Support Worker Income Calculator 2026-27

What this calculator is for

This page helps you turn hours and shift types into a rough gross income range. It is useful when you are comparing agency work with independent work, or when you want a ballpark before talking to an employer, accountant, or plan manager.

Employed (SCHADS) vs independent (NDIS caps)

Employed disability support workers are usually paid under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS, MA000100). The tool uses the award base rates (Level 1 to 3, pay point 1) with permanent penalty multipliers: Saturday 1.5x, Sunday 2.0x, and public holiday 2.5x. Casual staff add a 25% loading. These award penalties are separate from NDIS price caps.

Independent workers who invoice participants or plan managers are constrained by NDIS price limits for claimable supports. The calculator uses those caps so you can see the upper end of what might be charged for standard shift types, before business costs.

How shift mix and sleepovers change the total

Penalty shifts lift gross pay faster than adding the same hours on a weekday. If your percentages do not add to 100%, the tool still runs the maths but highlights the mismatch so you can fix your inputs.

Sleepovers use a flat per-shift amount in the tool. For employed workers this is the SCHADS sleepover allowance ($60.02 per shift, paid on top of any active hours), and for independent workers it is the NDIS night-time sleepover line item ($297.60 per shift). If you are paid hourly for an active overnight, model those hours in the shift percentages instead.

NDIS price limits and what participants see

Price limits are maximums for supports delivered under NDIS rules, not a guarantee that every worker invoices at the cap. Participants and plan managers still review value and reasonableness. Carevo connects participants with providers; it does not set your pay as a worker.

Tax, super, and next steps

Gross income is not take-home pay. Employees have PAYG withholding and employer super; sole traders manage tax instalments, super, and insurance themselves. Use this estimate as a conversation starter with a registered tax agent or your payroll team.