Well written article Kym. my opinion is that the situation re pay scales in relation to aged/disibility/home care workers is worsening at a rapid rate thanks to our elected politicians belief that australian workplace agreements are a good thing. Do any of them work under this guideline? having worked as an eca and now as a trainer and assessor of carers i note with interest how readily managment in the health care field have taken to awa`s for their front line workers while ensuring that their pay rates stay under the community services union award. For home care workers especially who in the course of their days employment also have the added impost of using their own car (for which they recieve a pittance). Refusal to accept the conditions of awa`s results in you not being offered work. Pay peanuts get monkeys.