In disability services work a SCHADS broken shift can have one unpaid break, or two if the worker agrees. From 1 July 2026 the broken shift allowance is $21.81 a shift with one unpaid break and $28.87 with two, work beyond a 12 hour span is paid at double time, and casual and part-time workers are paid at least 2 hours for each period of work.
Who the broken shift rules cover
Clause 25.6 applies to social and community services employees when they are doing disability services work, and to home care employees. A break that falls inside a minimum payment period under clause 10.5 counts as time worked, so it does not split the shift.
“This clause only applies to social and community services employees when undertaking disability services work and home care employees.”
SCHADS Award cl 25.6
One unpaid break, or two by agreement
An employer may roster a broken shift of two periods of work with one unpaid break (not counting meal breaks). A broken shift of three periods with two unpaid breaks needs the worker's agreement, made before each occasion, unless it is part of an agreed regular pattern of work under clause 10.3.
“An employer may only roster an employee to work a broken shift of 2 periods of work with 1 unpaid break (other than a meal break).”
SCHADS Award cl 25.6(a)(i)
The broken shift allowance from 1 July 2026
Each broken shift carries an allowance on top of the hours worked. The award states both the percentage of the standard rate and the dollar amount in force from 1 July 2026.
- One unpaid break: 1.7% of the standard rate, $21.81 per broken shift (cl 20.12(a))
- Two unpaid breaks: 2.25% of the standard rate, $28.87 per broken shift (cl 20.12(b))
Penalties, shift allowances, the span and the break between shifts
Broken shift hours are paid at ordinary pay, with weekend, overtime and public holiday penalties under clauses 26, 28 and 34. Shift allowances under clause 29 apply only to the periods of work that meet the afternoon, night or public holiday shift definitions: in the award's own example, work from 9.00 am to 11.00 am and then 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm attracts the afternoon shift allowance on the second period only.
The span of a broken shift is up to 12 hours, and any work beyond a 12 hour span is paid at double time. A worker on broken shifts on successive days must get at least 10 hours off between them.
“The span of hours for a broken shift is up to 12 hours. All work performed beyond a span of 12 hours will be paid at double time.”
SCHADS Award cl 25.6(f)
Minimum engagement: 2 hours for disability services work
Part-time and casual employees are paid a minimum number of hours for each shift, and for each period of work in a broken shift. Social and community services employees get 3 hours, except when doing disability services work. All other employees, which takes in disability services work, get 2 hours.
So a casual rostered for a 45 minute morning medication prompt and a 1 hour evening routine on a broken shift is paid at least 2 hours for each period, plus the broken shift allowance.
“Part-time and casual employees will be paid for the following minimum number of hours, at the appropriate rate, for each shift or period of work in a broken shift”
SCHADS Award cl 10.5
Working it out from the roster
Parkways works out SCHADS pay from the roster, including penalty rates, overtime, minimum engagement, broken shifts and public holidays, and compares its rates with the Fair Work Commission's pay database. Pay findings are prompts a person approves.
SCHADS broken shift rules: straight answers
How much is the SCHADS broken shift allowance in 2026-27?
From 1 July 2026: $21.81 per broken shift with one unpaid break (1.7% of the standard rate, cl 20.12(a)) and $28.87 per broken shift with two unpaid breaks (2.25%, cl 20.12(b)).
How many breaks can a SCHADS broken shift have?
One unpaid break can be rostered. Two unpaid breaks need the worker's agreement before each occasion, unless the pattern is part of a regular pattern agreed under clause 10.3 (cl 25.6(a) and (b)). Meal breaks do not count.
What is the maximum span of a SCHADS broken shift?
12 hours. Work beyond a 12 hour span is paid at double time (cl 25.6(f)).
What is the minimum engagement for a casual disability support worker?
2 hours for each shift, and for each period of work in a broken shift (cl 10.5(b)). The 3 hour minimum applies to social and community services work other than disability services work.
How long a break is needed between broken shifts?
At least 10 hours between broken shifts rostered on successive days (cl 25.6(g)).
Sources
Read from these editions on 17 October 2026. This guide explains the rules; it is not advice on one person's pay or one incident.