![The annual cost of the NDIS is expected to pass more than $50 billion by 2025/26. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS The annual cost of the NDIS is expected to pass more than $50 billion by 2025/26. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/81d17797-87ae-41fd-a57e-701a582a1e9b.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Unions claim some NDIS workers are being underpaid by as much as $9 an hour and have launched a fight to secure minimum payment rates at the Fair Work Commission.
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The Australian Services Union, Australian Workers Union, Health Services Union and United Workers Union want providers to stop classifying staff as home care workers instead of social and community services employees.
The difference between the two can be up to $9 per hour and it's estimated up to one in 10 providers are underpay their staff, the unions claim.
The case kicked off at the Fair Work Commission in Melbourne on Tuesday as they push for changes to the the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award.
![Australian Services Union spokesman Angus McFarland says workers are being "ripped off". (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) Australian Services Union spokesman Angus McFarland says workers are being "ripped off". (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/8c03bb83-c976-4e28-a50b-b54429bd1091.jpg/r0_0_1280_720_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We can no longer sustain a 'whack-a-mole' approach to deal with dodgy providers in the NDIS," Australian Services Union spokesman Angus McFarland said.
"There are too many rorts and workers being ripped off.
"We are taking action in the Fair Work Commission to ban this practice once and for all.
He stressed the case is not about pushing for wage increases or extra funding but instead ensuring workers are paid minimum award rates.
The federal government is attempting to pass a suite of NDIS reforms aimed at reining in the scheme's costs, which would reduce the number of eligible new participants and changing funding criteria.
The annual cost of the NDIS is expected to pass more than $50 billion by 2025/26, higher than the annual cost of Medicare.
Australian Associated Press