Support worker salary: what to expect when reading a job ad

Reading a job ad for a support worker role

When you see a salary figure in a support worker job advertisement, it helps to know where that number sits against national benchmarks. The Salary Index measures full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as 100 – that’s $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A support worker salary often falls below that line, but not by a huge margin.

What the data says

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Welfare Support Workers (ANZSCO 4117) is $1,844. That works out to about $95,888 a year, giving an index of roughly 88.5. The median hourly rate is $49. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and cover full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. They exclude part-time and casual workers, so the typical advertised salary might be lower if the role is part-time or casual.

Keep in mind that these data are based on the old ANZSCO classification. Jobs and Skills Australia will release new occupation profiles under OSCA in mid-2026. Still, the $1,844 figure is a solid reference point for now.

Award coverage and minimum rates

Most support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award). From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under this award will receive an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates. Other changes follow from 1 October 2027. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for this award, listing minimum hourly rates by classification. For example, a Level 1 support worker might start around $28–$30 per hour, while more experienced or specialised roles (Level 3 or 4) can go above $35.

Some support roles in health settings fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. That award saw minimum rate changes from 1 October 2026 after a gender-based undervaluation review. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes the updated classifications and wage-related allowances.

Comparing offers using the index

If a job ad quotes $85,000 a year, divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100 to get an index of about 78. That’s below the median for support workers. An offer of $95,000 gives an index of 87.7 – close to the median. An offer of $105,000 would be index 96.9, above the median but still under the national line.

Remember that the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings. Your take-home pay will be less after tax and Medicare levy. For a $95,888 salary in 2026–27, a resident with the tax-free threshold pays about $20,467 in tax plus $1,918 Medicare levy, leaving roughly $73,503 net. That’s a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

State and industry variations

Support worker pay can differ by state. The states page shows that the national index varies: New South Wales is 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, South Australia 94.6, Western Australia 106.9, Tasmania 88.6, Northern Territory 95.2, and the ACT 109.9. A support worker salary in WA might be higher than in Tasmania, reflecting local labour markets.

The industries page shows that Health Care and Social Assistance has an industry index of 97.8, slightly below the national average. Support workers are concentrated in that industry, along with Public Administration and Safety. The median age for welfare support workers is 39, and 71% are women.

What to look for in a job ad

When reading a support worker job ad, check:

• Full-time or part-time? The median $1,844 is for full-time. Part-time weekly pay will be lower, but hourly rates should be similar.
• Casual loading? Casual roles often add 25% on top of the award rate. For a $30/hour award rate, casual pay would be $37.50.
• Above award? Many employers pay above the minimum to attract experienced workers. The median $49/hour suggests many support workers earn well above award floors.
• Superannuation? The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of the quoted salary. A $95,888 salary means an extra $11,506 in super, but that’s not take-home pay.

The bottom line

A support worker salary in Australia typically sits between the national minimum wage (index 48.2) and the national line (index 100). The median is around index 88.5. Use the how the index works page to convert any advertised figure into an index number and compare it across roles. And always check the relevant award pay guide to make sure the offer meets minimum legal rates.

For more on related topics, see topics for guides on disability support, community services, and award classifications.