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NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates in Sydney 2025-26: The Official Guide
If you’re an NDIS participant in Sydney, a family member managing a loved one’s supports, or a support worker trying to make sense of your payslip — one question comes up again and again: what are the official NDIS support worker pay rates?
So the short answer is that there are actually two different numbers you need to understand. First, there’s the NDIS price cap — what providers can charge for a support worker’s time (currently $70.23/hour weekday daytime). Second, there’s the SCHADS Award rate — what the support worker actually earns from their employer (typically $34–$45/hour base, depending on classification). The gap between them covers supervision, training, insurance, admin, leave entitlements and a small provider margin.
However, confusing these two rates is probably the biggest source of misunderstanding in the NDIS sector. This guide pulls the official 2025-26 figures straight from the NDIA’s Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL v1.1, released 14 October 2025) and the Fair Work SCHADS Award. As a result, every figure here is verified against government sources — not estimated from competitor blogs.
The Two Numbers Behind NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates
Number 1: What providers charge (the NDIS price cap)
The NDIS publishes maximum price limits that registered providers can charge participants. For a standard disability support worker delivering assistance with daily life in Sydney, the official 2025-26 rate is $70.23 per hour on a weekday daytime, rising to $156.03 per hour on a public holiday.
These are caps, not floors. Therefore, providers can charge less. However, they cannot exceed the cap for registered / agency-managed participants. For self-managed and plan-managed participants, there’s more flexibility — but the caps still act as the standard reference point.
Number 2: What the support worker earns (SCHADS Award)
Support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 — known as the SCHADS Award (code MA000100). From 1 July 2025, SCHADS minimum pay rates increased by 3.5% following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
For a typical disability support worker classified at Level 2 or Level 3 in the Social and Community Services stream, base hourly wages range from about $34.58 to $41.45 (full-time and part-time), with casuals earning about 25% more as a loading.
Why are the two numbers different?
Because the NDIS price limit doesn’t only pay the support worker’s wage. Instead, it also has to cover:
- Annual leave and personal leave loading (~17.5% + statutory entitlements)
- Superannuation (currently 11.5%, rising to 12% from 1 July 2025)
- Workers compensation insurance and public liability
- Training, supervision and meetings (non-billable time)
- Administration — rostering, HR, IT, accounting
- Provider travel where not separately claimed
- NDIS Commission fees and registration costs
- A small margin so the provider can operate sustainably (or reinvest, if non-profit)
The NDIA publishes a detailed Disability Support Worker Cost Model that explains how each dollar of the price cap breaks down. Interestingly, the worker’s base hourly wage typically accounts for roughly 60% of the price cap — the rest covers the items above.
Official NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates 2025-26 (Provider Price Caps)
The table below shows the 2025-26 NDIS price caps for the most common support categories. All figures come directly from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 v1.1 (published 14 October 2025), valid from 24 November 2025.
Standard (Level 2) support — Assistance with Daily Life
These NDIS support worker pay rates apply to the most common support type: a regular NDIS support worker helping with personal care, daily tasks, or social and community participation. Rates vary by day of the week and time of day.
| Time of support | NDIS National cap (hourly) | Remote cap | Very remote cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday daytime (6am–8pm) | $70.23 | $98.32 | $105.35 |
| Weekday evening (8pm–midnight) | $77.38 | $108.33 | $116.07 |
| Weekday night (after midnight / before 6am) | $78.81 | $110.33 | $118.22 |
| Saturday | $98.83 | $138.36 | $148.25 |
| Sunday | $127.43 | $178.40 | $191.15 |
| Public holiday | $156.03 | $218.44 | $234.05 |
| Night-time sleepover (per shift) | $297.60 | $416.64 | $446.40 |
Source: NDIS PAPL 2025-26 v1.1, support items 01_011_0107_1_1 through 01_832_0115_1_1. Sydney metro falls under the National column.
High Intensity (Level 3) support
These rates apply when the participant’s support needs require additional skill, training or supervision — for example, support workers with training in PEG feeding, complex bowel care, ventilator management, or similar. This tier also applies to participants with complex medical needs and some behavioural support contexts.
| Time of support | NDIS National cap (hourly) |
|---|---|
| Weekday daytime | $75.98 |
| Weekday evening | $83.72 |
| Weekday night | $85.27 |
| Saturday | $106.93 |
| Sunday | $137.87 |
| Public holiday | $168.81 |
Source: NDIS PAPL 2025-26 v1.1, support items 01_400_0104_1_1 through 01_816_0115_1_1. The same price limits apply to intensive and complex behaviour supports.
What counts as weekday daytime vs evening vs night?
