Disability support workers are paid up to five dollars less per hour compared to aged care employees

Key points:

• Disability workers are paid up to five dollars less per hour than equally experienced workers in aged care, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman
• Recent wage increases of 15 percent were welcomed by aged care and childcare workers, while disability workers were not included in the pay rise
• Higher wages in aged care may encourage disability workers to leave the sector as many of their skills are transferable 

Aged care and childcare workers recently received a 15 percent wage increase, however, disability workers are being left behind. 

Although the government’s support intended to increase the number of workers in aged care, this may have unintentionally affected the disability support sector.

Permanent level one disability workers earn $25.41 dollars per hour, compared to $28.94 dollars per hour as an entry-level aged care worker.

Although a couple of dollars extra an hour may seem insignificant, a full-time entry-level aged care worker will earn $134.14 dollars more per week than their disability worker peers.

This pay gap only increases for higher-level workers, with level five aged care workers earning almost five dollars more per hour than workers of the same level in disability.

The increase in pay for aged care workers may encourage current disability workers to change industries as many of the skills are transferable, making quality disability care more difficult to find. 

However, recent estimates suggest that the number of Australians requiring care and assistance from support workers is expected to double by 2050.

The turnover rate for casual positions in disability support work has risen by four percent, because of the stress and frustration associated with the sector. 

High turnover rates and a workforce shortage of disability support workers may result in poorer support and care for Australians with disability.

Forty-seven percent of Australians with disability said that not all their needs are met, despite receiving formal disability services, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

Mark Townend, the chief executive officer of Spinal Life Australia, a leading disability not-for-profit organisation, highlighted why the government needs to support wage increases for disability support workers.

“Not-for-profit agencies are already struggling to meet the requirements of people with disability to live independent lives because of the challenges in attracting enough suitably qualified, experienced and passionate people to the disability sector,” he said

“[…] The fact that other comparable workforces have been supported with significant wage increases in recent times will make it even more difficult to attract enough workers to the disability sector.”

Approximately 353,000 disability workers currently assist NDIS participants according to the Department of Social Services. 

While there are differences between aged care and disability roles, workers in both sectors help to:

• maintain their clients’ independence;
• ensure personal needs are met; and
• provide individualised support.

Course content in disability and aged care certificates and training often overlaps, making it more appealing for lower-paid disability workers to find employment in aged care. 

Mr Townend reiterated that more government support must be given to increase disability support workers’ wages to prevent further staff shortages in disability care.

“We will have less and less staff coming to and staying in the industry and this will lead to poorer and poorer outcomes for people with disability and the closure of — or exit from — the industry of long-established not-for-profit agencies — making the government’s job even more difficult in the long-term,” he said.

However, it’s not only insufficient government support that is leaving disability support workers underpaid. 

Disability support workers recently protested against ‘dodgy’ NDIS providers to eliminate wage theft.

Up to 10 percent of NDIS providers may be ‘underpaying their support workers by classifying them at lower award rates,’ according to an estimate from the Australian Services Union. 

The dishonest providers may also be ‘pocketing the difference of up to nine dollars per hour from taxpayer funds allocated for NDIS participants.’

Read more about the wage theft issues affecting disability support workers in this article: Australian Services Union Secretary comments on wage theft protest.

What are your thoughts on having lower wages for Australians working in the disability sector?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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Relevant content:

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says state and territory support is ‘secured’ for NDIS reforms

Australian Services Union secretary comments on wage theft protest

Australian Government allocates $13.6 million dollars to establish the National Disability Research Partnership