NDIS support coordinator salary: 2026 guide

Support coordination is one of the most important roles in the NDIS ecosystem — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to pay. If you're considering a career in support coordination, or you're an NDIS provider trying to build a competitive offer to attract the right people, this guide gives you the numbers you need.

We've drawn on the SCHADS Award (MA000100) pay guide, the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26, and specialist recruiter market observations to put together an accurate, practical picture of what support coordinators earn in Australia today.

Support coordinator salary overview

For NDIS-specific community services roles, typical salaries for employed support coordinators are typically $80,000–$95,000, with the SCHADS award setting a full-time floor of $76,377 (Level 3) rising to $114,980 (Level 6), and senior specialists and team leaders earning above that range.

Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award), which governs most NDIS support coordination employment in Australia, classification levels range from Level 3 through to Level 6 for support coordination work. Annual salaries at these levels (effective 1 October 2025, including Equal Remuneration Order loadings) run from approximately $76,377 to $114,980, depending on classification and pay point. The advertised market for experienced coordinators tends to cluster in the $80,000–$90,000 band, with roles at the top of that range typically requiring specialist qualifications or leadership responsibilities.

The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 sets the maximum hourly rate providers can charge participants for support coordination — $100.14 per hour for Level 2 (Coordination of Supports) and $190.54 per hour for Level 3 (Specialist Support Coordination). These are billing limits for providers, not take-home wages for workers, but they set the ceiling from which salaries are ultimately drawn.

What does an NDIS support coordinator do?

A support coordinator helps NDIS participants understand, access, and make the most of their funded plan. The role sits between the NDIA (the agency that funds participants) and the network of service providers delivering day-to-day supports.

Day-to-day, support coordinators:

• Help participants understand what their NDIS plan funds and what they're entitled to
• Connect participants with appropriate service providers — from therapists to support workers to accommodation options
• Resolve service gaps, crises, and plan underutilisation
• Liaise with mainstream services (hospitals, schools, housing) alongside NDIS supports
• Report to the NDIA on plan implementation progress
• Support participants to build their own capacity over time, so they can self-direct more of their plan

It's a complex, relationship-intensive role that requires a strong grasp of the NDIS framework, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently across a caseload that often includes participants with varied and complex needs.

The NDIS funds three distinct types of coordination — and each comes with its own billing rate and, in turn, its own salary expectations. We'll cover those below.

Salary by experience level

Your starting point on the SCHADS Award depends on your experience and qualifications. Here's how the trajectory typically looks for an employed support coordinator at an NDIS provider.

Entry level (0–2 years)

New to the role or coming from a related background like disability support work or community services? You'll likely start at SCHADS Level 3 (1st or 2nd year), which equates to a base hourly rate of $38.65–$41.45 and an annual salary of approximately $76,377–$81,907 (based on a 38-hour week).

Entry-level coordinators typically carry smaller caseloads and are supervised more closely. Many will have a Certificate IV in Disability, Social Work degree, or be working towards relevant qualifications.

Mid-level (2–5 years)

With a few years of experience and demonstrated capacity to manage a caseload independently, you'll move into SCHADS Level 4 territory — roughly $44.58–$47.97 per hour, or approximately $88,099–$94,792 per year.

This is where many support coordinators spend the bulk of their career. At Level 4, you're expected to handle complex participants, work autonomously, and start building specialist knowledge in areas like mental health, acquired brain injury, or paediatric supports.

Experienced and senior (5+ years)

Senior support coordinators with specialist expertise, leadership responsibilities, or complex caseloads will generally be classified at SCHADS Level 5 — $51.00–$53.31 per hour, or roughly $100,783–$105,350 per year.

Team leaders, senior coordinators mentoring junior staff, or those with significant specialist expertise may reach Level 6, which pays $55.72–$58.19 per hour — approximately $110,110–$114,980 annually.

Summary table: SCHADS Award Schedule B — support coordination (effective 1 October 2025)

Source: SCHADS Award (MA000100) pay guide, effective 1 October 2025. Annual salaries calculated on 38 hours x 52 weeks.

Looking for your next support coordination role?

Patterson Recruitment works with NDIS providers across Australia to place support coordinators, disability services managers, and senior NDIS leaders. Register your interest and we'll reach out when a role that fits your experience comes up.

Salary by coordination level

The NDIS funds three types of coordination support, and the level you're working at has a significant bearing on your pay.

Level 1: Support connection ($80.06/hr NDIS rate)

Support connection is a lighter-touch form of assistance, usually time-limited, focused on helping participants connect with their initial supports. Roles at this level are typically entry-level community services positions and sit at the lower end of the salary range — $60,000–$68,000 for most employed workers.

Level 2: Coordination of supports ($100.14/hr NDIS rate)

This is the most common form of support coordination. Coordinators at Level 2 manage complex, ongoing relationships with participants who need sustained support across multiple service providers. Employed workers in these roles typically earn $70,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience and employer.

