Missing Meal Allowances? CPSU NSW raises member concerns with Life Without Barriers
26 May 2026
CPSU NSW has been contacted by members raising concerns regarding the apparent non-payment of meal allowances at Life Without Barriers.
Under Clause 20.5 – Meal Allowance of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS) where an employee is required to work overtime and is entitled to a meal allowance, the employer must either provide an adequate meal where suitable cooking and dining facilities are available or pay a meal allowance in addition to any overtime payments.
Following concerns raised by members, the union has formally raised this matter with Life Without Barriers. The employer has advised that it is currently considering the issue and looking at a national approach moving forward.
At this stage, discussions are ongoing, and we are seeking further information regarding how the Award provisions have been applied and whether members may have been impacted.
If you believe you may have worked overtime and not received a meal allowance where one may have been payable, we encourage you to review your records and retain copies of rosters, timesheets, and payslips.
This issue highlights the importance of being a union member. It is through members raising concerns that CPSU NSW can identify issues, pursue them with employers, and seek resolution on a collective basis.
A stronger membership means a stronger voice in the workplace. If your colleagues are not yet members, encourage them to join and stand with us.
We will continue engaging with the employer and provide members with a further update once more information becomes available.
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