Pay rise for workers protecting vulnerable children

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 superannuation.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said child protection caseworkers have one of the most challenging and important jobs in the world – keeping vulnerable children safe.

“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.

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.

PSA secretary Troy Wright said the reforms offered more competitive pay and welcomed further negotiations with the government to improve conditions.

“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.

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.

Mr Wright also welcomed the decision to ban unaccredited emergency accommodation for children in foster care, effective from March next year.

He advocated for returning foster care management to government agencies to provide continuity and better care options.

After the reform process, a three-year pay agreement will be made from 2025/26 onwards under a new Child Protection Award.