What is the annual salary for a SCHADS Level 6 employee at pay point 1?

At pay point 1, the hourly rate is $58.37. For a full‑time 38‑hour week, the weekly rate is $2,218.02. Multiplying by 52 gives an approximate annual salary of $115,337.04 before tax and super. This is the minimum award rate under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, including the Equal Remuneration Order.

What tax and super apply to a SCHADS Level 6 salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates start at nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Medicare levy is generally 2%. Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a $115,337 salary, super adds about $13,840 per year.

SCHADS Level 6 Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide 2026–27

Q: How does casual loading affect the SCHADS Level 6 salary?

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the permanent hourly rate. For Level 6 pay point 1, the casual rate is $72.96 per hour. The annual equivalent for a casual working 38 hours each week would be about $144,154 before tax, but casuals do not receive paid leave. The loading compensates for that.

A full‑time SCHADS Level 6 employee at pay point 1 earns $58.37 per hour, or about $115,337 per year based on a 38‑hour week.

Understanding the SCHADS Level 6 Salary

The SCHADS Level 6 salary is a key benchmark for senior roles in the social and community services sector. Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100), Level 6 covers positions such as operations manager or senior specialist who work under limited direction and shape operational policy. The award sets minimum hourly rates that include the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) adjustment, which already factors in a 140% uplift for historically female-dominated roles.

Current Pay Points (from 1 July 2026)

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, Level 6 has three pay points:

Pay point 1: $58.37 per hour ($2,218.02 per week)
Pay point 2: $59.66 per hour ($2,267.02 per week)
Pay point 3: $60.95 per hour ($2,316.16 per week)

These rates apply to full‑time and part‑time permanent employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $72.96 per hour at pay point 1.

Converting Hourly to Annual Salary

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full‑time SCHADS Level 6 employee working 38 hours per week, the calculation is straightforward. At pay point 1:

$58.37 × 38 × 52 = $115,337.04 per year

At pay point 3:

$60.95 × 38 × 52 = $120,440.32 per year

This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. The weekly rate multiplied by 2 gives the fortnightly pay: $4,436.04 at pay point 1.

How This Compares to Other Benchmarks

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a 38‑hour week, or $1,004.90 per week. The SCHADS Level 6 rate is more than double that, reflecting the higher skill and responsibility required. For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full‑time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. The Level 6 weekly rate of $2,218.02 sits slightly above that average.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, the 25% loading is applied to the base hourly rate. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator; instead, use the base rate and tick the casual loading option. For Level 6 pay point 1, the casual rate is $72.96 per hour. The annual equivalent for a casual working 38 hours each week would be about $144,154, but casuals do not receive paid leave entitlements.

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of the salary. For a permanent employee earning $115,337, the employer contributes an additional $13,840.40 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from the salary; it is an extra cost to the employer.

Tax and Medicare on Your SCHADS Level 6 Salary

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

A $115,337 annual salary falls in the 30% bracket. The tax payable (excluding Medicare) is approximately:

$5,092 + 0.30 × ($115,337 – $45,000) = $5,092 + $21,101 = $26,193

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% ($2,307), giving total tax and Medicare of about $28,500. The after‑tax income is roughly $86,837 per year, or $1,670 per week. Use the take-home pay guide for a more detailed estimate.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

To calculate your own SCHADS Level 6 salary, visit the timesheet. Enter your base hourly rate (e.g., $58.37) and check the casual loading box if applicable. The calculator will show weekly, fortnightly, and annual figures, plus an estimate of tax and super. Remember that penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime are not included in this simple conversion.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. For a permanent Level 6 employee at pay point 1, the fortnightly gross is $4,436.04 (weekly $2,218.02 × 2). After tax and Medicare, the net fortnightly pay is approximately $3,341. This can help with budgeting and comparing job offers. See the pay guides for more award‑specific information.

Key Distinctions: Minimum Wage vs Award Rate vs Casual Loading

National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour – the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award.
Award rate: SCHADS Level 6 is a minimum award rate that is higher than the national minimum wage due to the classification and ERO.
Casual loading: An additional 25% on the award rate, compensating for lack of paid leave. It is not a penalty rate.
Super: 12% on top of ordinary earnings, not included in the hourly rate.

Understanding these layers ensures you compare like with like when evaluating a salary offer.

Annual Salary Range for SCHADS Level 6

Based on the three pay points, the annual salary range for a full‑time permanent employee is:

Pay point 1: $115,337
Pay point 2: $115,337 × ($59.66/$58.37) ≈ $117,885 (calculated)
Pay point 3: $120,440

These figures are before tax and super. The casual equivalent at pay point 1 is about $144,154 per year (before tax), but remember casuals do not accrue annual leave or sick leave.

For more information on how casual loading works, see the casual loading page. To explore average pay across industries, visit average pay.

Disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.