Updated: 11am, Friday 16 January 2026
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is reviewing the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award 2010 to address gender-based undervaluation. TasCOSS is working with the COSS Network to support a coordinated industry response and invites organisations to have their say in the next round of consultation.
Following multiple rounds of submissions and hearings over a six month period, the FWC released an Alternative Award Structure on 19 December 2025. This represents an improvement on the Provisional Determination handed down in April 2025, largely due to sustained advocacy from key stakeholders, including the ASU, HSU and the COSS Network.
Key Improvements:
The Alternative Structure includes several positive shifts for the industry, most notably:
- Protection of pay: The introduction of adjustments, including an additional classification level, to reduce the risk of workers experiencing a reduction in pay.
- Recognition of expertise: New definitions and clauses that better recognise both industry experience and lived experience.
For more detail, you may wish to read and compare the Alternative Structure and the Draft Determination. Additional background information can be found in FWC’s Discussion Paper.
Have your Say:
TasCOSS continues to work with the COSS Network to participate in the SCHADS Industry Award review. A huge thank you to NCOSS, QCOSS and VCOSS for leading this work and representing the COSS Network over many days at the FWC conferences. As a result of our advocacy and to ensure the industry’s voices are fully considered, we’re pleased the FWC has agreed to another round of submissions.
We strongly encourage individual organisations to provide feedback directly to the FWC, drawing on your frontline experience, to help ensure the final Industry Award structure is fair, fit for purpose and operationally viable.
Submission Deadlines:
- Initial written submissions: 5pm (AEDT), Friday 6 February 2026
- Submissions in reply: 5pm (AEDT), Friday 20 February 2026
Submissions should be lodged by email to awards@fwc.gov.au.
Priority Areas for Feedback:
If you choose to make a submission, the following priority areas may assist. Please refer to the Alternative Structure and the Provisional Structure for specific details.
- Comparison — why the Alternative Structure is an improvement on the Provisional Determination. In particular:
- Does it adequately protect workers’ pay?
- Does it provide clearer definitions of social and community services (SACS) roles?
- Does it allow for an easier transition from the current SCHADS Industry Award structure?
- Classifications — the appropriate entry level for SACS workers under the new structure, including:
- How classifications in the Alternative Structure compare with those currently used in your organisation; and
- What you consider the appropriate entry level into SACS work.
- Equivalency — feedback on clauses relating to equivalency of qualifications and experience (including lived experience), such as:
- How useful the definitions and clauses are for recruitment and performance assessment; and
- Whether they reflect current practice, and how they could be improved and/or implemented.
- Impact — any significant operational or implementation considerations for your organisation.
Next Steps and Support:
We recognise that January is a high-demand period and that many staff may be on well-deserved leave. To support COSS members around Australia, NCOSS, VCOSS and QCOSS will be hosting information sessions to answer questions and discuss the implications of the Alternative Structure. All COSS Network members and industry colleagues across all states and territories are welcome to attend any of the three sessions. Session dates are:
- 1pm (AEDT), Wednesday 21 January 2026, hosted by NCOSS
- 2pm (AEDT), Thursday 22 January 2026, hosted by VCOSS
- 10am (AEST), Wednesday 28 January 2026, hosted by QCOSS
To attend, please register your interest online. All sessions will present the same information. A short pre-briefing reading will be provided by email for your convenience.
Coordinating a national response: TasCOSS will continue working with the COSS Network to support a coordinated industry response. The COSS Network will also lodge a joint submission in February 2026.
If you have any questions or concerns about the SCHADS Industry Award review, please don’t hesitate to contact Todd Sculthorpe, Policy & Reform Lead, via email.