- New Child Protection Industrial Agreement now in effect
- Agreement provides improved conditions and salary uplifts for frontline workers across Western Australia
- Follows successful negotiations between the Cook Government and the CPSU/CSA
A new Child Protection Industrial Agreement has come into effect today, delivering salary uplifts and improved conditions for the child protection workforce.
Earlier this year, Western Australian child protection workers, now called Child Safety Practitioners, overwhelmingly supported the offer put forward by the Cook Labor Government to establish a distinct industrial agreement.
The agreement provides a salary scale uplift, along with improved conditions and enhanced opportunities for career development and progression for Child Safety Practitioners across the State.
The agreement also incentivises more individuals to join the workforce, through enhancements in salaries for entry level child protection positions, expanded scope of qualifications suitable for appointment, and access to a qualifications allowance.
The agreement was officially registered following a hearing with the WA Industrial Relations Commission.
The Cook Government continues to deliver record investment across the child protection workforce. This includes $30.9 million for an additional 55 Child Safety Practitioners and
offering incentives for child protection workers to work in regional WA.
As stated by Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk:
"The Cook Labor Government in partnership with the CPSU/CSA has delivered on a new standalone Industrial Agreement to attract and retain more frontline workers to the child protection workforce.
"Child Safety Practitioners play a vital role in supporting some of Western Australia's most vulnerable children and young people, and these salary and classification structure improvements recognise the skill and value of this workforce."
As stated by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"The new agreement complements the Cook Government's record investment in the child protection system to keep more children and young people safe and supported.
"There has never been a better time to join the child protection workforce and truly make a difference to the lives of Western Australia's most vulnerable children and young people."
