SWAA is preparing a formal submission on behalf of support workers, small businesses and independent contractors across Australia — and we want your voice to be part of it.

Let’s make Fair Work hear it straight from the frontline.

Why It Matters:

Every day, we hear from support workers who are:

Confused about how SCHADS applies to their role
Unsure if they’re being paid correctly
Struggling to balance compliance with NDIS funding constraints
Trying to do the right thing — but finding the system almost impossible to navigate

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about fixing a system that’s failing the workforce.

Your stories, experiences and insights will shape SWAA’s submission — and influence the next steps Fair Work takes to improve compliance across the sector.

What We’ll Do With Your Input:

Collect real stories from the workforce (anonymous if you choose)
Summarise key themes and solutions
Present them directly to the Fair Work Ombudsman as part of SWAA’s submission
Advocate for clearer, fairer, more sustainable systems for everyone in the industry

Have Your Say :

Add your voice to SWAA’s submission:

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Email *

What best describes your current role? *

Support worker (employee)

Support worker (independent contractor)

Team leader or coordinator

Employer / provider organisation

NDIS participant / family member

Other

Which state or territory do you work in most often?

NSW

QLD

ACT

Vic

TAS

Roughly how long have you been working in the disability sector?

Less than 1 year

1–3 years

3–5 years

5–10 years

10+ years

How confident are you that you understand your pay and entitlements under the SCHADS Award?

Have you ever found your pay or conditions confusing or inconsistent?

Always

Never

If yes, what made it confusing?

e.g. “Travel time”, “sleepover rates”, “overtime vs broken shifts”

Have you ever raised a pay or entitlements issue with your employer or client?

What’s one thing that would make compliance easier for everyone (workers and employers)?

In your experience, what are the biggest challenges with working under the SCHADS Award?

e.g. complexity, lack of education, financial pressures, admin workload, lack of HR support, etc.

Have you seen or experienced unintentional non-compliance (e.g. pay errors, travel not paid, incorrect breaks)?

If yes, what do you think caused it?

e.g. confusion, unclear rules, pressure from NDIS pricing, limited admin support, etc.

What’s one thing you wish the Fair Work Ombudsman truly understood about working in the disability support sector?

What’s one change that would make your job fairer or more sustainable?

Is there something that actually works well in your workplace or team that Fair Work should know about?

Would you like SWAA to include your story (anonymously) in our submission?

Yes

No Thankyou

Would you be open to joining a small roundtable or follow-up conversation about this?

Yes

No Thankyou

By submitting, you agree that SWAA may use your de-identified responses to support our formal submission to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Disability Support Services Sector Inquiry. No identifying information will be shared without your permission.

Thank you!

By submitting, you’ll also receive updates from the Support Worker Association of Australia on the progress of this inquiry and future advocacy initiatives.

This is our moment to stand up and be counted. Because fair work, fair pay, and fair systems aren’t just policies - they’re human rights.

Company Info

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ABN: 32681289770

Email: hello@swaa.au

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