The Federal Government has announced employers have started receiving the Commonwealth’s share of social and community sector workers’ pay rises from the $2.8 billion Pay Equity Special Account.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Education and Workplace Relations, Senator Jacinta Collins, said funding is crucial to supporting people who mostly occupy highly challenging jobs helping some of the most vulnerable in the community.

"These pay rises will total between 23 and 45 per cent,” Senator Collins said.

"In December 2012 employees received their first pay rise and eligible employers received financial support from the Commonwealth to fund these pay rises.

"Fair Work Australia’s ruling to provide pay equity was a historic achievement for women. Around 120,000 of the 150,000 workers covered by this pay equity order are women.”