News
The disability support services sector is under intense scrutiny following the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO) decision to launch an Inquiry into the sector’s compliance with workplace laws.
The disability support services sector builds independence skills and provides care, emotional support, physical assistance, and supervision for people with disability in homes, community, and residential settings.
Over the last four years however, the FWO has handled more than 75,000 non-compliance enquiries as well as receiving over 2500 anonymous complaints.
Compliance challenges can include a range of factors such as a strong demand for their services, heavy reliance on migrant workers, high levels of casualisation, and concerns about profitability and financial viability, according to FWO.
A statement on the FWO’s website claimed their primary objective within the Inquiry’s first phase is to identify drivers of non-compliance, which is proposed to take 18 months.
Spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman, Anna Booth says the Inquiry will assess what and who the key influences are in contributing to workplace relations breaches in the sector.
Once we have identified the root causes of non-compliance in the sector, we can work with key industry partners and government stakeholders in taking action to effectively secure an improved, sustainable culture of compliance with Fair Work laws
Anna Booth
Australian Services Union Spokesperson, Angus McFarland responded positively to the announcement.
"The Australian Services Union, as Australia's largest union for workers in the NDIS, welcomes this historic Fair Work Ombudsman Inquiry…[and] the resources…being deployed to investigate exploitation in the disability sector.”
Mr McFarland argues that the disability community deserve to know their NDIS package is being appropriately spent and that their support workers are paid properly for the work they do.
“We need to build a strong and sustainable NDIS where support workers are valued, trained, and well remunerated. This inquiry will assist in helping the NDIS reach its potential and promise to the broader community."
Spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth stressed that change won’t happen overnight.
“What we’re looking to achieve, ultimately, is for businesses…to commit to self-reporting non-compliance in the sector; and for workers to have a strong understanding of their rights and obligations.”
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