Who took part in the research in 2020?

Information about the disability workers who took part in the 2020 study.

An effort was made to recruit people from all disability settings across Victoria. As in previous years, survey participants were most commonly aged 45-64. In 2020 there was a larger representation of workers located in regional Victoria than in previous years of the study. Overall, participants were more likely to be employed part-time in the non-for-profit or charitable sector. The majority worked in a residential setting and were members of the Health and Community Services Union. Key characteristics of survey participants are represented in figures below.

Key characteristics of survey participants

Form of employment

  • 38% of respondents had a permanent full-time job with paid leave entitlements;
  • 41% had a permanent part-time job with paid leave entitlements;
  • 3% had a fixed-term contract with paid leave entitlements; and
  • 18% had a casual job without paid leave entitlements.

Sector

  • 60% of respondents worked for a not for profit or charitable organisation;
  • 19% worked in a privately owned, for profit organisation;
  • and 21% worked for a public, government, or government owned organisation.

Disability Setting

  • 63% of respondents worked in residential settings;
  • 13% in a day activity program;
  • 18% in community access;
  • 8% in support coordination/case management;
  • 15% in-home support;
  • 7% in respite;
  • 6% in allied health;
  • 6% in other settings;
  • 4% in management/HR;
  • 3% in administration;
  • 3% in outreach;
  • 2% in employment services
  • 1% in early intervention; and
  • 1% were volunteers.

Union Membership

  • 70% of respondents were members of the Health and Community Health Services Union;
  • 9% were members of another Unions
  • 20% were not members of a union; and
  • 2% preferred not to disclose this information.

Updated