CHILD protection workers will receive a pay increase following a reform agreement signed by the NSW Government and the Public Service Association (PSA).<\/p>\n
The reforms will raise entry-level caseworker pay by $8283 and increase pay for all 2000 public sector caseworkers by 4 per cent, backdated to 1 July 2024, plus 0.5 per cent in superannuation.<\/p>\n
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said child protection caseworkers have one of the most challenging and important jobs in the world \u2013 keeping vulnerable children safe.<\/p>\n
“I have seen firsthand the incredible difference these workers make to children and families, and I hope that this agreement will encourage more caseworkers to take up positions with DCJ,” Ms Washington said.<\/p>\n
In April, caseworkers from Ballina and Lismore held a stop-work protest over chronic understaffing, citing the Lismore Community Services Centre’s high vacancy rate of 10 unfilled positions.<\/p>\n
PSA secretary Troy Wright said the reforms offered more competitive pay and welcomed further negotiations with the government to improve conditions.<\/p>\n
“It’s an important first step. Lifting the entry levels grade will fix some of the attraction problems; now we need to work on retention,” Mr Wright said.<\/p>\n
A new standalone child protection worker classification will address conditions specific to the role, previously covered under a general classification structure for nearly 80,000 workers.<\/p>\n
Mr Wright also welcomed the decision to ban unaccredited emergency accommodation for children in foster care, effective from March next year.<\/p>\n
He advocated for returning foster care management to government agencies to provide continuity and better care options.<\/p>\n
After the reform process, a three-year pay agreement will be made from 2025\/26 onwards under a new Child Protection Award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHILD protection workers will receive a pay increase following a reform agreement signed by the NSW Government and the Public Service Association (PSA). The reforms will raise entry-level caseworker pay by $8283 and increase pay for all 2000 public sector caseworkers by 4 per cent, backdated to 1 July 2024, plus 0.5 per cent in […]<\/p>\n