SCHADS Award Review Update February 2026 

January and February has been an extremely busy time for the SCHADS Award Review which is being reviewed by the Fair Work Commission.

Feedback process is in full swing for the Alternative Structure – December 2025, for which the Commission invited all stakeholders to comment.

What’s happened so far?  

Over 400 participants from across Australia attended three briefings in January on the SCHADS reform, hosted by the Council of Social Service (COSS) Network.

Each session covered the background of the review, the changes proposed and encouraged the sector to submit their say about classification, pay, equal recognition of experience and qualifications and implementation issues.

The first round of submissions by 6 February received over 70 submissions from social services organisations, including COSS Network and counting.

You still have time to have your say 

The second round of submissions due on 20 February provides an opportunity for the sector to respond to any submissions from the first round.

If you wish to respond by 20 February, view the submissions at the Commission’s webpage. Your feedback will ensure the final Award structure is fair, fit for purpose and operationally viable.

For more detail, read and compare the Alternative Structure – December 2025 and the Draft Determination by FWC July 2025. Additional background information can be found in FWC Discussion Paper April 2025.

Download the NCOSS briefing presentation here.

NCOSS will continue working with the COSS Network to support a coordinated sector response, including lodging a second submission.

For further information please contact justine@ncoss.org.au.