How Much Is the Vehicle Allowance per km for SCHADS Award Workers?

If you employ or work as a support worker under the SCHADS Award, a common question is: how much is the vehicle allowance per km, and when does it apply?

This is an important issue for payroll accuracy, award compliance, and avoiding underpayment risks.

How Much Is the Vehicle Allowance per km Under the SCHADS Award?

Under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award), a worker who uses their own private vehicle during a shift is entitled to a vehicle allowance of $0.99 per kilometre.

This allowance is payable per kilometre travelled while performing work duties, not for ordinary commuting.

When Does the SCHADS Vehicle Allowance Apply?

The vehicle allowance applies where:

• The worker is covered by the SCHADS Award

• The worker uses their own vehicle

• The travel occurs during a shift

• The travel is required to perform work duties (for example, transporting a client or travelling between locations)

The allowance does not apply to:

• Travel to and from work

• Ordinary commuting at the start or end of a shift

What Is Included in the $0.99 per km Rate?

The $0.99 per kilometre rate compensates workers for costs associated with using their own vehicle for work-related travel during a shift.

Some providers or platforms may charge clients a higher rate to cover administration or compliance costs, but the worker’s award entitlement remains $0.99 per kilometre.

Is the SCHADS Vehicle Allowance Taxable?

Yes. Because the SCHADS vehicle allowance is above the ATO’s reasonable allowance rate, it is treated as taxable income and must be included on the worker’s payslip.

Workers may later be able to claim a deduction for eligible motor vehicle expenses in their personal tax return, depending on their circumstances.

How Is the Vehicle Allowance Usually Recorded?

To claim the vehicle allowance, workers generally need to:

• Record the number of kilometres travelled during the shift

• Confirm the travel was work-related

• Have the kilometres approved alongside their timesheet

Accurate record-keeping is important for both payroll compliance and audit purposes.

Key Takeaway

If you are asking how much is the vehicle allowance per km for SCHADS Award workers, the current answer is:

$0.99 per kilometre, for kilometres travelled during a shift while performing work duties.

This rate does not apply to ordinary commuting and should be handled carefully in payroll to ensure SCHADS Award compliance.