Level 3: Specialist support coordination ($190.54/hr NDIS rate)

Specialist support coordinators work with participants facing the most complex circumstances — significant mental health diagnoses, acquired brain injury, or situations requiring intensive service system navigation. The role demands advanced qualifications (typically a degree in social work, occupational therapy, or psychology) and substantial sector experience.

The much higher billing rate reflects this complexity. Employed specialist support coordinators generally earn $85,000–$100,000+ per year, with some senior specialists in organisations with strong clinical governance structures earning above that range.

Psychosocial recovery coach ($105.43/hr NDIS weekday rate)

Psychosocial recovery coaches are a distinct role — not formally classified as support coordination — focused specifically on participants with psychosocial disability (primarily mental health conditions). The role is typically filled by people with lived experience of mental health challenges and/or qualifications in mental health or peer work.

The NDIS weekday daytime rate for psychosocial recovery coaching is $105.43 per hour (2025–26). Employed coaches generally earn $75,000–$90,000 per year.

Source: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26, effective 1 July 2025.

Salary by state

Support coordinator salaries vary across Australia, driven by cost of living, labour market conditions, and the density of NDIS providers in each region. The SCHADS Award sets nationally consistent minimum rates, so state-level variation in practice comes from employer-level enterprise agreements, local labour market competition, and loadings for remote delivery.

Based on specialist recruiter market observations:

Source: specialist recruiter market observations. Ranges reflect mid-to-senior employed coordinators and will vary by employer, experience, and classification level.

A few things worth noting. The higher ranges in the ACT and NT reflect the higher cost of living and the demand for experienced coordinators in those markets. Victoria and South Australia, while at the lower end of the range, have large concentrations of NDIS providers and more competitive candidate pools — which can moderate advertised salaries.

Remote and very remote area loading under the NDIS pricing arrangements is also worth understanding. Providers delivering support coordination in remote areas can access a 40% loading for remote areas and a 50% loading for very remote areas on the standard hourly rate, which in turn supports higher pay for coordinators working in those locations.

Support coordinator vs support worker salary comparison

One of the most common questions we hear from people considering a career move within the disability sector is how support coordination compares to direct support work.

The salary premium for support coordination reflects the additional complexity, responsibility, and typically the higher qualification requirements. A support coordinator is generally expected to hold at minimum a Certificate IV in Disability, Community Services, or a related field — and many specialist coordinators hold degree-level qualifications in social work, psychology, or allied health.

That said, experienced disability support workers with complex caseload experience and strong sector knowledge are well positioned to transition into coordination roles. If you're considering that move, Patterson Recruitment can help you understand what employers are looking for and where your experience maps to.

Read more: Social worker salary guide | Purpose-driven career guide

Career progression and salary growth

Support coordination offers a clear career ladder within the disability sector — and for the right person, strong upward mobility.

Starting out (SCHADS Level 3–4): Most coordinators enter at Level 3 and progress to Level 4 within two to three years as they build independent caseload management and deepen their NDIS knowledge.

Building expertise (SCHADS Level 4–5): Senior coordinators often specialise — in mental health, paediatric supports, ABI, or the aged care-NDIS interface. This builds their value and positioning for specialist or leadership roles, with salary moving into the $88,000–$105,000 range.

Leadership and specialist pathways (SCHADS Level 5–6): From here, the career can branch in a few directions:

• Specialist support coordinator — higher-complexity work, smaller caseload, advanced qualifications required, significant salary premium.
• Team leader or coordination manager — overseeing a coordinator team, managing referrals and caseload allocation. Typically Level 5–6, sometimes with management allowances.
• NDIS consultant or trainer — systems design, workforce training, or sector consulting.
• Registered NDIS provider / sole trader — some experienced coordinators establish their own practice. Revenue potential is higher, but business costs and income variability need to be factored in.

Salary packaging — an often-overlooked benefit

Many NDIS providers are not-for-profit organisations, which means their employees may be eligible for salary packaging — the ability to pay certain expenses from pre-tax income, effectively increasing take-home pay without the employer increasing base salary.

Under ATO concessional caps, NFP employees can package up to $15,900 per year in general living expenses (meals, mortgage, rent, utilities) tax-free. This can be worth $3,000–$5,000 per year in additional take-home pay depending on your marginal tax rate — a meaningful supplement to the figures quoted throughout this guide.

If you're comparing job offers, always ask whether the employer offers salary packaging and what cap applies. It can make a real difference to your effective take-home.

NDIS leadership and management salaries

Support coordination is a launchpad, not a ceiling. For coordinators thinking beyond the caseload — or for NDIS providers building out their leadership structure — here's where the salary picture shifts meaningfully.

As you move into team leadership and management roles within disability services, the SCHADS Award remains the foundation, but enterprise agreements and market competition at senior levels mean salaries frequently exceed award minima by a considerable margin.

