SCHADS Level 6 Pay Rate 2026–27
Current pay rates for Social and Community Services (SACS) Level 6 under the SCHADS Award (MA000100), effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 — including the 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase. Full-time and part-time Level 6 rates run from $58.37 to $60.95 per hour across 3 pay points; casuals start at $72.96 per hour including the 25% loading. These rates already include the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) — they are the final payable minimums.
Quick Facts
- Hourly (pay point 1)
- $58.37
- Hourly (pay point 3)
- $60.95
- Casual from
- $72.96 (incl. 25%)
- Approx. annual (full-time)
- $115,337–$120,440
- Saturday / Sunday
- 150% / 200%
- Rates effective
- 1 July 2026 (+4.75% AWR)
Tools & Resources
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What is SCHADS Level 6?
Level 6 in the Social and Community Services (SACS) stream is the first genuinely managerial classification. Under Schedule B, a Level 6 employee operates under limited direction and undertakes functions for which operational policies, practices and guidelines may need to be developed — rather than applied. Employees at this level are expected to contribute to the management of the organisation, assist with or prepare budgets, establish procedures and work practices, and may negotiate matters on behalf of the organisation.
The level suits both managers and senior specialists: an employee may exercise managerial responsibility, work independently as a specialist, or be a senior member of a single-discipline project team.
Typical Level 6 roles: program managers, service managers, senior specialists, senior project leads.
SCHADS Level 6 pay rates from 1 July 2026 (full-time & part-time)
Minimum rates for full-time and part-time SACS Level 6 employees. Penalty rates shown are for ordinary hours worked on those days; afternoon shift (finishes after 8pm Mon–Fri) adds 12.5% and night shift adds 15%, applied to the whole shift. Compare: Level 5 rates. See also Level 7 rates.
| Level 6 | Weekly | Hourly | Saturday (150%) | Sunday (200%) | Public holiday (250%) | Afternoon shift | Night shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $2,218.02 | $58.37 | $87.56 | $116.74 | $145.93 | $65.67 | $67.13 |
| Pay point 2 | $2,267.02 | $59.66 | $89.49 | $119.32 | $149.15 | $67.12 | $68.61 |
| Pay point 3 | $2,316.16 | $60.95 | $91.43 | $121.90 | $152.38 | $68.57 | $70.09 |
Casual SCHADS Level 6 rates (including 25% loading)
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. The rates below already include it. For how the loading interacts with weekend penalties, see our casual loading guide.
| Level 6 (casual) | Hourly | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Afternoon shift | Night shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $72.96 | $102.15 | $131.33 | $160.52 | $80.26 | $81.72 |
| Pay point 2 | $74.58 | $104.41 | $134.24 | $164.07 | $82.03 | $83.52 |
| Pay point 3 | $76.19 | $106.66 | $137.14 | $167.61 | $83.81 | $85.33 |
SCHADS Level 6 annual salary
Annualised, a full-time Level 6 employee earns between approximately $115,337 (pay point 1) and $120,440 (pay point 3) — calculated as the weekly rate × 52 for a 38-hour week, before any weekend penalties, shift loadings, overtime or allowances. In practice, rostered weekend and shift work can lift actual earnings well above the base salary.
| Level 6 | Weekly rate | Approx. annual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $2,218.02 | $115,337 |
| Pay point 2 | $2,267.02 | $117,885 |
| Pay point 3 | $2,316.16 | $120,440 |
Qualifications and entry pay points
Schedule B of the award sets out the skills, experience and qualifications for Level 6. Typical entry routes:
- Degree with substantial experience
- Postgraduate qualification
- Associate diploma with substantial experience
- Or a combination of experience, expertise and competence sufficient to perform the duties, attained through previous appointments, service and/or study
Within the level, employees generally progress one pay point after each 12 months of service at that point, subject to demonstrated competency — see our pay point progression guide.
Level 6 vs Level 5 and Level 7
The step up from Level 5 is about direction and scope: Level 5 works under general direction within programs; Level 6 operates under limited direction and shapes the operational policies other staff work within. At Level 7, managerial responsibility extends across a whole section or the organisation, with staff management a normal feature of the role.
Organisations often under-classify service managers at Level 5 'coordinator' rates. Because classification follows the duties actually performed, that gap is recoverable as back pay. CrossVault's Timesheet Validator checks pay against classification automatically.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SCHADS Level 6 hourly rate in 2026?
- From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum full-time/part-time SACS Level 6 rate is $58.37 per hour at pay point 1, rising to $60.95 at pay point 3. These figures include the Equal Remuneration Order.
- What does a casual SCHADS Level 6 employee earn?
- A casual Level 6 pay point 1 employee earns $72.96 per ordinary hour, which includes the 25% casual loading — rising to $102.15 on Saturdays, $131.33 on Sundays and $160.52 on public holidays.
- What is the SCHADS Level 6 annual salary?
- Approximately $115,337 to $120,440 a year for full-time work, depending on pay point (weekly rate × 52, 38-hour week). Weekend penalties, shift loadings, overtime and allowances are paid on top of this base.
- Is the SCHADS Level 6 pay rate different in NSW, Victoria or Queensland?
- No. The SCHADS Award is a national modern award, so the minimum rates for each classification are identical in every state and territory. Employers can pay above the minimum, and an enterprise agreement can set different (but not lower overall) terms.
- Is SCHADS Level 6 a management level?
- Yes — Schedule B describes Level 6 as operating under limited direction, contributing to management of the organisation, preparing or assisting with budgets, and developing operational policies. It also fits senior specialists working independently. Program managers and service managers are typically classified here.
- How do I move up from Level 6?
- There are two mechanisms: pay point progression within Level 6 (generally automatic after 12 months of service at a pay point, subject to competency) and reclassification to Level 7 when your actual duties match the higher level's Schedule B descriptors. Classification follows the work you actually perform, not your job title.
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