The NDIS uses specific shift definitions for disability support workers:
- Weekday daytime: starts at or after 6:00 am and ends before or at 8:00 pm on the same weekday
- Weekday evening: starts at or after 8:00 pm and finishes at or before midnight on the same weekday
- Weekday night: crosses midnight, or begins before 6:00 am on a weekday
- Saturday: starts from midnight Friday and ends before midnight Saturday
- Sunday: starts from midnight Saturday and ends before midnight Sunday
- Public holiday: applies to the holiday date itself, starting at midnight the prior night
So if a shift crosses a boundary (e.g. a worker starts at 7pm weekday and finishes at 10pm), the provider bills the higher-rate segments separately, or uses the higher rate for the entire shift if the same worker delivers it all — whichever the PAPL permits.
NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates for Home Care & Domestic Activities
Not every support is “assistance with daily life.” For example, if a support worker does only household tasks — cleaning, laundry, simple meal preparation — that counts as Assistance with Personal Domestic Activities, which has a lower price cap.
| Support type | Price cap (hourly) |
|---|---|
| Assistance with Personal Domestic Activities (any time) | $59.06 |
Source: NDIS PAPL 2025-26, support item 01_004_0107_1_1.
So the NDIS support worker pay rates for domestic-only tasks sit about $11/hour below the standard Daily Life rates. For more on how these fit into everyday supports, read our home care services under the NDIS guide.
NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates vs SCHADS Award 2025-26
Moving from what providers charge to what the worker actually takes home, the SCHADS Award sets minimum hourly wages. So whereas the NDIS support worker pay rates we’ve covered so far apply to providers, SCHADS rates apply directly to the employee’s payslip. From 1 July 2025, these SCHADS rates rose by 3.5% following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
Social and Community Services (SACS) Employee classifications
Most disability support workers sit in the “Social and Community Services Employee” classification within SCHADS. Here are the base hourly wages from 1 July 2025:
| Classification | Base hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) | Weekly full-time (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Pay Point 1 (entry level) | $26.30 | $32.88 | $999.40 |
| Level 1 Pay Point 2 | $27.15 | $33.94 | $1,031.60 |
| Level 1 Pay Point 3 | $28.12 | $35.15 | $1,068.40 |
| Level 2 Pay Point 1 | $34.58 | $43.23 | $1,314.13 |
| Level 2 Pay Point 2 | $35.67 | $44.59 | $1,355.46 |
| Level 2 Pay Point 3 | $36.75 | $45.94 | $1,396.67 |
| Level 2 Pay Point 4 | $37.73 | $47.16 | $1,433.81 |
| Level 3.1 | ~$38.65 | ~$48.31 | ~$1,468.70 |
| Level 3.4 | ~$41.45 | ~$51.81 | ~$1,575.10 |
| Level 4.1 (team leader / senior) | ~$44.58 | ~$55.73 | ~$1,694.04 |
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman SCHADS Award (MA000100) pay guide, effective 1 July 2025 following the 3.5% Annual Wage Review increase. Rates apply to Social and Community Services Employees within the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award.
Penalty rates on top of the base
Outside ordinary hours, penalty rates increase the worker’s take-home:
- Saturday: 50% loading (1.5× base)
- Sunday: 100% loading (2× base) for full-time/part-time; 75% loading for casual
- Public holiday: 150% loading (2.5× base)
- Afternoon shift: 12.5% loading (ordinary hours ending after 8pm)
- Night shift: 15% loading (non-rotating), 30% (rotating across more than 8 weeks)
Additionally, casual workers receive a 25% casual loading on the base rate in lieu of paid leave entitlements.
Which SCHADS Level Applies to My Support Worker?
Classification isn’t just about experience — it depends on the work being performed. Because the SCHADS level directly affects both the worker’s wage and the NDIS support worker pay rates their provider can bill, it’s worth understanding. Here’s a broad guide:
Level 1
Entry-level workers with limited experience performing basic, structured support tasks under supervision. Additionally, this level suits workers still in training. Most NDIS support workers don’t stay at Level 1 long.
Level 2
The most common classification for NDIS support workers. These workers deliver standard personal care, community access, meal preparation, medication prompting, and similar tasks independently. Therefore, the majority of the sector sits in Level 2 Pay Points 1-4.
Level 3
Workers performing high-intensity supports — PEG feeding, complex bowel care, ventilation, seizure management — or senior workers with specialist training. Additionally, behaviour support interventions under a registered behaviour support practitioner often warrant Level 3 classification.
Level 4
Team leaders, senior workers, coordinators, and workers with advanced specialist duties. For example, a shift team leader in a SIL house often sits at Level 4.
Level 5+
Management-level roles — house managers, service coordinators, allied health assistants with specific training. Rarely applies to front-line support work.
NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates in Sydney — What’s Different Locally?
NDIS support worker pay rates apply nationally — so a Sydney support worker costs the same per hour as one in any other metropolitan area. However, there are Sydney-specific factors worth knowing.
