COSS Network SCHADS Briefing

Following multiple rounds of submissions and hearings over a six-month period, the Fair Work Commission released an Alternative Award Structure on 19 December 2025. This represents a significant improvement on the Provisional Determination handed down in April 2025, largely due to sustained advocacy from key stakeholders, including the ASU, HSU and the COSS Network.

To ensure the sector’s voices are fully considered, the FWC has agreed to another round of submissions.

Information sessions

The COSS Network is hosting information sessions to answer questions and discuss the implications of the proposed Alternative Structure. 

All COSS Network members and sector colleagues across all states and territories are welcome to attend any of the three sessions. 

This session will be delivered by NCOSS.

Submissions

We strongly encourage individual organisations to provide feedback directly to the FWC, drawing on your frontline experience, to help ensure the final Award structure is fair, fit for purpose and operationally viable.

Submission deadlines

• Initial written submissions: 5:00 pm (AEDT), Friday 6 February 2026

• Submissions in reply: 5:00 pm (AEDT), Friday 20 February 2026

Submissions should be lodged by email to [email protected].

For more detail, you may wish to read and compare the Alternative Structure – December 2025 and the Draft Determination by FWC July 2025. Additional background information can be found in FWC Discussion Paper April 2025.