Health and Community Services Union

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), one of several unions collaborating in the Equal Pay case, has welcomed the decision by Fair Work Australia that disability and mental health workers, along with other social and community services workers, will ultimately receive significant increases.

“This is a great day for our members working in non-government organisations as disability support workers and mental health workers in psychiatric disability rehabilitation support services (PDRSS)”, says Lloyd Williams, State Secretary.

“For too long our members have been disadvantaged by this gender pay inequity. It is clear that caring work is undervalued in Australia because it has historically been considered the work of women.”

In their decision, Fair Work Australia (FWA) stated:
[64] There is widespread support for the proposals...While not determinative, in an area where an exercise of broad judgment is called for, the level of agreement is important.
[66] The percentages we have decided on at the various modern award levels:
•    Level 2—19%
•    Level 3—22%
•    Level 4—28%
•    Level 5—33%
•    Level 6—36%
•    Level 7—38%
•    Level 8—41%

“We welcome Fair Work Australia’s decision to recognise the incredible contribution that disability and PDRSS workers make to the lives of some of Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens. The decision will help to re-redresses the gender imbalance for these workers who have been paid between 17% and 30% less than their public sector colleagues who do the same work and have not suffered the same undervaluing.

“Furthermore, this outcome will go a long way to recruiting and retaining experienced and qualified staff in the disability and PDRSS sectors to ensure they can continue to perform their valuable work.”

“However, whilst supporting the general thrust of the decision, we are disappointed that Fair Work Australia has extended the period of phase-in for the new wage rates to December 2020, particularly for the lowest paid in the lowest levels. The workers in this sector have been seriously disadvantaged for such a significant period of time, that any extension to the phase-in of parity is disappointing.”

“We’d like to thank our members for their support to ensuring today’s successful outcome.”