Undervalued and overworked: Australian Services Union calls for recognition of NDIS Workers

Australian Services Union (ASU) in June 2024 launched a landmark case in the Fair Work Commission to end wage theft and fraud in the NDIS. 

The ASU estimated 1 in 10 employers were deliberately being misclassified, resulting in an underpayment of 30,000 NDIS workers. Employers are claiming the full NDIS rate of pay at $33, paying employees at the home care workers award rate, which is less of that than an NDIS worker and pocketing the difference.  

A clear indication of wage theft, ASU launched a campaign with the Fair Work Commission indicating “some workers are missing up to $16,000 per year, and it can be more if they are doing extra hours.” 

Ending wage theft and fraud in the NDIS is part of a broader campaign ASU members are lobbying for to have their skills and experience recognised in the Community and Disability Sector. The Skilled Respected Equal (SRE) campaign looks to do just that, highlighting those working in the sector are overworked, undervalued, and underpaid. 

67% of community and disability workers are under-classified, a result of groundbreaking research launched by the ASU with the University of Sydney (UNSW). Many workers in the sector are required to perform tasks beyond their pay grade, face limited career progression, and financial pressures so severe – almost 1 in 3 workers need help from family or friends to meet living costs.

With award classifications unchanged for 30 years under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHDS) award, the ASU submitted their application in the Fair Work Commission with the following campaign goals: 

  • Protect Equal Pay: Permanently incorporate Equal Pay into the SCHDS Award 

  • Improve the Award: Establish a reclassification structure to reflect the skills, responsibilities, and expertise of the workers in the sector 

ASU members look to close the loophole, stamp out dodgy practices and include fair pay and recognition for all Community and Disability workers. Read more about the Skilled, Respected, Equal campaign here.

If you are not already a member, now is the time to stand with fellow workers in South Australia and the Northern Territory: www.asusant/join 

Follow to keep up to date:

Instagram - www.instagram.com/asu_proud_sant/ 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/ASU.SANTBranch/ 

LinkedIn - au.linkedin.com/company/asu-sa-nt 

Zoe StangoulisAustralian Services Union SA + NTNDIS, Disability, ASU, Australian Services Union, wage theft, South Australia, Northern Territory, Skilled Respected Equal