Allowances are equally important to base rates — and frequently underpaid. The Award prescribes specific allowances for a range of circumstances common in care settings: sleepovers, first aid responsibilities, vehicle use, and others.
The sleepover allowance applies when an employee is required to sleep at a workplace or client's premises to be available for emergencies overnight. The SCHADS Award provides a flat allowance per sleepover period. If the employee is actually woken and required to perform work during the sleepover period, the time spent actively working must be paid at the ordinary rate (or the applicable penalty rate). Providers who pay the sleepover allowance as a flat overnight rate and make no additional payment for active interventions are systematically underpaying staff.
Employees who hold a current first aid certificate and are required by their employer to use that certificate in their role are entitled to a first aid allowance. The key trigger is that the employer requires the employee to hold and use a first aid qualification as part of their role. If you require workers to maintain first aid certification as a condition of employment, you must pay the allowance.
The SCHADS Award contains provisions for workers who are required to use their own vehicle in performing their duties. This is common for home care workers travelling between clients and support coordinators making home visits. Time spent travelling between client appointments during a shift — as distinct from travel from home to the first client — is generally regarded as time worked and must be paid as such.
Additional allowances include a uniform allowance or laundry allowance where employees are required to wear and maintain a uniform or specific work clothing. Qualification-based allowances may also apply for employees with specific credentials relevant to their role beyond the base classification requirements. Perform a systematic audit mapping each allowance type in the Award against your actual workforce practices, and repeat this annually.
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