Your Union for Disability Support Workers

The United Workers Union NDIS Workforce Crisis Survey 2024 found that support workers are commonly working 1-2 hours unpaid each week to complete paperwork and handover to support staff coming onto their shift. Moreover, 90% of workers would struggle to cover an emergency $400 payment, with 43% finding it extremely difficult and 40% of workers have experienced wage theft whilst working in the sector.

We are demanding fair wages for every disability support worker, ensuring that no one is left behind, no matter where they work or what type of employment they have. All workers deserve to be paid fairly and correctly at a standard that reflects the essential skills and expertise required in this sector. We want to put an end to wage theft, a widespread issue that deprives workers of their rightful pay for the critical services they provide.

What is wage theft?

Wage theft is when workers are not paid correctly for the work they perform, It can be incorrect or non payment of penalties and allowances, under classifying workers when they should be on a higher classification/pay rate.

How We Will Win:

We will win this fight by enforcing the Schedule B classification for all disability support workers, making sure that every worker is paid fairly for the work they do.

We will push the gendered undervaluation process initiated by the Fair Work Commission to ensure that pay levels and classifications reflect the true value of disability support work. By highlighting the invisible skills, emotional labor, and care involved in this role, we will ensure that disability support workers receive the wages they deserve.

We will identify and fight Wage Theft where we find it. We will hold employers accountable and ensure that workers are paid every cent they have earned, putting an end to this exploitative practice across the sector and we will recover these stolen wages.

What’s at Stake:

If we don’t win, the undervaluation of disability support workers will continue, leaving many stuck in low-wage jobs with insecure incomes. Wage theft will persist, robbing workers of their hard-earned pay. Without fair wages, turnover in the sector will continue to rise, making it harder to provide consistent, high-quality support to those who rely on it. The sustainability of the workforce and the quality of support for people with disabilities are both at risk if we don’t secure fair pay for all workers.

How can you get involved:

1. Join Your Union: Become a member of the United Workers Union to support the fight for respect and recognition for all disability support workers, including those performing sleepover shifts and permanent part-time workers. 
2. Report Unfunded Work: Use our NDIS Tracker to report any unfunded work you encounter, ensuring we can address and advocate against this issue effectively.
3. Check your pay: Regularly check your pay against the award or workplace agreement to ensure you are being paid correctly. If you find discrepancies, contact your union for support.

We demand respect and recognition for all disability support workers.

We are fighting for R&R for all workers not just those who do sleepovers or PPT workers, while we are having specific fights for sleepovers and PPT we are doing it for everyone.

Sleepover shifts must continue to be recognised as work, with allowances that reflect the mental and physical toll they take. These shifts are essential to maintaining continuous support, and it’s time they are properly valued as work. Workers deserve fair compensation for the hours they spend away from home, ready to respond at a moment’s notice to support people with disabilities. Sleepovers must be recognised as work.

United Workers Union delegates should be formally recognised for the vital role they play in workplaces, ensuring that all workers have access to their Union during paid time.

Employers should undertake consultation with workers on any changes that affect your work

How We Will Win:

We will win by stopping the Australian Industry Group’s attempt to classify sleepovers as unpaid breaks, ensuring these shifts are fully recognised as work and fairly compensated.

What’s at Stake:

If we don’t win, sleepover shifts could be treated as unpaid breaks, with workers forced to work longer hours after disrupted nights, losing the allowances they are entitled to. This would create dangerous conditions for both workers and those receiving support.

The lack of recognition for Union delegates will also hinder workers’ access to necessary support and resources, making it more challenging to advocate for their rights effectively.

How can you get involved:

1. Join Your Union: Become a member of the United Workers Union to support the fight for respect and recognition for all disability support workers, including those performing sleepover shifts and permanent part-time workers. (link to online join)
2. Engage with Delegates: Connect with your United Workers Union delegates in your workplace and advocate for their recognition and support in accessing union resources during paid time.
3. Step Up as a Delegate: Consider stepping up to become a workplace delegate yourself, allowing you to play a vital role in advocating for your colleagues and getting more involved in the national campaign for better working conditions.

We want secure, well-paying, permanent jobs for all disability support workers. The casualisation of our workforce must end – disability jobs need to be jobs people can count on. Workers deserve stable employment with guaranteed hours and predictable work patterns and rosters, allowing them to plan their lives, support their families, and build a sustainable career in the sector. This stability will not only improve workers’ lives but also lead to better support for people with disabilities by reducing turnover and fostering continuity of support.

Permanent part-time workers must not be treated like casual employees. The Award requires that they have a regular pattern of work, guaranteed hours, and clear knowledge of their scheduled days. This is not just a matter of fairness—it’s a legal right. Workers need this certainty to plan their lives, support their families, and maintain a stable work-life balance. Anything less is unlawful and unacceptable.

