SCHADS Level 3 Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay, Tax and Super for 2026-27
For a full-time employee at SCHADS Level 3 pay point 1 (3.1), the base hourly rate is $40.49, giving an annual salary of approximately $80,008 based on a 38-hour week over 52 weeks.
Understanding the SCHADS Level 3 Salary
The SCHADS Level 3 salary is a common benchmark for experienced support workers in the social, community, home care, and disability services sectors. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a full-time or part-time employee at Level 3 pay point 1 (3.1) is $40.49 per hour, as set by the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award). This rate applies nationally, meaning it is the same in every state and territory.
To convert this hourly rate to an annual salary, we use the standard formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the calculation is:
$40.49 × 38 × 52 = $80,008.24 (rounded to $80,008 per year).
This annual figure is before any penalties, allowances, overtime, or superannuation. If you work weekends, nights, or public holidays, your actual earnings will be higher due to penalty rates. For example, Saturday work attracts a 50% loading ($60.74/hr) and Sunday a 100% loading ($80.98/hr) for full-time employees.
How the Calculation Works
Our hourly conversion tool assumes a consistent 38-hour week, 52 weeks per year. This is the standard full-time week under the National Employment Standards. If you work part-time or casual hours, your annual pay will be proportionally lower. For a casual employee at SCHADS Level 3.1, the rate including the 25% casual loading is $50.61 per hour. Using the same 38-hour week, the annual pay would be:
$50.61 × 38 × 52 = $100,005.36 (approximately $100,005).
However, casual employees do not receive paid leave, so the higher rate compensates for that. The casual loading is paid on top of the base rate, not instead of it.
You can also think in terms of fortnightly pay: multiply the weekly amount by two. For a full-time SCHADS Level 3.1 employee, the weekly pay is $1,538.62, so a fortnight is $3,077.24 before tax and super.
Tax and Medicare on Your SCHADS Level 3 Salary
Once you have your annual gross salary, the next step is to estimate your take-home pay after tax and Medicare. For the 2026-27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $18,200
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
For a $80,008 salary, the tax is calculated as:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020
- 30% on $35,008 ($45,001 to $80,008) = $10,502.40
- Total tax = $14,522.40
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% on all taxable income: $80,008 × 2% = $1,600.16
Total tax and Medicare = approximately $16,122.56. This leaves an estimated take-home pay of about $63,885 per year, or $1,228 per week. This is a rough estimate; your actual tax may differ due to deductions, offsets, or the Medicare levy surcharge if you do not have appropriate private hospital cover.
Superannuation and Casual Loading
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary. The super guarantee rate for 2026-27 is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $80,008 salary, the super contribution would be $9,600.96 per year. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional amount your employer pays into your super fund. You can learn more about super and packaging.
If you are a casual employee, the 25% loading is included in your hourly rate, but super is still calculated on the gross pay (including the loading). For example, a casual earning $50.61 per hour would have super of $6.07 per hour (12% of $50.61).
Comparing SCHADS Level 3 to Other Rates
The SCHADS Level 3 salary is significantly higher than the National Minimum Wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($33.05 casual). It also exceeds the average weekly earnings for all employees ($1,579.20 per week) but is below the full-time adult average of $2,083.70 per week. The SCHADS award is a specialised industry award that recognises the skills and responsibilities of support workers.
For other pay points within Level 3, the rates increase: 3.2 ($41.66/hr, annual $82,320), 3.3 ($42.55/hr, annual $84,079), and 3.4 ($43.42/hr, annual $85,798). These rates are minimums; some employers may pay above award or have enterprise agreements.
Using Our Tools
To see how your specific hourly rate translates to annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, use our timesheet. You can enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. The tool will show you the gross annual salary, estimated tax, Medicare, and super. Remember that the calculator assumes a consistent 38-hour week and does not account for penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice.
For more detailed award information, visit our pay guides or reference tables. If you are comparing job offers, our job pay page can help you evaluate total compensation.
Important Notes
The figures provided are based on the SCHADS Award pay guide effective from 1 July 2026. Award rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission, so always check the current rates. The tax and Medicare estimates use the 2026-27 resident tax scale and the 2025-26 Medicare reduction thresholds (as the 2026-27 thresholds were not confirmed). This is an estimate, not a determination of your actual pay or tax liability.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.