Team Leader / Senior Coordinator: $85,000–$105,000

Team leaders overseeing a support coordination function — managing referrals, mentoring junior staff, holding quality and compliance responsibility — typically fall at SCHADS Level 5–6. The award ceiling at Level 6 is approximately $114,980, and many providers pay at or above this through enterprise agreements to attract experienced candidates.

Service Delivery Manager: $100,000–$130,000

Service delivery managers with responsibility for a program or functional area — including operational oversight of coordinators and direct support teams — sit above the SCHADS Award ceiling in most cases. At this level, salaries are increasingly set by the market and employer enterprise agreements rather than the award directly. The range reflects variation by employer size, service complexity, and geographic spread.

Regional Manager / Head of Disability Services: $120,000–$160,000

At a regional or state management level — overseeing multiple sites, service lines, or participant cohorts — salaries move into the $120,000–$160,000 range. These roles combine strategic oversight with significant compliance and workforce management responsibility. Pro Bono Australia sector salary data confirms that senior disability services managers in large NFP providers regularly sit in this band, with total remuneration enhanced further by salary packaging for employees at eligible organisations.

CEO / Executive Director (disability service provider): $140,000–$220,000+

Chief executives and executive directors of registered disability service providers operate at the top of the scale. Salary ranges vary substantially by organisation size, NDIS registration type, and whether the provider also operates in aged care or other sectors. Smaller specialist providers may sit at the lower end of this range; larger multi-service NFPs with hundreds of staff can reach the upper end or beyond.

From coordinator to executive — the pathway is real. Many of the disability services leaders I speak with started in direct support or coordination roles and built their way up through team leadership and management. The sector is young enough, and the workforce shortage acute enough, that experienced coordinators with strong operational instincts and values alignment can move quickly into leadership roles — particularly at providers that are scaling.

Patterson Recruitment specialises in placing leadership and management roles across NDIS and disability services — from team leaders and service delivery managers through to general managers and executive directors. If you're building a leadership team, or you're a senior coordinator ready to make the step up, book a conversation with Gab or call 0416 170 100.

FAQ

What qualifications do I need to be an NDIS support coordinator?

There's no single mandated qualification, but most providers require at minimum a Certificate IV in Disability, Mental Health, or Community Services. Specialist support coordinators typically hold a degree in social work, psychology, occupational therapy, or a related discipline. Some providers will also consider extensive sector experience in lieu of formal qualifications at entry level.

Is support coordination a good career?

If you're motivated by meaningful work, enjoy working with people across complex situations, and want a role with genuine variety, support coordination can be deeply rewarding. The sector faces real workforce challenges — demand for coordinators is growing as the NDIS matures — which means genuine career opportunity for people with the right skills and values.

Can I be a self-employed support coordinator?

Yes. Many support coordinators operate as sole traders or under registered provider organisations as contractors. The NDIS billing rate of $100.14/hr for Level 2 coordination sets the ceiling for what you can charge participants, but after business costs (insurance, software, admin time, professional development), effective earnings are typically lower than this figure suggests. Self-employment suits experienced coordinators with strong referral networks.

Does support coordinator salary include superannuation?

Advertised salaries vary — some employers quote base salary only, others quote a total package inclusive of superannuation. When comparing offers, always clarify whether the figure includes or excludes super. From 1 July 2025, the superannuation guarantee is 12%.

How often are NDIS pricing limits reviewed?

The NDIA conducts an annual pricing review each year, with changes typically taking effect from 1 July. The SCHADS Award minimum rates are reviewed separately by the Fair Work Commission in the Annual Wage Review process, also typically effective from 1 July. For 2025–26, SCHADS Award rates increased from 1 October 2025 (a separate increase applies to the aged-care stream in 2026).

Will support coordinator salaries increase?

The Fair Work Commission's ERO (Equal Remuneration Order) process has delivered staged pay increases to community sector workers over recent years, recognising the historical undervaluation of this work. The broader workforce shortage in the disability sector — and the growing complexity of NDIS participants' needs — is expected to maintain upward pressure on salaries for skilled, experienced coordinators.

Hiring NDIS support coordinators or disability services leaders?

Patterson Recruitment specialises in placing support coordinators, NDIS team leaders, and disability services managers with providers across Melbourne and nationally. We understand the sector, the workforce, and what makes a great coordinator — not just on paper, but in practice. Book a consultation or call 0416 170 100 to talk about your hiring needs.

Sources

• SCHADS Award (MA000100) pay guide, effective 1 October 2025 — Fair Work Ombudsman
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (MA000100) — Fair Work Commission
• NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 — NDIS
• 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangement and Price Limits released — NDIS
• NDIS support coordinator and psychosocial recovery coach information — NDIS
• Salary packaging for NFP employees — Australian Taxation Office