How We Will Win:

We will win by fighting the growing casualisation of the disability sector and ensuring that all workers, whether part-time or full-time, have access to secure employment with guaranteed hours and predictable rosters.

We will push for direct employment across the sector, ensuring that all workers, including those on gig platforms, are treated as permanent employees with legal entitlements.

Through collective action, we will advocate for portable leave and training schemes to be implemented by the Federal and State governments, ensuring workers can develop their skills and access benefits no matter where they work. By highlighting the results of our United Workers Union NDIS Workforce Crisis Survey 2024, which shows that 91% of workers have considered leaving the sector due to poor conditions, we will amplify the urgency of securing better, more stable jobs for all.

At the same time, we will campaign to end the exploitation of permanent part-time workers who are often treated as casuals, leaving them with no certainty about when their contracted hours will be performed. We will enforce part-time workers’ rights to guaranteed hours and a regular pattern of work, so they can plan their lives with the stability they deserve.

What’s at Stake:

If we don’t win, the casualisation of the disability workforce will continue to spiral, worsening the already dire conditions in the sector. 1 in 4 workers are planning to leave, and 40% of those intend to leave within the next 12 months, reflecting a sharp increase in burnout and dissatisfaction since 2022. Job insecurity and low wages will continue to drive experienced workers out of the sector, leaving those who remain trapped in a cycle of financial instability and chronic job insecurity—with 44% of workers wanting more hours but unable to get them.

In addition, permanent part-time workers will continue to face uncertainty, with no respect for their guaranteed hours or work patterns. This unlawful practice not only disrupts workers’ lives but also disrespects their role as permanent employees, making it difficult for them to plan, support their families, or maintain a work-life balance.

Without secure jobs, turnover will rise, and both workers and people with disabilities will suffer from inconsistent and declining standards of support.

How can you get involved:

1. Join Your Union: Become a member of the United Workers Union to support the fight for secure, well-paying jobs and to ensure your voice is part of the collective effort for change in the disability sector. (link to online join)
2. Advocate for Change: Participate in campaigns and initiatives that push for direct employment and secure job standards, and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
3. Check Your Contract: If you are a permanent part-time employee, review your contract to ensure you are receiving permanent, regular, and predictable shifts. If not, contact your union to discuss your rights to securing stable employment.
4. Address Excess Hours: If you are regularly working above your contracted hours and would like those hours included in your contract, speak to your manager. If you are not supported or your request is denied, contact your union for assistance.

The United Workers Union NDIS Workforce Crisis Survey 2024 found that occupational violence continues to be a significant issue, with 45% of workers experiencing it sometimes or frequently. Many support workers report feeling unsupported in their roles, often having to make critical decisions about client safety alone, which is exacerbated by understaffing and the increased reliance on agency workers that disrupts client-support worker relationships.

We demand safe workplaces for all disability support workers, where every individual can perform their duties without the fear of harm or injury. It is crucial that unsafe work practices are publicly recognised, and that the mental and physical well-being of workers is prioritised. Our Union Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play a vital role in this movement, advocating for better conditions and leading the charge to ensure that our work environments are secure and supportive.

By fostering a culture of safety and accountability, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that we collectively advocate for the standards we deserve.

How We Will Win:

We will empower our Union Health and Safety Representatives to take action and build robust safety structures within our workplaces. We will work with members to elect HSRs in every workplace, ensuring that all voices are represented and safety concerns are addressed.

Our HSRs will lead initiatives to publicly highlight unsafe work practices and push regulators to establish best practice guidelines for employers, aimed at mitigating psychosocial harm.

What’s at Stake:

If we don’t win this fight for safe workplaces, the risks to our health and well-being will continue to grow, leading to increased incidents of injury and psychological distress among workers. Unsafe work environments contribute to high turnover rates and burnout, jeopardising not only the welfare of disability support workers but also the quality of support we provide to those who depend on our support. The United Workers Union NDIS Workforce Crisis Survey 2024 highlights a concerning gap, with nearly 20% of workers feeling uncomfortable reporting Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) risks, despite knowing how to do so. Without proper safety measures in place, we risk perpetuating a cycle of harm that ultimately undermines the integrity of the entire disability sector. Together, we must champion for a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

How I Can Get Involved:

1. Join Your Union: Become a member of the United Workers Union to strengthen our collective voice and advocate for safer workplace conditions together.
2. Participate in Safety Initiatives: Engage with your Health and Safety Representatives and participate in workplace safety meetings to voice your concerns and contribute to creating a safer environment.
3. Report Safety Issues: If you encounter unsafe work practices or conditions, report them to your HSR or through the designated channels to ensure they are addressed and resolved. Your input is vital for improving safety standards in our sector.
4. Campaign for HSR Elections: If your workplace does not have elected Health and Safety Representatives, contact your union to discuss organising a campaign to get them elected and ensure everyone has a voice in workplace safety.