Disability Services
We fought to protect workers and make the NDIS the best it can be
We won portable long service leave, secured fee-free TAFE for disability support workers, and achieved a 3.5% SCHADS Award pay rise.
This year we won back millions in stolen wages for members. The ASU secured the largest ever Fair Work Ombudsman inquiry into an industry to root out dodgy practices and get the NDIS back on track. After ASU members raised safety breaches an NDIS provider was fined $2 million.
We also welcomed the introduction of the NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Bill, which will increase the maximum fines for NDIS fraud to $16 million
Together we're closing loopholes, improving pay and holding dodgy providers to account.
2025 Fran Teirney Award
Jackie Romein, CEO of Flintwood Disability Services in Western Sydney, has been a proud and active ASU member for 30 years across both the CEO and Disability Sector Subdivisions.
A respected leader in her industry, Jackie is a unionist who encourages colleagues to join and supports the ASU in all collective endeavours.
She is a powerful advocate, speaking out against wage theft in the NDIS, championing portable training, and pushing for a stronger Award.
Her advocacy saw her chosen as one of only two CEOs in NSW to help design portable long service leave legislation. Jackie is also an activist, mobilising workers in campaigns from Equal Pay to Skilled, Respected, Equal rallies.
Jackie’s dedication, inclusivity, and tireless activism make her a worthy recipient of the Fran Teirney Award.
Congratulations Jackie Romein on winning our 2025 Fran Teirney Award!
Skilled, Respected, Equal
In April, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) proposed a new SCHADS Award that threatened to cut wages for workers in the community and disability sector.
The ASU united the sector and gained support from both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to reject this proposal and instead fix the SCHADS Award, ensuring better recognition and pay for workers. Only the Australian Industry Group (AIG) – a big business lobby group with minimal ties to the community sector supported the FWC’s proposal, demanding disastrous wage cuts for 73% of workers in the sector.
Thousands joined our nationwide demonstrations and revived the flash mob to protest AIG’s push for pay cuts. Last month, the FWC announced they would take more time to consider ASU’s feedback with a decision expected before Christmas.
