SCHADS Level 8 salary: minimum award rates, gross pay, super and tax in 2026
Find the SCHADS Level 8 salary under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award. See minimum hourly and weekly rates, how they compare to the national line, and
A full-time SCHADS Level 8 employee on the minimum award rate earns about $135,700–$141,100 a year, placing the salary index around 125–130, well above the national average of 100.
What is the SCHADS Level 8 salary?
The SCHADS Level 8 salary refers to the minimum pay rate for employees classified at Level 8 under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100). This award covers workers in community services, crisis accommodation, home care, and disability support. Level 8 is the highest classification in the social and community services stream, typically for senior practitioners, team leaders, coordinators, or managers with advanced skills and responsibilities.
From 1 July 2026, the full-time weekly rates for Level 8 are:
- Pay point 1: $2,602.75 per week ($68.49 per hour)
- Pay point 2: $2,653.94 per week ($69.84 per hour)
- Pay point 3: $2,705.27 per week ($71.19 per hour)
These rates come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s official pay guide and are confirmed by the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. They apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
Where does SCHADS Level 8 sit on the Salary Index?
The Salary Index compares a gross annual salary to the national line of 100, which is set at $108,352 per year (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
Annualising the SCHADS Level 8 minimum rates (multiplying the weekly rate by 52.1429):
- Level 8 pay point 1: ~$135,700 → Index 125
- Level 8 pay point 2: ~$138,400 → Index 128
- Level 8 pay point 3: ~$141,100 → Index 130
This means the award minimum for a Level 8 employee is about 25–30% above the national average for ordinary-time earnings. For context, the national minimum wage sits at an index of 48, and the average for health care and social assistance is 98. A SCHADS Level 8 salary is therefore a strong benchmark in the community sector.
Gross pay, super, and tax
Gross salary
The figures above are the minimum gross salary before any deductions. Many employers, especially in government-funded roles, pay above the award. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set higher rates.
Superannuation
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. On a Level 8 pay point 1 salary of $135,700, the employer must contribute an extra $16,284 per year into your super fund. This is on top of your gross pay and is not counted in the Salary Index, which measures ordinary-time earnings only.
Tax estimate
Using 2026–27 resident tax rates (with the tax-free threshold and a flat 2% Medicare levy, but ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge):
- Level 8 pay point 1 ($135,700): estimated tax + Medicare ~$33,800 → take-home ~$101,900
- Level 8 pay point 3 ($141,100): estimated tax + Medicare ~$36,100 → take-home ~$105,000
These are rough estimates. Your actual take-home will vary depending on your tax file number declaration, HELP debt, and other factors.
How SCHADS Level 8 compares across states and industries
The states page shows how average earnings differ around Australia. For example, the ACT index is 110 and WA is 107, while Tasmania is 89. A SCHADS Level 8 salary at index 125 would be well above the state average in every jurisdiction.
In industries, health care and social assistance has an average index of 98. A Level 8 role at 125+ is significantly higher than the industry average, reflecting the seniority and specialised nature of the work.
Important caveats
- These are minimum award rates. Actual salaries may be higher, especially for experienced professionals or in high-cost areas.
- The rates shown are for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading (e.g., Level 8 pay point 1 casual rate is $85.61 per hour).
- Penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, and shift work apply on top of the base rate. For Level 8, Saturday is paid at 150% ($102.74/hr), Sunday at 200% ($136.98/hr), and public holidays at 250% ($171.23/hr).
- From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under SCHADS will receive an initial increase of up to 15%. This does not affect the social and community services classifications shown here, but it’s a reminder that award rates can change.
Where to find current pay guides
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes official pay guides for each award. The SCHADS Award pay guide (MA000100) includes all classification levels, allowances, and penalty rates. You can also use the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database for detailed spreadsheets.
Summary
The SCHADS Level 8 salary represents the top of the social and community services award classification. With a minimum annualised gross of around $135,700 to $141,100, it sits well above the national average and offers a solid foundation for senior roles in the community sector. When you add 12% super and factor in tax, the take-home pay is competitive, especially compared to other roles in health care and social assistance.
For more context on how your salary compares, explore the Salary Index and see where you stand against the national line.
Questions people ask
What is the SCHADS Level 8 salary per hour in 2026?
Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 8 employee depends on the pay point. From 1 July 2026, Level 8 pay point 1 is $68.49 per hour, pay point 2 is $69.84 per hour, and pay point 3 is $71.19 per hour. These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top.
How does the SCHADS Level 8 salary compare to the national average?
The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (May 2026). A SCHADS Level 8 employee on the minimum award rate earns between $135,700 and $141,100 annually, giving a salary index of 125 to 130. This means the award minimum is about 25–30% above the national average for ordinary-time earnings.
What is the take-home pay after tax and super for a SCHADS Level 8 salary?
Take-home pay depends on the exact pay point and your personal circumstances. For a Level 8 pay point 1 annual salary of $135,700, the employer also pays 12% super ($16,284) on top. Using 2026–27 tax rates (excluding HELP or salary sacrifice), the estimated tax and Medicare levy would be about $33,800, leaving a take-home of roughly $101,900. Super is not included in take-home as it goes into your fund.