Support coordinator salary: award rates and the legal minimum

Understanding the support coordinator salary

A support coordinator helps people with disabilities or complex needs navigate services and funding, often under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The role is typically covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (the SCHADS Award). Because the work is skilled and often involves case management, the minimum pay is higher than the national minimum wage. This guide explains the legal pay floor for a support coordinator salary and what factors can push pay above the minimum.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage vs award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. However, most support coordinators are not award-free. The SCHADS Award sets higher minimum rates for different classifications. If your employer has an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set rates above the award. The national minimum wage acts as a backstop: no award or agreement can pay less than that, but the award rate is the relevant minimum for most support coordinators.

SCHADS Award minimum rates for support coordinators

Support coordinators are often classified at Level 4 or Level 5 under the SCHADS Award, depending on their responsibilities, experience, and qualifications. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s SCHADS Award pay guide shows the following minimum weekly and hourly rates for full-time employees from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026:

• Level 4, pay point 1: $1,774.74 per week, $46.70 per hour
• Level 4, pay point 2: $1,821.07 per week, $47.92 per hour
• Level 4, pay point 3: $1,867.93 per week, $49.16 per hour
• Level 4, pay point 4: $1,909.51 per week, $50.25 per hour
• Level 5, pay point 1: $2,030.20 per week, $53.43 per hour

These rates are the legal minimums. Many support coordinators earn more, especially if they have advanced qualifications or work under an enterprise agreement. The rates also include penalty loadings for weekend, public holiday, and shift work. For example, Saturday work attracts a 50% loading, Sunday 100%, and public holidays 150%.

How superannuation fits

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of the support coordinator salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if your minimum hourly rate is $46.70, your employer must also contribute $5.60 per hour (12%) into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

What about casual support coordinators?

Casual employees under the SCHADS Award receive a 25% casual loading on the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 4.1 support coordinator, the casual minimum would be approximately $58.38 per hour (before penalty rates). Casual employees also get penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave.

Comparing to other benchmarks

The ABS’s May 2026 survey of employee earnings shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. The SCHADS Award minimum for a Level 4.1 support coordinator ($1,774.74) sits above the all-employees average but below the full-time average. This reflects the skilled nature of the role. However, entry-level support coordinators at Level 3 may earn less, around $1,538.59 per week (Level 3.1).

Factors that can increase a support coordinator salary

• Classification level: Higher pay points within a level or moving to Level 5 or above.
• Enterprise agreements: Some employers have agreements that provide higher wages or additional benefits.
• Experience and qualifications: Advanced diplomas or degrees may lead to a higher classification.
• Location: Some awards have location-based allowances, though SCHADS does not have a specific geographic allowance.
• Casual or part-time status: Casual loading adds 25%, and part-time employees receive the same hourly rate as full-time.

How to check your pay floor

If you are a support coordinator, first confirm which award covers you. Most are under the SCHADS Award. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate your minimum pay based on your classification. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies. Always check your pay slip to ensure your hourly rate is at least the award minimum, and that super is being paid on top.

For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables on this site.

Common misconceptions

• The national minimum wage is not the floor for award-covered workers. If you are under the SCHADS Award, your minimum is the award rate, which is higher.
• Super is not part of your hourly rate. It is an additional payment by the employer.
• Casual loading is not a penalty rate. It is a separate entitlement for not receiving paid leave.
• Junior rates may apply if you are under 21 and award-free, but the SCHADS Award has its own junior rates.

Final note

The figures in this guide are based on the SCHADS Award pay guide published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the national minimum wage determination by the Fair Work Commission. Always refer to the official sources for the most current rates. Your actual salary may be higher if you have negotiated a higher rate or are covered by an enterprise agreement.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.