Skilled Respected Equal Alliance

The Skilled Respected Equal Alliance is a coalition of sector organisations committed to working together to:

  1. Modernise the SCHADS Award to provide better pay and career pathways for workers

  2. Secure the government funding needed to implement these crucial reforms.

For 30 years, the classification system in the social, community, and disability services sector has remained outdated, despite the growing complexity and value of this essential work. The Australian Services Union (ASU) has launched a major case in the Fair Work Commission to fix this. But real change will require government backing. That’s why we are bringing workers and employers together to support the ASU application in the Fair Work Commission and also advocate jointly to governments to properly fund and implement any new classification structure.

By joining the Skilled Respected Equal Alliance, organisations are committing to working collaboratively with the ASU and its members to:

  • Support a fit-for-purpose classification system that provides better pay and career pathways for workers in the sector

  • Advocate together for governments to properly fund and implement any the new classification structure

  • ACOSS

  • Community Legal Centres Australia

  • VCOSS

  • NSW Council of Social Services

  • DVNSW

  • Homelessness NSW

  • Association of Child Welfare Agencies

  • Mental Health Coordinating Council of NSW

  • Women's Health NSW

  • FAMS

  • Life Without Barriers

  • Mackillop Family Services

  • Knowmore

  • Aruma

  • Marist 180

  • Includa Disability Support

  • Blue Mountains Women's Health Resource Centre

  • Northern Rivers Community Gateway

  • Asian Women at Work

  • Eurella Disability Services

  • Manning Support Services

  • New England Support Services

  • Sydney Women's Counselling Services

Who’s Already Joined?

The following organisations have joined the Skilled Respected Equal Alliance:

  • Guthrie House

  • Bonnie Support Services

  • The Junction Works

  • Bankstown Women's and Girls Centre

  • Jannawi Family Centre

  • Lillian Howell Project

  • Speak Out Advocacy

  • Bankstown Women's Health

  • Greenacre Community Centre

  • Flintwood Disability Services

  • Southern Youth and Family Services

  • Caretakers Cottage

  • South East Women & Children's Services

  • Ethnic Communities Co-op Services

  • Albion Park Rail Neighbourhood Centre

  • SCALES Community Legal Centre

  • Palmerston

  • People With Disabilities (WA) Inc

  • Working Women's Centre SA

  • Uniting SA

  • Women's Safety Services South Australia

  • Shine SA

  • Diamond House: Clubhouse Inc

  • St John’s Youth Service

  • GenWest

  • Thorne Harbour Health

  • Housing for the Aged Action Group

  • Flat Out

  • Gold Coast Youth Services

  • Community Legal Centres QLD

  • The Disability Trust

  • CLC NSW

  • Basic Rights Queensland

  • Valmar

  • Islamic Women's Association of Australia

  • Justice and Equity Centre

  • Uniting Vic Tas

  • Endeavour Foundation

  • Synapse

  • Youth Affairs Network Qld

  • Lives Lived Well

  • QCOSS

  • WACOSS

  • CEWA

  • Laverton Community Centre

  • Launch Housing 

  • Alliance 20

  • First Nations Women’s Legal Services QLD Inc.

  • St Vincent De Paul Society QLD

Join the Alliance

Let’s work together to ensure the Award reflects the skills, experience and value of community and disability sector work. A united sector voice can have a greater impact.

If your organisation supports the work of the ASU in updating the SCHADS Award and wants to support the work of the Skilled Respected Equal Campaign, join our Alliance for a better Award. To join the Skilled, Respected, Equal Alliance, contact your local ASU branch here.