NDIS support coordinator salary: award rates and what to expect in 2026

Understanding the NDIS support coordinator role and award coverage

NDIS support coordinators help participants implement their National Disability Insurance Scheme plans, connecting them with services and supports. Most are employed by disability service providers, community organisations, or local councils. The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award) covers this work. Under the award, support coordinators are typically classified as Social and Community Services Employees, not under the home care or crisis accommodation streams.

Classification depends on the complexity of the role, the level of responsibility, and the qualifications required. A support coordinator handling standard cases with some autonomy might be Level 3, while a senior coordinator managing complex plans and supervising others could be Level 4 or 5. The award provides pay points within each level, so an employee moves up as they gain experience.

Award pay rates for support coordinators

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide, the minimum rates for Social and Community Services Employees from 1 December 2026 are:

• Level 3 pay point 1: $40.49 per hour, $1,538.59 per week
• Level 3 pay point 4: $43.42 per hour, $1,649.97 per week
• Level 4 pay point 1: $46.70 per hour, $1,774.74 per week
• Level 4 pay point 4: $50.25 per hour, $1,909.51 per week

These rates include the final instalment of the Equal Remuneration Order, which equalised pay for social and community services workers. Annualising the weekly rate (multiply by 52 weeks) gives a gross salary range of about $80,000 to $99,000 for these levels. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate.

It is important to note that these are minimums. Many employers pay above award to attract and retain staff, especially in competitive metropolitan areas. The actual NDIS support coordinator salary you see in job ads will often be higher, sometimes by 10–20%.

Salary index comparison

The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For a support coordinator earning $85,000, the index is 78.5. For $95,000, it is 87.7. The health care and social assistance industry average index is 97.8, so a support coordinator on $106,000 would match that benchmark.

State differences matter. The states page shows that the ACT index is 109.9, WA 106.9, and NSW 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6 and South Australia 94.6. A support coordinator in Canberra or Perth can expect higher pay than one in Hobart or Adelaide, reflecting local labour markets and cost of living.

Reading job ads and comparing offers

When you see an NDIS support coordinator salary in a job advertisement, check whether it is expressed as an annual salary or an hourly rate. If hourly, ask if it includes casual loading or is the base award rate. Also look at the classification level mentioned. Some ads specify "Level 3" or "Level 4" under SCHADS, which gives you a direct reference to the award minimum.

Compare the offered salary to the industry benchmarks for health care and social assistance. If the offer is below index 90, it may be at the lower end of the market. Offers around index 95–100 are competitive. Remember that the salary index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, so factor in superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) and tax. For a resident earning $90,000 in 2026–27, the take-home pay after tax and Medicare levy is roughly $69,000, ignoring HELP or salary sacrifice.

Practical examples

Example 1: A job ad offers $82,000 per year for a support coordinator. That annualises to an index of 75.7. The award minimum for Level 3 pay point 1 is $80,007, so this offer is only about 2.5% above the floor. You could negotiate closer to $88,000 (index 81.2) if you have experience.

Example 2: An hourly rate of $45.00 per hour for a Level 4 support coordinator. The award minimum for Level 4 pay point 1 is $46.70, so this rate is below the minimum. That is illegal unless the employer has a different classification. Always verify that the rate matches the appropriate pay point.

Key takeaways

• Use the pay guides to check current award rates and the [how the how the index works to understand how your salary compares nationally. The topics page covers other disability and community service roles. Always ask the employer for the classification level and pay point to ensure you are being paid correctly.

FAQs

(FAQs are provided in the separate array above.)