NDIS public holiday rates in Queensland (2026-27)

What counts as a public holiday under the NDIS

The NDIS pricing schedule 2026-27 sets the maximum prices providers can charge NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants. It treats the national public holidays as public holidays, and also "any other day or part-day declared as a public holiday within a State or Territory where the support is being delivered". So the state where your support happens is what matters, not where your provider's office is.

The schedule defines a public holiday support as one that starts at or after midnight at the start of the holiday and ends by midnight at its end. It also says that when one worker's support crosses from one time of day or day of the week into another, the higher of the prices applies to the whole support.

NDIS price vs what a worker is paid

The NDIS price is the most a provider can charge NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants for an hour of support. It isn't the support worker's hourly pay. Worker pay, including public holiday penalty rates, is set separately, usually under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (the SCHADS award).

The NDIA works out its prices from the total cost of employing a worker under that award, not just their wage. For current pay rates, see the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides.

Christmas Eve: only 6 pm to midnight

Queensland's Holidays Act makes Christmas Eve a part-day public holiday from 6 pm to midnight. Support from midnight to 6 pm on 24 December is priced as a normal weekday, and support from 6 pm is public holiday support.

If one worker's shift starts before 6 pm and runs past it, the provider can claim the whole shift at the public holiday price. The planner starts Christmas Eve at 6 hours; if one worker's shift runs past 6 pm, enter the whole shift.

Show holidays by council, 2027

Each show holiday applies only in its own council area, so the date depends on where the support is delivered. The NDIA doesn't give a worked example for show days, so we say public holiday prices may apply; check with your provider before the day.

Shifts that cross midnight

The pricing schedule says that when one worker's support crosses from one time of day or day of the week into another, the higher price applies to the whole support. Take one support worker from 10 pm on Thursday 31 December 2026 to 2 am on New Year's Day: the provider can claim all four hours at up to the public holiday price ($163.46 an hour for standard SIL).

If two different workers cover the shift, one before midnight and one after, each part is priced for its own time: $81.07 an hour (weekday evening) before midnight and $163.46 after. The same applies at 6 pm on Christmas Eve. Providers should talk this through with you first, so ask how they will claim these shifts before the holidays.

How the planner works

Pick the council area where support is delivered and the ratio. A ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 means support shared with housemates, so your share is the hourly price divided by the ratio. Then enter the hours of support on each holiday.

The planner multiplies them by $163.46 and shows how much more that is than the same hours at the weekday daytime price. Your show day is shown separately, because public holiday prices may or may not apply. For a full week of SIL, use our SIL cost calculator and roster builder.

Common questions

Is Christmas Eve a public holiday for NDIS support in Queensland?

Only from 6 pm to midnight. Queensland declares that part of 24 December a public holiday, so those hours attract public holiday prices. If one worker's shift starts before 6 pm and runs past it, the provider can claim the whole shift at the public holiday price.

Do both Boxing Day and the Monday after attract public holiday prices in 2026?

Yes. Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December 2026 and Queensland adds Monday 28 December as an extra holiday, so support on either day is priced as a public holiday.

Are show days public holidays for NDIS pricing?

Public holiday prices may apply. Each show holiday only covers its own council area, and the NDIA doesn't give a show day example, so check with your provider.

How is a shift across midnight charged?

If one worker does the whole shift, the provider can claim the higher price for all of it, so a shift from 10 pm on New Year's Eve to 2 am on New Year's Day can be claimed at the public holiday price for all four hours. If different workers cover each part, each part is priced for its own time.

What is the NDIS Christmas Day rate in 2026?

The maximum price for standard support on Friday 25 December 2026 is $163.46 an hour. A sleepover is still $311.79.

Is Easter Saturday a public holiday for the NDIS in Queensland?

Yes. Queensland declares the day after Good Friday a public holiday, so public holiday prices apply.

Does the public holiday price apply to a sleepover?

A sleepover is claimed at the sleepover price ($311.79) on any day, including a public holiday. It includes up to 2 hours of active support; from the third hour, active support on a public holiday can be claimed at public holiday prices.