SCHADS Level 4 Salary: Hourly Rates, Annual Pay and Fortnightly Earnings Explained
For a full-time SCHADS Level 4 employee at pay point 1, the annual salary is approximately $92,286 based on 38 hours per week at $46.70 per hour.
Understanding the SCHADS Level 4 Salary
If you are a community services worker, a team leader, or a coordinator covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award), you may be classified at Level 4. This article explains how to convert your hourly rate into an annual salary, what fortnightly earnings look like, and how the SCHADS Level 4 salary compares with the National Minimum Wage and average weekly earnings.
How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Salary
The basic formula is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time employee under the SCHADS Award, the standard week is 38 ordinary hours. So if you are paid $46.70 per hour (SCHADS Level 4, pay point 1), your annual salary is:
$46.70 × 38 × 52 = $92,286
This is the gross amount before tax, Medicare levy, and superannuation. The same formula works for any hourly rate. If you are part-time, use your agreed weekly hours. For casual employees, the hourly rate already includes a 25% loading, but the annualisation is still based on the casual rate times hours worked.
SCHADS Level 4 Pay Rates from 1 July 2026
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and the SCHADS Award, the minimum rates for Level 4 employees in the Social and Community Services (SACS) stream are as follows. The rates below include the Equal Remuneration Order and the 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
| Level 4 Pay Point | Hourly Rate (full-time/part-time) | Weekly Rate (38 hours) | Approx. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $46.70 | $1,774.74 | $92,286 |
| Pay point 2 | $47.92 | $1,821.07 | $94,696 |
| Pay point 3 | $49.16 | $1,867.93 | $97,132 |
| Pay point 4 | $50.25 | $1,909.51 | $99,295 |
These are minimum rates. Employers can pay above the award, and enterprise agreements may set different terms, but not lower overall.
Fortnightly Earnings for SCHADS Level 4
Fortnightly pay is simply the weekly rate multiplied by two. For a Level 4 pay point 1 employee, the fortnightly gross pay is $1,774.74 × 2 = $3,549.48. This can be useful for budgeting or comparing with salary packaging limits.
Casual Loading and Penalty Rates
Casual employees under the SCHADS Award receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For Level 4 pay point 1, the casual rate is $46.70 × 1.25 = $58.38 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Penalty rates for weekends and public holidays are paid on top of the casual rate. For example, Saturday work is paid at 150% of the base rate (or 150% of the casual rate if applicable). The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and check a box to add the 25% casual loading automatically.
Comparing SCHADS Level 4 with the National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for award/agreement-free adult employees, or $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. SCHADS Level 4 rates are substantially higher – about 77% above the minimum wage at pay point 1. This reflects the specialised skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required at Level 4, such as supervising staff, managing complex cases, or providing expert advice.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A SCHADS Level 4 employee at pay point 1 earns $1,774.74 per week, which is about 85% of the national average. However, many SCHADS employees work additional penalty shifts or overtime, which can lift actual earnings above the base rate.
Tax and Superannuation on a SCHADS Level 4 Salary
Your annual gross pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the 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
Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption).
Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (the super guarantee rate for 2026–27). For a SCHADS Level 4 employee earning $92,286, the super contribution would be $92,286 × 12% = $11,074.32, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional payment from your employer.
Using the Hourly to Annual Conversion Tool
Our hourly conversion tool helps you quickly see your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay based on your hourly rate. Remember to enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) and check the casual loading box if you are a casual employee. The tool uses the standard 38-hour week but you can adjust hours if you work part-time.
Key Takeaways
- The SCHADS Level 4 salary ranges from $92,286 to $99,295 per year for full-time work at 38 hours per week.
- Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base rate, bringing the hourly rate to $58.38 at pay point 1.
- Fortnightly pay for Level 4 pay point 1 is $3,549.48.
- These rates are minimums; actual pay may be higher with penalty rates, allowances, or enterprise agreements.
- Superannuation of 12% is paid on top, and tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident brackets.
For more information on award rates and pay guides, visit the pay guides page. To compare your pay with industry averages, see our average pay topic.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.