SCHADS Travel & KM Allowance Calculator
By CrossVault · Updated
CrossVault's SCHADS travel allowance calculator estimates the two payments that can apply when a worker drives between clients: the $1.05/km vehicle allowance under clause 20.7(a) (a temporary rate until 28 February 2027; $1.01/km otherwise), and paid travel time where the worker remains engaged across the drive. It excludes ordinary commuting from home to the first client and from the last client home.
Quick Facts
- Vehicle allowance floor
- $1.05/km from the first full pay period on or after 1 Sep 2026 to 28 Feb 2027; $1.01/km otherwise
- Travel time
- Paid where the worker remains engaged across the drive
- Commute
- Generally excluded
- Both can apply
- Km allowance plus paid time
- Related rule
- Broken-shift gaps and minimum engagements may also apply
- Source
- SCHADS cl.20.7(a), cl.10.5 and cl.25.6 interactions
Tools & Resources
-
SCHADS AI Assistant
Get instant answers to award questions.
-
Timesheet Validator
Check timesheets for compliance.
-
Free Payslip Check
For workers: compare your payslip to the award minimums.
Calculate Travel Allowance and Travel Time
Do not include the home-to-first-client commute.
$1.05 applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 Sep 2026 to 28 Feb 2027. Use $1.01 outside that window.
Use only time where the worker stayed engaged across the drive.
| Vehicle allowance at $1.05/km | |
| Travel time pay | |
| Km allowance shortfall at paid rate |
This calculator estimates the award floor. Providers may pay above the award rate. Travel time should be included only where the worker remains engaged across the drive; a long unpaid gap may instead be a broken shift.
What counts as eligible kilometres
Why travel time is separate
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SCHADS travel allowance rate in 2026?
- The minimum vehicle allowance under clause 20.7(a) is $1.05 per kilometre from the first full pay period on or after 1 September 2026 until 28 February 2027 ([2026] FWCFB 224). Outside that window the 1 July 2026 rate of $1.01 per kilometre applies. Providers can pay more, but not less.
- Does the calculator include travel from home to the first client?
- No. Home to the first client, and the last client home, is generally commuting and is excluded. The calculator is for authorised work travel such as driving between clients.
- Is travel time paid as well as kilometres?
- Where the worker remains engaged across the drive, yes. The kilometres attract the vehicle allowance and the time is paid at the applicable hourly, penalty or overtime rate.
- What if payroll paid less than the award km rate?
- The calculator shows the gap between the award rate and the rate entered. Paying below the SCHADS minimum creates a per-kilometre shortfall.
Check your pay against these rates automatically
Upload a timesheet export and CrossVault checks every shift against the SCHADS Award, with the clause cited.
For providers
Find underpayments before Fair Work does
ShiftCare, Deputy, Employment Hero or Xero exports. Sleepovers, broken shifts, overtime and penalties checked shift by shift.
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For support workers
Were you paid right?
Upload your payslip and check it against the SCHADS Award.