Download a PDF copy of the update here

HACSU has progressed our member’s concerns regarding the rollout of the NDIS in the Central Highlands.

The DHHS has confirmed that:

• The DHHS will continue providing complex case management and outreach services after the NDIS rollout. However, these services will be: ‘included for consideration in the government’s process to identify which organisations are best placed to deliver government disability services’.
• Outreach services will not be a Monday to Friday 9 – 5 service as a result of the NDIS rollout; the current service delivery model will remain. Any changes that arise will occur due to client need [in line with current practice].
• Staff can update their CVs in work time, irrespective of how long it takes. Speak to your line manager to agree suitable times; contact your local HACSU delegate or HACSU Assist if you need further advice.
• The DHHS will improve the way it communicates with its staff and will ensure staff have a ‘safe’ space to voice concerns or ask questions about the NDIS. Management will meet with HACSU delegates: Joey O’Brien and Janine Brownlee to agree what form this meeting will take. Contact your local delegates to have input into this discussion.
• The DHHS and HACSU will agree a process by which vacancies will be monitored to ensure that, if the circumstance arises, materially affected staff are provided with suitable relocation options.
• The Central Working Group [that covers services the DHHS will retain] will provide fortnightly updates to the Central Highlands NDIS Workforce and Implementation Committee.

HACSU has again sought a breakdown of the remaining EFT for all DHHS teams in Central Highlands post the transfer of current DHHS planning and intake functions to the NDIA; this data remains outstanding.

MEMBERS SHOULD NOTE:

For all materially affected DHHS staff who transfer their employment to NDIA via the first round offer of employment process Transmission of Business applies. In this circumstance the Fair Work Act prohibits staff moving from one Enterprise Agreement to another.  This means DDSOs who are successful in gaining ongoing employment with the NDIA in the first round offer of employment must take the DHHS HACSU Enterprise Agreement with them, whether it be the current one or a newly negotiated one;.

Once employed by the NDIA if a DDSO to whom Transmission of Business has applied is successful in getting a substantively different role within the NDIA they may no longer be employed to the DHHS HACSU Enterprise Agreement but will be employed under the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs [FaCSIA] Enterprise Agreement, found at: https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/publications-articles/corporate-publications/fahcsia-enterprise-agreement-2012-2014

If a DDSO is successful in getting a position with the NDIA that is not a first round offer of employment they may be employed to the FaCSIA agreement.

Outstanding issues:

• DHHS is committed to provide the total EFT required for the remaining DHHS services post transfer of planning and intake functions to the NDIA by COB Friday 8 July.
• LWOP– DHHS confirmed all LWOP applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Members are reminded that whilst there is no automatic entitlement to LWOP clause 34.1.3(b) of the EBA identifies undertaking: ‘employment […] that is considered to be of benefit to the Employer’ as an indicative reason for which LWOP may be granted.

Please contact either Lisa White, Industrial Officer at lisaw@hacsu.asn.au or 0438 288 001 if you would like further information or Serena Ho, State Organiser for a meeting on serenah@hacsu.asn.au or 9340 4100