Know your rights at work
Support for Disability Support Workers
Every Disability Support Worker deserves safe, fair and respectful workplace environments – but too often, that’s not the reality.
If you’re unsure about your pay, safety, hours or how you’re being treated at work – you're not alone – the Australian Service Union (ASU) is always by your side.
Common workplace issues we help members with
Underpayment and wage theft
More than 2 in 3 Disability Support Workers are underpaid - often by thousands per year.
Some NDIS employers intentionally misclassify workers to avoid paying proper SCHADS Award wages and pocket the difference from NDIS funding. This is wage theft.
We help members to:
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Check and understand their pay rates and classifications
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Recover unpaid wages and superannuation
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Fix incorrect penalty rates, overtime, leave accruals or deductions
In FY24, ASU members recovered over $7.5 million in unpaid wages and super.
‘I’m proud to be a union member and grateful the ASU helped me receive my backpay’ - Georgia, Disability Support Worker and ASU member
Workplace bullying or harassment
No one should feel disrespected, unsafe, or isolated at work - especially in a role that supports others. Bullying can have a serious impact on your mental health.
If you’re experiencing bullying from a manager, colleague, or someone else at work, the ASU is here to help. We’re often the first call members make when something doesn’t feel right.
We provide:
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Practical advice and support
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Advocacy and protection when you need someone in your corner
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Industrial advice to protect you and your job
Leave entitlements
We help members understand your rights to:
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Annual leave
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Sick and carers leave
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Paid parental leave
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Portable Long Service Leave (new entitlement ASU won for NSW disability and community sector workers)
Broken Shifts Rules under the SCHADS Award
Unpaid gaps between rostered shifts? It may be a broken shift – which is only legal under specific conditions, and you must be paid more.
We'll help you:
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Understand if your roster is lawful
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Check if you’re being paid the correct allowances
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Dispute and resolve non-compliant shifts practices under the Award
Casual Conversion
Under the Fair Work Act, some casual workers now have the right to request permanent part-time or full-time work. These rights were strengthened in 2024 under the Closing Loopholes reforms championed by the ASU.
We support you to:
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Check your eligibility
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Convert to part-time or full-time (if you want to)
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Access paid leave and job security
Final pay, redundancies and dismissals
If you’re leaving a job or were let go, we help make sure:
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You’ve been paid everything you’re owed
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Your dismissal was lawful
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Your CV is ready for your next job
We can also provide expert advice and guidance for lodging unfair dismissal claims.
Right to Disconnect
In 2024, union members campaigned for and won the Right to Disconnect. Since then, unpaid overtime dropped by 33% within five months of this becoming law.
We can help you to:
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Understand your rights under the new law
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Push back if you’re being contacted outside hours beyond what is considered reasonable
Contract and workplace policy reviews
Before you sign a new contract or if your workplace introduces new policies, ASU can help review them.
We check for:
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Missing entitlements
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Unlawful clauses
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Non-compliance with the SCHADS Award
Other workplace issues we support members with:
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Warnings or unfair treatment
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Discrimination or adverse action
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Changes in duties or rosters
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Workers compensation claims (we recommend contacting your union BEFORE you tell your employer about your plans to make a claim)
Need help or have a question about your rights?
We’re by your side.
Join thousands of disability support workers who are already getting the support they need through the ASU. Your membership is tax-deductible.