Your pay and conditions
AEU members in disability services work in three distinct types of service, each with its own conditions and sources of funding. Conditions for many members changed with the introduction of Modern Awards on January 1, 2010.
Day services
Funded by the Victorian State Government, these are covered by a variety of agreements with employers. They also come under the new Social Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (DOC, 430KB). They used to come under Part 1 of the old Disability Services (Victoria) Award. For more, see below.
Supported employment services
Also known as business services, these are funded by the Commonwealth Government and fall under the Supported Employment Services Award (DOC, 400KB). A handful of employers have agreements with the AEU or with their staff, but most do not. These services were formerly covered by Part 2 of the old award. Current pay rates can be found here (PDF).
Employment or labour market assistance services
Also funded by the Commonwealth, these are covered by the Labour Market Assistance Industry Award. They used to be Part 4 of the old award. A handful have agreements with the AEU or with their staff. For those that do not, current rates of pay can be found here (PDF).
Note: Under the Fair Work Act (section 57), the terms of an award do not apply where an agreement is in operation.
Disability day services
Disability day services employers received funding from July 1 2009, 2010 and 2011 to cover a 3.25% increase in wages each year. VHIA, NDS, HSUA and the AEU have agreed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) under which employers will deliver this pay rise to staff, pending the outcome of the Pay Equity Case (Equal Remuneration Order).
You can click here to see whether your employer is a respondent to the MOU and which pay schedules apply to you. Please contact the AEU if you have not received this pay increase or if you have but your employer is not listed so that we can update our records. Read the signed MOU here (PDF).
Most day services employers have agreements with the AEU. Although almost all of these agreements have passed their end date, they continue to operate until new agreements replace them. The AEU expects that new agreements will be negotiated after the outcome of the equal remuneration case is known.
Wage rates from July 2011
Click on the relevant link below to download wage rate information (PDF):
Disability day services minimum (award) rates
Disability day services with VHIA agreements
Disability day services with VECCI agreements
Disability day services with SIAG agreements
Sheltered/supported employment services (Part 2 of old award)
Employment officers/Labour market assistance (part 4 of old award)
Help and support
If you do not know which agreement or award you fall under, or whether your employer has signed up to an MOU or if you need further assistance, email the AEU Membership Services Unit or call the MSU on (03) 9417 2822.
