Community Pay Rise Closer
31 October 2012 at 2:06 pm
Pay rises for some 150,000 community workers have moved a step closer after legislation passed in the Senate.
Introduced with the Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012, the bill creates a special account under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to administer the social and community services award funding adjustments for providers of certain Commonwealth programs that have been identified as having social and community services workers.
The changes were dictated by Fair Work Australia's landmark decision in February to award equal pay for those in the social and community services sector.
Under the Federal Government's legislation a special account will be established to fund the changes, which will offer pay boosts of between 23 and 45 per cent.
The Federal Government has committed to contribute $2.8 billion into the account, much of which will be provided to the sector via State and Territory Governments.
The pay rises are expected to begin in December, 2012.
