The South Australian Government will commit $119 million to ensure that the state’s community sector workers receive their pay rise announced under last year’s Fair Work Australia wage decision for low-paid workers.

Premier Jay Weatherill announced the State Government funding would be used to support workers in areas such as disability, homelessness, mental health and child protection.

“The funding we are announcing today will equate to a pay rise of between 23 and 45 per cent for workers in the community sector,” Mr Weatherill said earlier this week.

The new funding will see the weekly wage of an average worker in the community sector rise from $848 to $892 this year and rise to $1120 by 2021.

“The community sector provides services to people in need – whether they’re under financial pressure, suffering ill-health or living with a disability,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Our discussions with the Australian Services Union and non-government organisations such as the South Australian Council of Social Services and the Association of Major Community Organisations have resulted in the best possible outcome for this hard-working group of people.