The state’s leading provider of child and family services has congratulated the Andrews Government’s much needed new support for the community services workforce.
Paul McDonald, CEO of Anglicare Victoria, welcomed the government’s Community Services Fair Jobs Code and indexation rates, which will provide greater security for the workforce, ensuring the sector remains strong and viable and continues to provide much needed services to Victorian families and young people.
“I want to congratulate the Andrews Government, Premier and the Victorian Treasurer on this significant funding reform. The new indexation formula addresses the chronic cost pressures sector organisations consistently face and will allow us to provide services with certainty and without funding concerns being front of mind,” Mr McDonald said.
“At Anglicare Victoria, we’re seeing more and more people seeking support who have never needed it before. With demand for social services sky high, it gives me confidence to know that the sector will remain sustainable and well supported so we can continue to help our most vulnerable.
“The new funding model from the Victorian Government will help to attract and keep staff working in community sector roles,” Mr McDonald said.
Anglicare Victoria currently employs more than 2000 staff to deliver close to 200 programs across the state. Recent data from Anglicare Australia’s Essential Workers Report found that full time essential workers in secure jobs were struggling to find affordable housing near their place of employment, as housing costs are currently growing faster than wages.
More information about the Andrews Government’s community services indexation announcement can be found here.