What are the NDIS support worker pay rates for weekends?

NDIS support worker weekend rates are higher than standard weekday rates. Saturday rates are typically 125% of the weekday rate, Sunday rates are 150%, and public holiday rates are 175%. These multipliers apply to the NDIS price limits and are published in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document.

What is the difference between what a participant pays and what a support worker earns?

The NDIS price limits are the maximum rate a registered provider can charge a participant per hour. Support workers are paid according to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award, which sets minimum employee pay rates. The difference between the price limit and the worker's pay covers the provider's overheads — insurance, training, administration, supervision, and on-costs like superannuation.

Are NDIS support worker rates the same across all providers in Australia?

NDIS price limits set the maximum a registered provider can charge — not a fixed rate. Providers may charge less than the price limit. However, all registered providers must pay their employees at least the SCHADS Award minimum rates. Unregistered providers used by self-managed or plan-managed participants may set their own rates but these must be negotiated and agreed in the service agreement.

What is the SCHADS Award and how does it affect NDIS support worker pay?

The SCHADS Award (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award) is the minimum pay standard for most disability support workers in Australia. It sets pay rates by classification level (Level 1 to Level 5), with casual, part-time, and full-time rates. Support workers must be paid at least the relevant SCHADS level for their role and qualifications. Support workers who feel they are being underpaid can check the Fair Work Commission website.

Do NDIS support worker rates change every year?

Yes. The NDIA reviews and updates the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits each financial year, typically in July. The 2025-26 pricing arrangements are currently in effect. The SCHADS Award minimum wages are also updated annually by the Fair Work Commission. Check ndis.gov.au each July for the updated price limits.

Can I negotiate support worker rates as a self-managed participant?

Yes. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants can engage workers at any rate agreed in a service agreement — including rates below the NDIS price limit. This means you may be able to get more hours from your budget by negotiating directly with a support worker. However, you must ensure the worker is paid at least the SCHADS Award minimum rate if they are an employee.

What qualifications affect an NDIS support worker's pay rate?

Under the SCHADS Award, support workers with higher qualifications (e.g. Certificate III or IV in Individual Support or Disability) may be classified at a higher pay level, which means a higher hourly rate. Under NDIS pricing, higher-intensity supports (like High Intensity Daily Personal Activities) have a higher price limit to reflect the skills required.

NDIS Support Worker Rates 2026

A plain-language guide to NDIS support worker pay rates and hourly rates — what participants are charged, what workers are paid, and how time of day and day of week affects the rate.

Last updated: May 2026 · Based on NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2025-26

Two Different Rates — Participant Price vs Worker Pay

When people search for "NDIS support worker rates", they are usually asking one of two different questions.

For Participants

What does my NDIS budget get charged?

The NDIS price limit is the maximum hourly amount a registered provider can claim from your plan. It varies by support type, time of day, and day of week.

For standard daily personal activities (the most common support), the price limit for 2025-26 is listed in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Providers can charge less, but not more.

For Workers

How much does a support worker earn?

Support workers are paid under the SCHADS Award (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award). This sets the minimum pay rate by classification level.

The worker's pay is always less than the NDIS price limit — the difference covers the provider's overheads: insurance, training, admin, super, and travel.

How Time of Day Affects NDIS Support Worker Rates

NDIS price limits use a standard weekday rate as the base. Evening, weekend, and public holiday supports attract a loading on top of the standard rate.

Time Period	Rate Loading	When It Applies
Weekday (Mon–Fri daytime)	Standard	6am–8pm, Monday to Friday
Weekday Evening	+25%	8pm–midnight Monday to Friday
Saturday	+25%	All hours Saturday
Sunday	+50%	All hours Sunday
Public Holiday	+75%	All hours on public holidays
Overnight (Active)	+25%	Midnight–6am when worker is actively awake

Exact dollar rates are published in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26. Use our NDIS price guide calculator to estimate what different supports will cost from your plan.

SCHADS Award Classification Levels

Support worker pay under the SCHADS Award increases with qualifications and experience. Higher classification levels attract a higher minimum hourly rate.

Level 1

Entry-level support worker — no formal qualifications required

Basic community participation, social support, companionship

Level 2

Experienced worker or Certificate III in Individual Support

Personal care, daily living assistance, medication prompting

Level 3

Certificate IV in Disability or significant experience

Complex personal care, behaviour support, high-needs clients

Level 4

Diploma or above, specialist skills

Specialist disability support, team leader, complex case management

SCHADS Award pay rates are updated each July by the Fair Work Commission. Check the Fair Work Commission website for the current minimum rates per level.

What Sits Between the Price Limit and Worker Pay?

The gap between the NDIS price limit and the support worker's hourly pay is not profit — it funds the costs of running a compliant, registered NDIS provider:

Superannuation — 11.5% on top of wages (2025-26 rate)

Insurance — Workers compensation, public liability, professional indemnity

Training and compliance — NDIS worker orientation, first aid, mandatory training

Administration — Rostering, payroll, NDIS portal claims, plan management

Travel and vehicle costs — Getting workers to and from participant homes

Management and supervision — Team leaders, support coordinators, quality oversight

NDIS registration fees — Audit costs and registration maintenance

NDIS Support Worker Rates 2026 — What's Changing?

The current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits are the 2025-26 version, effective from July 2025. A new version covering 2026-27 will be published by the NDIA in July 2026, reflecting any changes to price limits following annual review.

The SCHADS Award minimum rates are reviewed by the Fair Work Commission each year, with updates typically taking effect on 1 July. Support worker pay rates usually increase in line with or above the national minimum wage decision.

This page will be updated when the 2026-27 NDIS Pricing Arrangements are released. In the meantime, use the official NDIS Pricing Arrangements document for the exact current figures.

NDIS Support Worker Rates — FAQ

Related Guides & Tools

NDIS Price Guide 2026 Calculator →NDIS Cleaning Price Guide →NDIS Funding Categories Explained →NDIS Self-Management Guide →NDIS Plan Management Perth →Meet Our Support Workers →

Looking for NDIS Support Workers in Perth?

Help Alliance provides registered NDIS support workers across Joondalup, Stirling, and Wanneroo. Our rates are within the NDIS Pricing Arrangements — no hidden fees, no lock-in contracts.