Support coordinator salary: award rates versus the national minimum wage

What is a support coordinator salary?

A support coordinator salary is the pay for a role that helps people with disabilities or complex needs navigate services and funding, often under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This role is typically classified under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award), which sets minimum pay rates based on skill level and responsibility. The writing angle here is awards versus the national minimum wage, because support coordinator pay is determined by an award, not the bare legal floor.

How the SCHADS Award sets support coordinator salary

The SCHADS Award covers social and community services employees, including those in crisis accommodation, home care, and family day care. Support coordinators usually fall into Level 3 or Level 4 classifications, depending on their duties and qualifications. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification and pay point. For example, a Level 3 pay point 1 support coordinator earns $40.49 per hour, or $1,538.59 per week. That annualises to about $80,008, assuming a 38-hour week and 52 weeks. A Level 4 pay point 1 support coordinator earns $46.70 per hour, annualising to $92,307.

These rates are from the SCHADS Award pay guide effective from 1 December 2026, incorporating the 4.75% increase from the 2026 Annual Wage Review. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database confirms that these minimum rates apply from 1 July 2026. The award also includes penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, and shift work, which can boost take-home pay.

Support coordinator salary versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives a Salary Index of 48.2, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352. A support coordinator at Level 3 pay point 1 earns $40.49 per hour, which is 53% more than the national minimum wage. The index for that support coordinator salary is 73.8, well above the national minimum but below the health care and social assistance industry average index of 97.8.

This gap illustrates why awards matter. The SCHADS Award was designed to recognise the value of community service work, partly through the Equal Remuneration Order that phased in higher pay from 2012 to 2020. Without the award, a support coordinator could theoretically be paid the national minimum wage, but the award ensures a fairer minimum that reflects the role's complexity.

Using the Salary Index to compare support coordinator pay

The Salary Index lets you see where a pay figure sits against the national line. For a support coordinator, the index varies by classification:

• Level 3 pay point 1: $80,008 annualised, index 73.8
• Level 4 pay point 1: $92,307 annualised, index 85.2
• Level 5 pay point 1: $53.43 per hour, annualised $105,577, index 97.4

These are minimum award rates. Actual support coordinator salaries may be higher due to enterprise agreements, location, or employer discretion. For example, in New South Wales (state index 101.2) or the Australian Capital Territory (state index 109.9), employers may pay above award to attract staff. In Tasmania (state index 88.6), award rates are more common.

Superannuation and tax considerations

A support coordinator salary also includes superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of the salary. For a Level 3 support coordinator earning $80,000, that adds $9,600 in super. The maximum contribution base is $270,250. Tax on the salary itself follows the 2026–27 rates: tax-free up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. A support coordinator on $80,000 would pay about $14,467 in tax and Medicare, leaving around $65,533 take-home.

Where to find current support coordinator salary information

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a Pay and Conditions Tool and pay guides for the SCHADS Award. The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database with detailed classification and penalty rate data. For state-specific information, see our states page. For industry comparisons, visit industries.

Conclusion

A support coordinator salary is set by the SCHADS Award, not the national minimum wage. The award ensures a minimum that is significantly higher than the legal floor, with rates that reflect the skilled, community-focused nature of the work. Using the Salary Index, a typical support coordinator at Level 3 sits at index 73.8, while more senior roles approach the national average. Understanding the award classification is key to knowing the correct minimum pay.