Changes to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award
Published 21 September 2026
Learn more about changes to classifications and minimum pay rates in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award.
On this page:
- What's changing
- Pay increases for home care employees performing disability care work
- Keep up to date
- Related information
What's changing
As part of its Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review, the Fair Work Commission has made changes to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award.
These changes include:
- new definitions in the award
- changes to rules about progression between pay points
- a new classification structure
- changes to minimum pay rates.
Most of these changes start from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2027.
However, home care disability employees will receive an initial increase to their minimum award rates from 1 December 2026. Keep reading to find out more.
We’ll have more information about these changes soon. To be notified when we update this page, subscribe to our email updates.
In the meantime, read the Commission’s decision.
Pay increases for home care employees performing disability care work
Home care employees who provide disability care will receive an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rate. This increase starts from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026.
Any remaining increase to minimum award rates will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2027.
The rates that apply from 1 October 2027 will include any changes resulting from the 2027 Annual Wage Review.
Prepare for the changes
Pay rates that apply from 1 December 2026 are available in our Pay and Conditions Tool.
The 1 December 2026 pay guide for the award can be accessed at Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] Pay Guide (DOCX) (PDF)Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] Pay Guide
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