Sydney is in the “National” price tier
So Sydney participants pay the same hourly cap as participants in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Remote and very remote loadings don’t apply. Therefore, the $70.23 weekday rate is what applies across the whole Sydney metropolitan area.
Provider cost pressure in Sydney
Because Sydney has higher rents, travel costs, and parking fees, providers face tighter margins. As a result, some Sydney providers quietly charge below cap rates to remain competitive. Meanwhile, other providers focus on specialisation (e.g., high-intensity care) where the Level 3 caps of $75.98+ give slightly more room.
Sydney travel time and kilometre charges
For support delivered in Sydney metro areas, providers can claim up to 30 minutes of provider travel time at the relevant hourly cap, plus $0.99 per km for standard vehicles or $2.76 per km for modified / wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Read our NDIS transport funding Sydney guide for the full breakdown.
Multilingual support workers
In Western Sydney — particularly Fairfield, Liverpool and Cumberland LGAs — participants often need multilingual support. Although NDIS caps don’t pay more for bilingual workers, some providers prioritise matching on language and culture without additional cost. See our NDIS provider in Western Sydney guide for more detail.
Examples: How the Math Works in Practice
Example 1 — A 2-hour weekday afternoon shift
- Participant: Standard Assistance with Daily Life support
- Shift: Tuesday 2pm-4pm in Green Valley, Sydney
- NDIS bill: 2 hours × $70.23 = $140.46
- Worker gross earnings (Level 2.2, full-time employee): 2 hours × $35.67 = $71.34
- The difference (~$69) covers super, leave, admin, supervision, insurance and provider margin
Example 2 — A Sunday shift
- Shift: Sunday 10am-2pm (4 hours) in Fairfield, Sydney
- NDIS bill: 4 hours × $127.43 = $509.72
- Worker gross earnings (Level 2.2 base $35.67 × 2 Sunday loading): 4 hours × $71.34 = $285.36
- The gap funds the higher on-cost burden plus provider operational costs
Example 3 — A night-time sleepover
- Shift: overnight sleepover in a SIL home
- NDIS bill: $297.60 per sleepover (includes up to 2 hours of active support)
- Worker earnings: covered by SCHADS sleepover allowance rules (sleepover allowance + any active support hours at the relevant penalty rate)
NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates by Support Category
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL uses the same weekday/weekend/public holiday structure as standard daily assistance — the price caps are identical. So a support worker in a SIL house on a Sunday still earns the Sunday SCHADS rate, while the provider bills $127.43/hr. For more, read our SIL guide.
Short Term Accommodation (STA / STR) & Respite
STA/Respite uses daily rates, not hourly. For example, a standard 1:1 weekday respite day is $708.75 (for a 1:4 staff ratio). Higher-intensity ratios and weekend/public holiday days attract loadings. Read our NDIS respite care Sydney guide for the full table.
Community Participation
Same support worker hourly rates apply. However, providers may also claim activity-based transport under a separate support item. See our community participation guide.
Nursing supports
Nursing is a separate category with higher price caps because registered nurses and enrolled nurses cost more. For example, an Enrolled Nurse weekday daytime is capped at $99.88/hr, rising to $123.65/hr for a Registered Nurse and $176.85/hr for a Nurse Practitioner.
How to Check If You’re Being Charged Correctly
If you’re an NDIS participant, family carer, or plan nominee, it’s worth auditing your invoices regularly against the official NDIS support worker pay rates. Here’s how:
Step 1: Check your service agreement
Your service agreement should list the hourly rates the provider will charge for each support type. If it quotes rates higher than the NDIS cap, flag this with your provider. Additionally, if the service agreement uses flat rates, ask for the time-of-day breakdown so you can verify later.
Step 2: Compare invoices to the PAPL
Each invoice should state:
- The NDIS support item number (e.g., 01_011_0107_1_1)
- The hours claimed
- The rate per hour
- The day of the week and shift period
So if a Tuesday afternoon shift lists $75/hr instead of $70.23/hr, that’s above cap. Raise it with your provider.
Step 3: Flag concerns with the NDIS Commission
If a provider keeps overcharging, or you suspect fraud, contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544. Additionally, your plan manager can help audit invoices for you if you use one.
2026 Changes Affecting NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates
Superannuation increase
From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee rose from 11.5% to 12% — the final legislated step in the staggered increase. As a result, the NDIS factors this into the 2025-26 price caps.
Annual SCHADS wage review
The Fair Work Commission reviews SCHADS minimum wages every year on 1 July. Typical increases run 3-5%. For 2025, the increase was 3.5%. Meanwhile, the 2026 review outcome will apply from 1 July 2026.
