New web portal for Social and Community Services sector

A new web portal will provide up-to-date information for social and community services (SACS) organisations impacted by the Fair Work Australia decision on wage increases for sector workers.

Fair Work Australia ruled in February this year that eligible SACS workers will receive a pay increase of between 23 and 45 per cent.

In launching the website, the Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, said the Government is working closely with the sector to explain how and when the Gillard Labor Government will provide its share of supplementation to the sector to help meet the wage increases.

“The Prime Minister committed more than $2.1 billion to deliver this historic pay rise to some of Australia’s lowest paid workers – most of whom are women,” Ms Collins said.

“The new web portal is one of the communication tools we will use to keep the sector informed about how and when we will deliver the supplementation to the sector.

“A lot of work has been done to ensure the Government meets its commitment.”

One part of this work was a survey by the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.

The survey of a sample of SACS providers who received direct Commonwealth funding was published last week.

“At recent meetings with the sector, I received a strong message that those involved want a central hub where they can receive information on the progress of funding supplementation.

“Organisations can subscribe to updates through the website,” Ms Collins said.

The new web portal can be found at FaHCSIA website