Health and Community Services Union (HACSU)

14/10/2026

Today is International Allied Health Professions Day and we want to celebrate all of our incredible members in allied health, as well as allied health professionals across Australia and the crucial work they do in their communities ✊🎉💕

09/10/2026

When Lived Experiences are heard, real change happens. Today, on World Mental Health Day HACSU are proud to celebrate this year’s theme that recognises the real impact of real LLEW voices.

To all our LLEW members and to all those who work in Mental Health, HACSU State Secretary, Paul Healey and Assistant State Secretary, Rebecca Sprekos share a message of solidarity and highlight the importance of why we must stand united in improving outcomes for our LLEW workforce. 💛✊

01/10/2026

Wage increases start today! 🎉

Today, we celebrate a historic win for Health Professionals across Victoria as the phased minimum wage increases under the HPSS Award commence. This hard-won milestone comes following the outcome of the Fair Work Commission’s Gender Undervaluation Review.

From today, Allied Health Professionals in public mental health services will also see increases to EBA rates thanks to the staunch member-led campaign that ran alongside the Health Professionals Wage Review in Mental Health. A true victory that HACSU members can own and be proud of.

This is what we fight for. THIS is what Union is. ✊

Questions about the wage increases? Keep an eye on your emails or contact HACSU assist on 1300 651 931.

29/09/2026

The Victorian government has announced new protocols for responding to mental crisis incidents.

However, according to reporting from the ABC, the union representing Victoria's ambulance workers says it found out about the plan for paramedics to take over responsibility for mental health call-outs through the media.

In a statement, HACSU said that "it is our strong position that neither police nor paramedics should be responding to (mental health call-outs) without mental health workers on site. The evidence is clear: when police, ambulance and mental health workers respond together and collaboratively, consumers receive the best possible treatment, care and support."

Read more here: https://buff.ly/E8YXC6i

27/09/2026

24/09/2026

Today, HACSU Assistant Secretary Rebecca Sprekos and members Lee, Zoe, Kate and Monique met with Premier Ben Carroll and Minister Stitt to talk about our recent 28.8% wage increase and what that actually means for workers in allied health.

This isn’t just a number on paper. It’s about recognising the value of allied health professionals and the vital work they do every day across public mental health.

28.8% is a major win. And meeting with the Premier today was an opportunity to put this win into context and to make sure the voices of workers remain at the centre of the conversation.

Thank you to every HACSU member who stood strong and helped make this happen. 💙

THIS is what collective strength looks like.

23/09/2026

HACSU members made the news recently, following strikes and a demonstration outside Scope HQ. Members have been trying to reach an agreement that will support workers and provide safe, secure homes for hundreds of residents.

In a statement to The Age, HACSU State Secretary Paul Healey said, “This is the same company that has shut approximately 45 houses and are proposing to remove all of the transport options for people with disability who live in their group homes... Workers aren’t stupid, and they’re not copping it.”

With the end of the State Government subsidy for formerly government-run disability housing, along with recent changes to the NDIS, disability care in Victoria is in a state of major turmoil.

We're calling on the State and Federal Governments to step up and show they care about Australians with disabilities – and the workers who support them – by introducing independent pricing, mandatory registration, and block funding for SIL housing.

Read more: https://buff.ly/cLBI7Nn

21/09/2026

Nineteen of Victoria’s 21 adult mental health and wellbeing services are failing to meet their target for admitting acutely mentally unwell Victorians to a bed within eight hours – according to reporting from The Age this week.

“The royal commission provided a ray of hope that things were going to get better but through their failures, [the Victorian government’s] unwillingness to listen and collaborate with us, I fear that dream has been crushed beyond repair,” said HACSU State Secretary Paul Healey.

The lack of funding, support, and staffing for public mental health care has serious knock-on effects in every area of our health system. It's time for the government to commit to guaranteed staffing ratios and transparent funding in mental health.

Read more: https://buff.ly/KrFpwWF

21/09/2026

Vale Tim Read (1962-2026)

The Health and Community Services Union officials, staff, and members wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Tim Read.

An enduring friend to our union, Tim was a staunch, intelligent, and deeply empathetic comrade who always took every opportunity to stand side by side with HACSU members working across disability, mental health, and AOD.

From joining us on picket lines, to meeting with workers on site, Tim’s commitment to accessible public healthcare was an inspiration to our members and a shining example of the good politicians can do in public life.

We are deeply saddened by Tim’s passing – it is a great loss. We are beyond grateful for our many years working together and will miss his curiosity, steadfastness, and solidarity immensely.

Fly high, Brother Read

14/09/2026

Disability workers at one of Australia's largest ​service providers rallied out the front of Scope Head Office on Friday to demand a better offer for their EBA, of which we have been negotiating for 2 years.

We stood strong in solidarity as we called for an end to cuts that will see workers, participants and families worse off.

Special thanks to We Are Union @ VAHPA_alliedhealth Maritime Union of Australia - Victoria Branch Protect Our NDIS Naarm Amy Mills and Tom McIntosh for standing with us and amplifying the voices of vulnerable people across the state.