NDIS pricing review
Meanwhile, the NDIA updates the PAPL at least 3 times a year. So version 1.1 (released 14 October 2025, valid from 24 November 2025) is the current version at the time of writing. Always check the current version at the NDIS Pricing Arrangements page before making any funding or pricing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions — NDIS Support Worker Pay Rates
What is the NDIS support worker rate for 2025-26?
The official 2025-26 NDIS price cap for standard assistance with daily life on a weekday daytime is $70.23 per hour nationally. Rates rise on weekday evenings ($77.38), Saturdays ($98.83), Sundays ($127.43) and public holidays ($156.03). Remote and very remote areas attract higher caps.
How much do NDIS support workers earn?
NDIS support workers are paid under the SCHADS Award. From 1 July 2025, base hourly wages typically range from $26.30 (Level 1.1 entry) to $41.45 (Level 3.4) for Social and Community Services Employees. Most NDIS workers sit at Level 2, earning $34.58–$37.73 per hour base — plus penalty rates on weekends and public holidays.
Why is there a gap between what the NDIS pays and what the worker earns?
The NDIS price cap isn’t just the worker’s wage. It also has to cover superannuation (12%), leave entitlements, workers comp insurance, training and supervision, admin and rostering, NDIS Commission fees, and provider margin or reinvestment. In fact, the worker’s base hourly wage typically accounts for around 60% of the NDIS cap.
Can providers charge above the NDIS price cap?
No — not for agency-managed participants. For plan-managed and self-managed participants, the price cap is still the reference point, although there is some flexibility. However, for practical purposes, almost all providers charge at or below the cap.
Do Sydney support workers earn more?
No. SCHADS Award rates are national. Additionally, NDIS price caps are national (with loadings only for Remote / Very Remote areas, which don’t apply to Sydney). Therefore, a Sydney worker earns the same SCHADS base rate as a worker anywhere else in Australia at the same level.
What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 support workers?
Level 2 suits standard NDIS support work — personal care, community access, household tasks, medication prompting. Level 3 is for high-intensity supports requiring specialist training — PEG feeding, complex bowel care, ventilation, seizure management, or senior-worker duties. Accordingly, NDIS price caps for high-intensity supports are higher ($75.98/hr weekday daytime) than standard ($70.23/hr).
What is a night-time sleepover rate?
The NDIS pays $297.60 per night for a sleepover support, which includes up to 2 hours of active support during the shift. If the worker needs to provide more than 2 hours of active support, additional hours can be billed at the relevant hourly rate (weekday night $78.81, etc.).
How often do NDIS support worker rates change?
The NDIS reviews the PAPL at least 3 times a year, with annual rate updates typically taking effect 1 July. Additionally, SCHADS rates update annually on 1 July following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. Therefore, July is usually when both sides of the pay equation change.
Can support workers negotiate higher than SCHADS?
Yes. SCHADS is a minimum. So employers can pay above-award rates, sometimes called enterprise agreement rates or above-award conditions. Some providers advertise higher hourly rates to attract experienced workers. Conversely, no employer can legally pay below SCHADS.
Does the NDIS pay for provider travel to and from my home?
Yes — providers can claim up to 30 minutes of travel time at the relevant support hourly rate, plus $0.99 per km (standard vehicle) or $2.76 per km (modified/wheelchair-accessible vehicle). This is in addition to the actual support hours. Read our NDIS transport funding guide for more.
Disclaimer
This article provides a general guide only and shouldn’t replace legal, financial or payroll advice. NDIS pricing arrangements are set by the National Disability Insurance Agency and can change — always verify current rates against the official NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26. SCHADS Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and can change — always verify current rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman SCHADS Award pay guide. The figures here are current at the time of writing (NDIS PAPL 2025-26 v1.1 published 14 October 2025; SCHADS rates effective 1 July 2025). Individual circumstances vary — for advice tailored to your situation, speak with your NDIS planner, plan manager, support coordinator, a registered payroll professional, or the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.
Next Steps — Talk to a Non-Profit NDIS Provider
Understanding NDIS support worker pay rates is only part of the picture. The real question is: are you getting value from your NDIS plan — and is your provider charging transparently?
At OneJesus Care, we’re a 100% non-profit NDIS provider operating across South-Western Sydney. Because every dollar stays in participant care (not shareholder profits), our price structure is open and transparent.
- Clear service agreements showing exactly what we charge for each support type
- Invoices that match the NDIS PAPL — no hidden fees, no overcharging
- Experienced support workers across all SCHADS levels, including high-intensity Level 3
- Multilingual staff reflecting the diverse Fairfield / Liverpool / Cumberland communities
- Full range of supports — SIL, SDA, ILO, respite, home care, community participation and transport
Call us on 1800 04 CARE (1800 04 2273) or contact us online. Alternatively, read our NDIS services explained guide or the Western Sydney provider guide.
