The federal government’s $630 million funding announcement to support fairer pay for 460,000 health, disability and community workers is welcome news for a sector pushed to its limits.

Australia’s community services sector has been under strain for a long time, with ACOSS long calling for governments to fund fairer wages so organisations can properly value their workers without cutting the services people rely on.

The funding will support the cost of award-related wage changes following the Fair Work Commission’s finding that work in these sectors, mostly by women, has been undervalued because of gender-based assumptions.

“Today’s announcement is an important contribution to properly recognising and valuing the nearly half a million workers who provide essential care and support to people across Australia, often at the hardest moments of their lives,” ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said.

“The work of caring for and supporting others has been underpaid and underfunded for decades because it has been systematically undervalued. 

“When we properly value and fund the work of community workers, we are also investing in stronger communities and ensuring people can access the support they need, when they need it.

“By backing the Commission’s decision and funding these award changes, the government has recognised that community sector organisations cannot simply absorb these costs while continuing to meet growing demand for services.

“When organisations are left to fund pay rises on their own they are forced to cut services, meaning longer waiting lists, fewer people getting help and communities missing out on the support they need.

“We also call on state and territory governments to step up and pay their share. We need to make sure all workers, regardless of funder, are fairly paid and communities don’t miss out on essential support. 

“ACOSS looks forward to working with the Government and our members on implementing this important commitment and ensuring funding reaches the services and communities that need it.”