Understanding the SCHADS Award: Why It Matters for Support Workers, Coordinators & Participants

Introduction
In the world of disability services, the work of support workers and coordinators is vital. But what ensures they are treated fairly, paid properly and given the conditions they deserve? That’s where the SCHADS Award comes in. Whether you’re a support worker, support coordinator or NDIS participant understanding the SCHADS Award helps everyone get the most out of the NDIS.

🔹 What is the SCHADS Award?
The SCHADS Award stands for:
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
It is a set of minimum employment standards that apply to most people working in the community and disability services sector in Australia. This includes:
• Support Workers
• Support Coordinators
• Team Leaders & Admin Staff in care services
It covers wages, working hours, leave, overtime, penalties, sleepover allowances and more.

🔹 Why is the SCHADS Award Important?
✅ For Support Workers:
• Ensures fair pay based on their role, experience and qualifications.
• Protects their working conditions (like breaks, shift allowances and leave entitlements).
• Helps them feel valued, secure and respected in their roles.
✅ For Support Coordinators:
• Clarifies entitlements and boundaries in flexible work.
• Supports professional growth through clear classification levels.
• Encourages job stability and transparency.
✅ For Participants & Families:
• Ensures their care team is being treated fairly, reducing turnover and improving service quality.
• Builds trust and accountability between providers and clients.
• Helps ensure continuity of care by supporting a happy and motivated workforce.

🔹 How Does It Work Each Year?
The SCHADS Award is reviewed by the Fair Work Commission each year (typically in 1st July):
• Annual pay increases
• Updates to allowances (e.g. vehicle mileage, sleepovers)
• Changes to working hour rules (e.g. minimum shift lengths)
Employers (including NDIS providers) must keep up to date to ensure compliance.

🔹 Real-World Example
Let’s say a support worker does a sleepover shift thanks to SCHADS, they must be paid a set sleepover allowance even if they’re not actively working the whole night. This protects their time and ensures they are compensated fairly.
Similarly, if a participant relies on their regular support worker, SCHADS helps ensure that worker is happy, supported and not burned out which is better for everyone.

🔹 Why Providers Need to Stay Compliant
For NDIS registered providers like us, compliance with the SCHADS Award is not optional it’s essential. It ensures:
• Legal compliance with Fair Work laws
• Protection against underpayment claims
• A stronger, happier, more professional workforce
We believe in respecting and rewarding our team — because when our staff are supported, our participants thrive.

🔹 In Summary
The SCHADS Award plays a critical role in the NDIS world. It protects workers, strengthens service delivery and supports the sustainability of the sector. At 9D Care, we stay up to date and compliant because fairness, quality and integrity matter to us.

📞 Need Help Navigating NDIS Services?
Whether you’re looking for dedicated support workers or personalised support coordination our team is here to help fairly, professionally and with care.

Call us on – 1800 717 678
Email – enquire@9dcare.com.au
Website – https://www.9dcare.com.au/