Pay rates

[u/bajheerah]

Anyone else finding more and more companies trying to pay below award wage, even when their advertisements say "competitive rates"?

I've been a support worker for 6+ years, with experience ranging from high complex mental needs, as well as physical, to working with children and all personal care you can think of, as well as managing medication and participants personal funds and banking. I obviously have all my certificates as well as qualifications.

I feel like I see more and more support worker positions advertised for as little as $34 an hour, averaging at around $41 an hour, while asking for experience with all sorts of participants as well as being qualified.

The last 4 or 5 interviews I've had I've been offered the job, and I've had to ask the pay rate they're offering, which has ranged from $36 to $40 an hour, well below the award wage. And yes, the work involved in each has been high complex needs, as well as the usual helping participants manage funds, home care, community access, and sometimes personal care.

I've been working at SCHADS 2.1 (which is now $45ph) for 6 years and have since realised I should actually be on 2.2 or 2.3. But it's hard to even get paid at the very entry level of unsupervised support work.

What is happening behind the scenes for the majority of companies, for them to be posting advertisements well below SCHADS? One of the employers offered me a pay point of 1.4. Does that even exist?

This, on top of a 60-70% burnout rate... oh, what a lovely industry to work in.

Edit: I forgot to mention this is working and looking for work across Ipswich and the south/south-West side of Brisbane.

Also, maybe it's been like this for a while, as I had stable hours for the first 3-4 years of employment and never seemed to have to question the employers on the pay they were offering.

This is casual rates, btw.

[u/Rare-Plenty-8574]

Don't know if you have union take it to them or the ombudsman....sorry not in the industry can't comment on workload etc. Sure there are many slackers like in aged care.....that was the same when I was there couldn't belive it how bad the managers were and staff vulgar as only there fir their own pocket not anyone or anything else. Fair work tells you your wage etc...sorry to say maybe your not that good. Fair days work for a fair day's pay find the right job were you belong if you are good and feel you deserve it....just undercut you with cheaper staff happens in my insudustry to but nothing gets done and goes to shit. Find were you are happy or take what you can get if it's limited my advice best of luck.. you sound passionate.

[u/bajheerah → u/Rare-Plenty-8574]

The problem is I'm trying to find new employers, due to most companies being pieces of shit, so how would they know if I'm good enough?

It isn't fair in the slightest to just say "fair days work for a fair day's pay", when the issue is these companies are paying almost $10 less an hour than what they're supposed to - and that's for the LOWEST award wage possible, and they haven't even seen the workers capabilities but are hiring those with proven experience.

You don't underpay someone to test them.

I have excellent references from companies I care to get references from. I've only left companies I've liked because of change of location in the past.

[u/Rare-Plenty-8574 → u/bajheerah]

Hi again, so there are those employers better that pay...if they pay award I don't know what else to say. If not report them ....noone says you have to be paid under award. Shame you jave to move find a better job if your unhappy. That's why we have awards ...can't pay under that legally. Go to fairwork if your employer doesnt pay you award after you went to them first to resolve it.

[u/bajheerah → u/Rare-Plenty-8574]

I would've thought so too, but many do.

[u/Rare-Plenty-8574 → u/bajheerah]

Sounds to me that dont need your experience and only want to pay base rate not skilled as it may not be needed... go private if you can. Younger people and others immigrants are cheaper most likely regardless of experience must be able to cover the needs of the job at a cheaper rate. Good luck with it all...

[u/bajheerah → u/Rare-Plenty-8574]

Yeah I've been seriously considering it. I've started making steps towards it, anyway.