SCHADS Award guides

Plain-English explanations of the parts of the SCHADS Award that most often cause pay mistakes in disability support work.

• SCHADS pay rates 2026–27

  Hourly rates for social and community services Levels 1–8, with casual, weekend and public holiday rates.

• SCHADS broken shifts

  The broken shift allowance, the 12-hour span and when double time applies.

• SCHADS sleepover allowance

  How sleepovers are paid, and how to pay for work done during one.

• SCHADS minimum engagement

  The 2-hour minimum for disability support shifts, and how short shifts should be paid.

• SCHADS penalty rates

  Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, afternoon and night shift rates, and how they combine with casual loading.

• SCHADS overtime and breaks between shifts

  When overtime starts, the overtime rates, and the 10-hour break between shifts.