SCHADS refers to the “Standard Classification of Health and Disability Services.” This Legal Kitz blog post will cover all you need to know about the SCHADS Award.
What is the SCHADS award?
The SCHADS Award is a classification system used in Australia to describe the different types of health and disability services provided to people struggling with physical and mental health conditions. The SCHADS Award is a set of industry-specific minimum wages and working conditions for the community service sector, which includes organisations that provide health and disability services. It is designed to ensure that workers in this sector are paid fairly and receive appropriate working conditions. The award sets minimum standards for things like wages, hours of work, leave entitlements, and other employment conditions.
SCHADS Award Pay
The minimum pay rates under the award are based on the employee’s classification and level of experience and are reviewed annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.
As of 2021, the minimum pay rates for full-time employees under the award range from $26.03 to $36.90 per hour, depending on the employee’s experience and classification. The award defines several classifications of employees, including disability support workers, community care workers, and case managers, each with their own minimum pay rate. Part-time employees and casual employees are entitled to a pro-rata rate of pay, based on the full-time minimum pay rate for their classification.
It’s important to note that the SCHADS Award only sets minimum standards, and many employers may choose to pay their employees more than the award rate. Additionally, the award is only applicable to employees working in the community service sector in Australia. Other industries may have different minimum pay requirements.
What are the different SCHADS levels?
The SCHADS Award defines several levels or classifications of employees in the community service sector in Australia. Each level represents a different level of skill, responsibility, and experience required for the job, and is associated with a different minimum pay rate.
Here is a summary of the main levels defined in the SCHADS Award:
- Level 1: Disability Support Worker: This level is for entry-level employees who provide direct support to individuals with disabilities or other health conditions. This may include tasks such as personal care, home support, and transportation.
- Level 2: Community Care Worker: This level is for employees who have some experience and responsibility in providing direct support to individuals with disabilities or other health conditions. This may include tasks such as developing and implementing care plans and providing more complex support services.
- Level 3: Case Manager: This level is for employees who are responsible for coordinating and managing the delivery of support services to individuals with disabilities or other health conditions. This may include tasks such as assessing needs, developing and implementing care plans, and monitoring service delivery.
- Level 4: SCHADS Award Level 4 applies to workers with more senior or advanced roles, such as team leaders, coordinators, or managers.
Legal advice
If you are an employer or an employee in the Health and Disability Services industry, being familiar with the SCHADS award is crucial to your interests whether that be holding your employer to account if they are failing to provide you with the standards you deserve or to ensure as an employer that you are complying with industrial regulations. If you as an employer or employee are not confident about your rights/obligations in relation to the SCHADS award, contact Legal Kitz.
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