Work Conditions in Home and Community Care: The Case of Western Australia

Abstract

This paper reports findings from a study concerning the impact of award restructuring and enterprise bargaining on a predominantly female workforce—that of domiciliary carers involved in the delivery of home help, personal care and respite services. We found that these workers have been unable to take advantage of award restructuring. Although they are multi-skilled and flexible workers, they are not provided with opportunities for systematic or accredited training, receive low wages, have no opportunities for career advancement, and face considerable health and safety risks in their work. The study was conducted in 1993 in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia.