Your Union for Disability Support Workers
We provide essential services to people with a disability.
We work in disability services in supported accommodation, the community and in home support (home care).
We provide essential services to the more than 400,000 Australians living with disability who access the NDIS. We work with people with a disability so that they can achieve their goals and undertake the tasks of daily life.
Together, we are campaigning for a fair NDIS for both participants and workers in disability support. Disability Support Workers deserve fair pay and conditions, safe workplaces, job security, quality training, career progression and respect at work.
If you’re a Disability Support Worker, United Workers Union is your union. Your union knows the issues impacting your work and can provide essential support so that you are treated with the respect and dignity you deserve at work.
UWU represents over 150,000 workers from a huge range of industries and all walks of life across Australia. Our power is in our collective voice and ability to take action, united!
History shows, when workers stand together and use their power, better outcomes are achieved!
Together, Union members campaign for jobs you can count on, decent pay and conditions, and respect at work. Your union is here to help you – providing a range of quality services, benefits and representation when you need it.
RESOURCES FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKERS:
NDIS TRACKER
AWARD PAY GUIDE
Quality and Safeguards Commission
ROYAL COMMISSION
REASONS TO JOIN YOUR UNION:
Better Pay and Conditions
Union members stand together for better pay and conditions, respect, and job security.
Australian workers who are union members earn on average $250 more every week.
Back up and Support at Work
When you face poor treatment – like unfair dismissal, safety issues or harassment at work it’s important to be union.
At worksites across the country UWU Delegates, leaders and Health and Safety Reps have your back.
Training, Community & Information
Members have access to exclusive training and development designed to support you at work.
Being union also gives you access to a community of workers and expert information when you need it.
Join a Movement that Wins
When you’re union, you’re part of a national movement with a long history for standing up for what is right.
If you want a fairer Australia, joining your union is the best way to make a difference.Save with Union Shopper
As a United Workers Union member you’re entitled to a wide range of financial discounts and savings as part of the union member benefits program.
Offset your union dues by saving big on groceries, white goods, and travel.union faq's
Unions were started for workers, by workers to give them a stronger voice at work and in the community. Unions collectively bargain for better pay and conditions, provide representation at work, and engage in community and political campaigns that impact members’ lives. Joining the union is joining a collective, standing together for a better future.
United Workers Union (UWU) is the union for workers in Aged Care across a variety of roles including:
- Care workers
- Hospitality staff and cooks
- Nursing Assistants
- Laundry workers
- Maintenance workers
- Managers
Our coverage extends across:
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Northern Territory
UWU is also the union for Home Care workers in NSW, Qld, WA, SA, NT and ACT.
If you’re unsure or have any questions, get in touch with us here.
If you used to be represented by United Voice – that’s us! United Voice merged with NUW to form UWU in 2019.
If you work in Aged Care in another state, you may be represented by another union like the HSU – find your union through the ACTU here.
No. The Fair Work Act 2009 states that in Australia, everyone has the right to be a member of a union. Your employer cannot discriminate against you or prevent you from being a member, or from seeking help from your organiser or local union office.
In fact if your employer or manager is discouraging you from joining your union – that is the strongest indication that you need union protection.
If you’re particularly worried about your situation, call our friendly Membership Services Team to discuss.
Union membership fees change slightly based on where you work and what you’re paid – most membership fees are $13.75 a week. The join form will display the right fee grade once you enter your occupation information, before you submit your details.
Yes, union membership is 100% tax deductible!
When joining online you can select to pay either by credit/debit card, or via direct debit.
You can also select your payment frequency: weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, so you can align it with your pay cycle.
Unions are run to benefit their members, not for profit. Membership fees are used to provide services and advocate on behalf of members, like representation and legal support, training and development opportunities, expert information, collectively bargain on behalf of workers, and run community/political campaigns to further our members interests (like our Change Aged Care campaign!).