is above the national line, which is a good sign. But also consider the cost of living in your state or territory. For instance, the ACT has an index of 109.9, so a Level 6 minimum might feel less generous there than in Tasmania where the index is 88.6. The index helps you see the real purchasing power of an offer relative to where you live.

Final thoughts

The SCHADS Level 6 salary is a solid benchmark for community services roles. The minimum sits above the national average, and with penalty rates or above-award pay, it can be even better. When you're reading job ads, look for the level and pay point, annualise the figure, and compare using the Salary Index. That way you can see how an offer stacks up against the national line and against other opportunities.