Support worker salary in Australia
Support workers provide essential care and assistance to people with disabilities, the elderly, and the aged. Their pay is influenced by award coverage, industry, and location. This page uses the latest official data to show where support worker salaries sit against the national full-time average.
The national benchmark
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. This is the reference line on this site. The full-time median is lower at about $90,532 a year, while the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025).
Support worker pay: what the data shows
The ABS does not publish a specific occupation breakdown for support workers. However, the industry that covers most support workers—health care and social assistance—had a full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,037.20 per week in May 2026. That works out to about $105,934 a year. This is slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352. For men in the industry the average is $2,474.10 per week ($128,653 a year), and for women $1,875.50 per week ($97,526 a year). The gender pay gap within the industry reflects the higher proportion of women in lower-paid roles.
Many support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS). Fair Work sets minimum rates under this award, updated each year after the Annual Wage Review. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week). Award minimums for SCHADS are higher than the national minimum, with levels depending on the role and classification. The exact rates are available in the Modern Awards Pay Database from Fair Work.
State and territory variations
Support worker pay also varies by state. The national full-time averages for each state are:
- New South Wales: about $109,658 a year
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
These are full-time adult ordinary-time averages from the ABS. Support workers in WA and the ACT tend to earn above the national average, while those in Tasmania and SA are below.
A resident take-home sketch
If a support worker earns the health care and social assistance industry average of $105,934 a year, their tax for 2026–27 would be calculated on the resident tax brackets: nil up to $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000), 30% on the next $90,000 (to $135,000), and so on. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. The estimated take-home pay is around $78,000–$80,000 a year, depending on any deductions. This is about $1,500–$1,600 per week.
Compare that with the national full-time average of $108,352 a year, where take-home is about $80,000–$82,000. The difference in take-home is smaller than the difference in gross pay.
How the figures are set
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is released twice a year, for May and November. The next release is February 2027. The medians come from the ABS Employee earnings survey, last released August 2025. Fair Work sets the national minimum wage and award rates after the Annual Wage Review. All figures are before tax unless stated.
FAQs
What is the typical pay for a support worker in Australia? The ABS does not publish a specific support worker salary. The health care and social assistance industry full-time average is $2,037 per week ($105,934 a year). Many support workers are covered by the SCHADS award, with minimum rates set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026.
How does the support worker salary compare with the national full-time average? The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year). The health care and social assistance industry average is slightly lower at $2,037 per week. The all-employees median is $1,425 per week ($74,100 a year.
What is the take-home pay for a support worker on the industry average? On the health care and social assistance full-time average of $105,934 a year, after tax and Medicare levy (2026–27 rates) the take-home is roughly $78,000–$80,000, depending on deductions. Use the site's line tool for a precise estimate.
Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares with the national full-time average.
Industry medians for health care and social assistance are available on the [Industry medians](/industries] page.
How the figures are set explains the sources and methods.
About this site has more about the site.
Conclusion
Support worker salaries in Australia are not published as a single figure, but the industry average provides a useful benchmark. It sits slightly below the national full-time average. Award rates and state variations affect actual pay. Use the tools on this site to see where your pay sits on the line.