Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) worker salary in Australia
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If you are thinking about working in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support, you probably have two questions. Could I do this work well? And would it pay enough to make the change worthwhile?
This article deals with the second one. Here is what the award says AOD workers earn, how your qualification affects where you start, and what moves your pay after that.
The short answer
Many AOD roles in community organisations are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, usually called the SCHADS Award. Under that award, someone who holds a relevant Certificate IV and does work related to it starts no lower than Level 2, pay point 2.
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, that is $37.36 an hour, or $1,419.79 a week for a full-time employee, which works out at roughly $73,800 a year before tax. Experience, responsibility and further study move you up from there, and some employers pay above the award.
Indicative SCHADS Award rates
These are the award's minimum rates for social and community services employees at the levels most relevant to someone moving into AOD work with a Certificate IV.
| Level and pay point | When it usually applies | Hourly rate | Full-time weekly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2, pay point 2 | Starting point with a relevant Certificate IV, doing related work | $37.36 an hour | $1,419.79 a week |
| Level 2, pay points 3 and 4 | After 12 months of satisfactory performance at each pay point | $38.50 to $39.53 an hour | $1,462.96 to $1,501.95 a week |
| Level 3, pay points 1 to 4 | A relevant certificate plus relevant experience. Graduates with a relevant degree start at pay point 3 or 4 | $40.49 to $43.42 an hour | $1,538.59 to $1,649.97 a week |
| Level 4, pay points 1 to 4 | Specialised work, supervising others, or substantial relevant experience | $46.70 to $50.25 an hour | $1,774.74 to $1,909.51 a week |
| Level 5, pay points 1 to 3 | Responsibility for programs or projects, and giving expert advice to other staff | $53.43 to $55.85 an hour | $2,030.20 to $2,122.13 a week |
The rates include the equal remuneration increases that apply to social and community services employees under the award. Casual employees receive a 25 per cent loading on top. For the exact rate for your role, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.
What decides your level
The award classifies you by the work you do, not just the qualification you hold. In practice, four rules do most of the work:
- Your qualification sets a floor. A relevant Certificate IV, used in your role, means no lower than Level 2, pay point 2. A relevant diploma starts at the same pay point and moves up after 12 full-time equivalent months of satisfactory service.
- Experience moves you through pay points. You progress to the next pay point in your level after 12 months of demonstrated competency and satisfactory performance, until you reach the top of that level.
- Responsibility moves you up levels. Moving to a higher level happens through promotion or reclassification, usually when your duties grow.
- A degree starts higher. Graduates with a relevant three-year degree, doing work at that level, start no lower than Level 3, pay point 3.
What moves your take-home pay
- Weekends. Ordinary hours worked on a Saturday are paid at 150 per cent of your ordinary rate, and on a Sunday at 200 per cent.
- Evening and night shifts. Afternoon shifts attract a 12.5 per cent loading, and night shifts 15 per cent.
- Public holidays. Work on a public holiday is paid at double time and a half.
- Casual work. Casual employees receive a 25 per cent loading instead of paid leave entitlements.
- Salary packaging. The award allows salary packaging where you and your employer agree, and it is common in the not-for-profit sector. It can lift your take-home pay without changing your rate.
- Your employer's agreement. Some organisations pay above the award under an enterprise agreement, and roles in state public health services are usually covered by public sector agreements with their own rates.
So does AOD work pay enough?
Here is a straight answer. Starting award rates in this sector are solid rather than spectacular, and it is not a field people join for the money alone.
What the award does give you is a clear structure. A Certificate IV starts you above the entry level, each year of satisfactory performance moves you up a pay point until you reach the top of your level, and taking on specialised or supervisory work moves you up a level. For people coming from nursing, counselling or other community roles, the bigger question is often how quickly they can requalify, which is where credit for prior study matters.
What you need to start
The Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215) has 17 units, no exams and no formal entry requirements, and it is studied 100% online. Before you enrol, it helps to know about the practical parts:
- Work placement: a minimum of 80 hours in a suitable counselling or community services setting. You source your host organisation, and our Work Placement Officer can help you look for one if you get stuck. If you already work in the sector, you may be able to complete it in your own workplace, with approval.
- First aid: the unit HLTAID011 Provide first aid is completed with an external provider, at your own cost.
- Checks: a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, NT and WA, or a Working with Vulnerable People Check and a National Police Check in the ACT and TAS. You submit them within the first two months, and some checks have their own application costs.
Most students complete the course in 12 to 18 months. It is self-paced, so motivated students can finish sooner, but fast tracking does not remove the placement hours, the first aid unit or the checks, so build those into your plan early.
If you have studied nursing or counselling, or already work in health or community services, ask about Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer before you enrol. With supporting evidence they can reduce your study load, and a trainer assesses your eligibility.
"Recently completed Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs. My experience has been very positive. I felt supported, encouraged, and guided throughout my learning journey, and I am grateful for the commitment shown by my trainer Rosan Lal.
Rosan has gave me encouragement and motivation to keep pushing through. I am grateful for the support I received throughout my course and appreciate the flexibility and guidance provided during my learning journey.
Completing this qualification from a remote perspective was both challenging and rewarding. My motivation to undertake the course was driven by a desire to strengthen my professional skills, increase my confidence, and gain a nationally recognized qualification that supports my career progression.
I would highly recommend this program to others, particularly those undertaking study from a remote setting."
Patrina, Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Student.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs make me a counsellor?
No. It prepares you for support roles such as alcohol and other drugs worker. Counselling, psychology and other clinical roles need different qualifications.
Can I get credit for my nursing or counselling study?
Possibly. Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer are assessed individually against the units, using evidence of your previous study or work. Raise it before you enrol so it can be assessed properly.
How quickly can I finish?
Motivated students can finish sooner than the typical 12 to 18 months. The placement, first aid unit and checks still have to be completed, so plan around them from the start.
Is the course government funded?
Funding depends on your state and your eligibility, so it varies from person to person. An education consultant can check your situation and talk you through current pricing and payment plans.
Where can I check my exact pay rate?
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool, or check your enterprise agreement if your employer has one.
Where Upskilled fits in
The Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215) is nationally recognised and studied 100% online, with work placement support and dedicated community services trainers. It sits alongside the Certificate IV in Mental Health in our Certificate IV community services courses, and the two fields often overlap, which is why the AOD course includes a unit on supporting people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues.
For a longer-term step up, the Diploma of Community Services and the other diploma community services courses are the usual next rung if you want to move into case management. And if you are weighing up sectors, our guide to aged care worker pay shows how the Aged Care Award differs.
Pay figures are indicative award minimums, current from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, and actual pay varies by employer, classification, agreement and hours. This is general information, not a guarantee of employment or earnings.
Sources: Fair Work Commission, Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (MA000100), consolidated to 1 September 2026: clauses 10.4 (casual loading), 13 (progression), 14 (salary packaging), 15 (minimum and equal remuneration rates), 26 (weekend work), 29 (shiftwork), 34 (public holidays) and Schedule B (classifications). Upskilled CHC43215 course page. Both accessed 14 September 2026.
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