Bargaining continues at the disability provider.
The CPSU NSW and disability service provider Aruma have been bargaining for about three years, yet have been unable to agree to a new Enterprise Agreement.
Since privatisation, CPSU NSW members who were transferred employees from the Ageing, Disability and Home Care to Aruma had their pay rates ‘grandparented; to the superior conditions of the previous Community Living Award (CLA). While this has been a protection from pay cuts, it has effectively resulted in a pay freeze for several years.
The conditions of the privatisation of the disability sector ensured that Fair Work Commission (FWC) annual pay increases would not be passed on to CPSU NSW members while their rates of pay remained higher than the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHaDS) Award. This pay freeze is the direct result from the then NSW Coalition Government’s privatisation of the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care Services in 2017, after the CPSU NSW’s five-year battle to prevent the outsourcing.
Despite the sales provision, the union continued to fight for Aruma to pass on the FWC increase to ensure they keep up with cost-of-living pressures.
Members who transferred to Aruma on Level 9 (and below) of the Community Living Award should already be receiving pay increases via the FWC annual review negotiated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
“Aruma has continually said no to passing on pay rises to all members working in disability support roles,” said General Secretary Stewart Little. “Their rationale being not until everyone catches up to the SCHaDS Award.
“Aruma’s decision saves the company hundreds of thousands of dollars on its wages bill, while continuing to force members to struggle to make ends meet. Our union is fighting to stop this.
“The vast majority of CPSU NSW members should receive a pay rise in 2026, via the FWC Annual Wage Review, once the SCHaDS Award catches up to their wages.”
Along with the other unions, the CPSU NSW participated in the Enterprise Bargaining Collaborative Approaches training at the FWC on 5 and 6 November 2025.
The Public Service Association of NSW and Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and the places in which we live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future. We recognise the unique cultural and spiritual relationship and celebrate the contributions of first nations peoples to Australia.
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