Strengthening Social and Community Services
Members of the Australian Services Union (ASU) across the country have fought and won big changes for workers in the Social and Community Services Industry.
In 2023/24, one of our campaign focusses is on Strengthening Queensland's Youth Services and Specialist Housing Services.
In 2023, we joined the Queensland Youth Housing Coalition and the sector to immediately increase funding to specialist youth homelessness services and we achieved this! Read all about it here. This necessary increase in homelessness funding from the Miles Queensland Government announced in 2024, will stablise the current system for homeless and at-risk young people. For our members working in these services, this investment will increase the capacity of services, including the ability to operate a two-person worker model during peak times where required, most commonly in communal 24/7 fully supported accommodation options. There is more to do!
In 2024, in partnership with youth services and youth sector peaks, we are asking the Miles Government for a 30% increase in funding for all frontline youth services including Youth Support Services, Specialist Youth Homelessness Services and community-based Youth Justice Services to:
1) Boost and build the capacity of community youth support services through workforce investment with a key focus on attracting young workers to the sector;
2) Support a workforce strategy that invests in training and development that delivers more support locally;
3) Prioritise safety and wellbeing for staff and young people which is critical to a sustainable youth workforce;
4) Investment in the youth peak bodies to advance priority initiatives in agreement with Government, providing certainty to the sector, and supporting its workforce recruitment and retention strategies necessary for this unique and vital workforce.
We are also asking for investment in the youth peak bodies to advance priority initiatives in agreement with Government, providing certainty to the sector, and supporting its workforce recruitment and retention strategies necessary for this unique and vital workforce.
Download the flyer here.
What Else Have We Won For SACS?
For a long time, members have been outspoken about their conditions and what changes they want to see across the Industry.
Over the past five years we have worked on making important changes to
our fair pay claim for the minimum terms and conditions of your Award,
the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award
2010 (the Award).
As of 1 July 2022, many of the changes to the Award we were seeking will take effect. Please click here to see the changed to the Award.
These changes will improve many work practices within the Social,
Community and Disability Services Industry and are a direct result of
union membership in action.
We have developed information sheets to help members understand the changes and how they may impact them.
Employers will need to change how they do business to make sure they
are compliant with the new minimum standards. Over the next 12 months we
expect to see big changes within workplaces across the Industry as
employers come to terms with how to implement these changes and meet
service delivery.
It is important that you are informed about the changes so these info
sheets will assist in building your knowledge and you have access to
your Union.
Let’s not forget that come the 1 July 2022, Award rates will increase
by at least $40.00 or by 4.6%. This is directly related to the campaign
of the union movement to improve minimum rates of pay.
Plus, we won Portable Long Service leave for Social and Community
Services workers in Queensland and 10 days paid Domestic and Family
Violence Leave to be added to the Award!
Improving pay and conditions is just another way your Union is
Strengthening Queensland’s Social and Community Services Industry!
Remember we are by your side and if you would like a visit to your
workplace, reach out to your local organiser or call to arrange a visit.
You can also call to speak with an industrial officer on changes that
occur within your workplace as a result of the Award changes.
To arrange a visit or to speak with Services Connect call 3844 5300 or email [email protected]