SCHADS Level 7 Pay Rate 2026–27
Current pay rates for Social and Community Services (SACS) Level 7 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 7 rates run from $63.13 to $65.77 per hour across 3 pay points; casuals start at $78.91 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)
- $63.13
- Hourly (pay point 3)
- $65.77
- Casual from
- $78.91 (incl. 25%)
- Approx. annual (full-time)
- $124,745–$129,958
- Saturday / Sunday
- 150% / 200%
- Rates effective
- 1 July 2026 (+4.75% AWR)
Tools & Resources
-
SCHADS AI Assistant
Get instant answers to award questions.
-
Timesheet Validator
Check timesheets for compliance.
What is SCHADS Level 7?
Level 7 in the Social and Community Services (SACS) stream covers senior management and principal specialist roles. Under Schedule B, a Level 7 employee operates under limited direction and exercises managerial responsibility for various functions within a section and/or the organisation — or operates as a specialist, a member of a specialised professional team, or independently. Employees at this level are involved in establishing operational procedures that shape what the whole organisation does and achieves.
The management of staff is normally a feature at this level, and employees set outcomes for the organisation and may negotiate on its behalf.
Typical Level 7 roles: senior managers, operations managers, area managers, principal practitioners and specialists.
SCHADS Level 7 pay rates from 1 July 2026 (full-time & part-time)
Minimum rates for full-time and part-time SACS Level 7 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 6 rates. See also Level 8 rates.
| Level 7 | Weekly | Hourly | Saturday (150%) | Sunday (200%) | Public holiday (250%) | Afternoon shift | Night shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $2,398.95 | $63.13 | $94.70 | $126.26 | $157.83 | $71.02 | $72.60 |
| Pay point 2 | $2,449.36 | $64.46 | $96.69 | $128.92 | $161.15 | $72.52 | $74.13 |
| Pay point 3 | $2,499.20 | $65.77 | $98.66 | $131.54 | $164.43 | $73.99 | $75.64 |
Casual SCHADS Level 7 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 7 (casual) | Hourly | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Afternoon shift | Night shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $78.91 | $110.48 | $142.04 | $173.61 | $86.80 | $88.38 |
| Pay point 2 | $80.58 | $112.81 | $145.04 | $177.27 | $88.63 | $90.24 |
| Pay point 3 | $82.21 | $115.10 | $147.98 | $180.87 | $90.43 | $92.08 |
SCHADS Level 7 annual salary
Annualised, a full-time Level 7 employee earns between approximately $124,745 (pay point 1) and $129,958 (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 7 | Weekly rate | Approx. annual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pay point 1 | $2,398.95 | $124,745 |
| Pay point 2 | $2,449.36 | $127,367 |
| Pay point 3 | $2,499.20 | $129,958 |
Qualifications and entry pay points
Schedule B of the award sets out the skills, experience and qualifications for Level 7. Typical entry routes:
- Qualifications generally beyond those acquired through tertiary education alone — typically completion of higher education qualifications
- Lesser formal qualifications with considerable skills and extensive relevant experience to an equivalent standard
- Or a combination of experience, expertise and competence sufficient to perform the duties at this level
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 7 vs Level 6 and Level 8
Both Level 6 and Level 7 operate under limited direction; the difference is reach. Level 6 shapes operational procedures in its own work area; Level 7 exercises managerial responsibility across a section or the organisation, with staff management as a normal feature and involvement in the control and coordination of major initiatives. At Level 8, direction becomes broad rather than limited, and responsibility extends to managing the organisation's relevant activity as a whole.
At these rates, a single misclassified year is a five-figure error. CrossVault's Timesheet Validator validates pay against classification on every timesheet.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SCHADS Level 7 hourly rate in 2026?
- From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum full-time/part-time SACS Level 7 rate is $63.13 per hour at pay point 1, rising to $65.77 at pay point 3. These figures include the Equal Remuneration Order.
- What does a casual SCHADS Level 7 employee earn?
- A casual Level 7 pay point 1 employee earns $78.91 per ordinary hour, which includes the 25% casual loading — rising to $110.48 on Saturdays, $142.04 on Sundays and $173.61 on public holidays.
- What is the SCHADS Level 7 annual salary?
- Approximately $124,745 to $129,958 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 7 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.
- What is the difference between SCHADS Level 6 and Level 7?
- Both operate under limited direction, but Level 6 shapes operational policies within its own work area while Level 7 carries managerial responsibility for functions across a section or the whole organisation, with staff management normally a feature of the role. Level 7 also involves controlling and coordinating major organisational initiatives.
- How do I move up from Level 7?
- There are two mechanisms: pay point progression within Level 7 (generally automatic after 12 months of service at a pay point, subject to competency) and reclassification to Level 8 when your actual duties match the higher level's Schedule B descriptors. Classification follows the work you actually perform, not your job title.
Automate SCHADS Compliance
Don't risk underpayments. CrossVault's AI engine validates every timesheet against the specific rules of the SCHADS Award.