From 1 July, the Fair Work Commission amended the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.
A key change is the introduction of a minimum two-hour engagement period for casual and part time home care workers – an increase from the previous minimum engagement period of one hour.
The change has resulted in positive outcomes for home care workers – including improved worker protection and increased incentive to work in the sector – and it brings the SCHADS Award in line with other awards too.
However, participants are reporting that some providers are imposing a minimum two-hour engagement period for the provision of support or advising them they will be charged for two hours of support even when less time is required to deliver the supports needed.
This advice to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants is incorrect – providers can’t mandate a minimum engagement period or charge for additional time.
