Skilled Respected Equal
We know our worth - what we won
On 29 May 2026, ASU members won a significant victory at the Fair Work Commission, and it means big changes (and pay rises) for disability workers.
After two years of campaigning, organising, giving evidence, attending rallies, signing petitions and standing together, the FWC has accepted many of the changes ASU members fought for to improve the SCHADS Award classification structure.
Importantly, for many disability workers, we have finally closed the home care loophole that has been used to underpay disability workers. Home care rates will be going up, and no support work can be classified at Level 1 under these changes.
This decision means thousands of disability support workers across Australia will finally receive the wages they are entitled to, with some workers set to be up to $16,000 a year better off.
This is a major step forward for community and disability sector workers.
What the new classification structure delivers
The new and improved classification structure will:
- Protect pay rates so no worker goes backwards
- Make annual pay point progression automatic for most workers
- Recognise industry experience, lived experience and equivalent skills
- Deliver pay increases of up to 27% for many misclassified disability support workers
- Create clearer career pathways, including specialist and senior roles across the sector
This win did not happen by accident.
When the Fair Work Commission first proposed a new structure, we were deeply concerned that some workers could go backwards and that the system relied too heavily on formal qualifications while failing to properly recognise experience, skill, complexity and responsibility.
ASU members refused to accept that.
Together, we organised across the sector. We gave powerful evidence about the real work members do every day. We made it clear that qualifications matter, but so do lived experience, industry experience and the skills workers build over years of supporting people and communities.
The Commission has now listened.
This decision means stronger protections, clearer pathways and a better Award structure.
But our campaign is not over
Workers still need significant pay rises that reflect the value, complexity and responsibility of community and disability sector work.
The ASU has already secured the 4.75% increase from 1 July. Now we are pushing for more.
Our next steps
We have lodged a submission to the Fair Work Commission calling for a pay rise of up to 35%.
We're campaigning for a pay rise that recognises the value of your work and how your work has changed.
ASU members know that community and disability workers carry out vital, skilled work.
Everyday you support people through unfathomable crises, trauma and disadvantage. This work requires expertise, judgement and care.
Yet for too long, this work has been undervalued and underpaid — in part because it is done largely by women.
Take action
Here are five things you can do to get involved: