ACWA welcomes Government’s landmark pay deal for child protection workers

The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) applauds the NSW Government’s landmark pay deal for public sector child protection workers, describing it as a vital step to strengthen the sector at a time of unprecedented demand. ACWA also acknowledges the contribution and dedication of Non Government Organisation (NGO) child protection workers across New South Wales, who continue to deliver high-quality outcomes for children and families despite the pressures of increasing demand and at times negative media scrutiny.

ACWA CEO Simone Czech says: “This announcement comes at a critical time. The recruitment and retention of caseworkers is more challenging than ever. The demand for child protection services is at an all-time high, a reality also faced daily by our member NGOs with many stretched to capacity. In such a climate, ensuring that all caseworkers are fairly remunerated is essential to stabilising the system and safeguarding continuity of service delivery. ACWA calls on the NSW Government to continue to work with peak organisations to ensure a whole of sector approach to recruitment, retention and wellbeing of all casework staff, not just government staff, providing these vital services and supports to vulnerable children and their families”.

At the same time, ACWA highlights national concerns, noting the Australian Services Union’s (ASU) National Day of Action on 23 October to protect equal pay and improve the SCHADS Award for community and disability workers. With a case currently before the Fair Work Commission that could see pay and job classifications reduced by hundreds of dollars a week, ACWA stresses the importance of recognising and valuing the work of frontline community services staff.

“ACWA stands firmly with the community services workforce and the ASU in calling for fair pay and job security. The future of our sector depends on it,” Ms Czech says.

While this pay deal specifically targets public sector child protection workers, its implications extend to the broader early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in several key ways:

Cross-sector workforce recognition

Improving pay and conditions for child protection workers highlights the essential nature of care and support roles across the human services sector. This sets a precedent for better valuing the ECEC workforce, which shares similar challenges in terms of recruitment, retention and public recognition.

Elevating sector-wide standards

As frontline community services gain stronger wage protections and workforce conditions, there is increasing momentum for similar reforms in early childhood education, especially where ECEC professionals work closely with vulnerable children and families.

Shared workforce challenges

The child protection and ECEC sectors are interlinked through shared goals of child safety, wellbeing and development. Both sectors face pressure from high caseloads, staff shortages and burnout. A fairer, more stable workforce in child protection can help reduce systemic pressures that impact ECEC settings, especially in areas of child safety referrals and wraparound support.

Policy momentum for whole-of-sector solutions

ACWA’s call for a whole-of-sector approach to recruitment, retention and wellbeing resonates with similar calls from the ECEC sector. Strengthening collaboration and investment across all care-related workforces, including early childhood educators, could help build a more robust support system for children and families.