Guides
NDIS Billing vs SCHADS Wages: What’s Different?
NDIS price limits concern support billing. Where SCHADS covers an employee, SCHADS wage minimums are separate and do not come from NDIS billing schedules.
Where the SCHADS Award covers an employee, its minimum wage requirements are separate from NDIS price limits. NDIS price limits concern support billing; they do not set an employee’s award classification or wage. AwardGuard compares selected SCHADS adult base rates with what an employer enters. General information only.
What is an NDIS price limit?
NDIS pricing arrangements set limits and rules for claiming supports using participant funding. They are administered in the NDIS framework, not as modern award wage tables. Official overview: NDIS — Pricing arrangements.
What is a SCHADS wage floor?
SCHADS (MA000100) sets minimum wages and conditions for employees covered by that award. Current adult base rates are published in the Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. Instrument: SCHADS Industry Award 2010 (MA000100).
Side-by-side: billing versus wages
| Topic | NDIS price limit | SCHADS wage floor |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Caps / rules for claiming funded supports | Minimum pay and conditions for covered employees |
| Who it binds | Providers claiming under NDIS pricing rules | Employers of employees covered by SCHADS |
| Official source | NDIS pricing arrangements | FWC pay database + award |
| Equals the other? | No — a price limit is not evidence of a lawful wage, and a wage minimum is not an NDIS claim rate | |
| AwardGuard role | Does not calculate NDIS claim prices | Checks adult SCHADS base rates you enter against FWC data |
Practical steps for employers
- Set wages from the award (and any applicable enterprise agreement), using official Fair Work sources.
- Set billing/claiming from current NDIS pricing arrangements for the support type and rules that apply.
- Do not treat a claimed hourly support price as proof that wages are compliant — or vice versa.
- Use NDIS support worker pay rates under SCHADS and SCHADS award rates when checking adult base wages.
Check a pay rate free — free account required, no card. Compare what you pay with adult base minimums sourced from the Fair Work Commission Pay Database when available. Always confirm against the award instrument — the award prevails.
Limitations
- This comparison is educational only and does not interpret your contracts, plan management setup, or award coverage.
- AwardGuard is not affiliated with or endorsed by NDIS, the Fair Work Commission, or the Fair Work Ombudsman.
- Figures on either side can change; always verify current official publications.
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026 · Authored by AwardGuard (organisation).
General information only — not legal or workplace-relations advice. The applicable modern award always prevails. Rates and classifications should be verified against the Fair Work Commission — Modern Awards Pay Database. AwardGuard is not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission, Fair Work Ombudsman, or NDIS.