Home support workers are being hit hard by rising fuel prices.

These workers care for older people, disabled people and injured people in their homes. They travel from client to client every day, using their own cars to deliver essential care. But the allowance meant to help cover their travel costs has fallen badly behind, even before recent fuel price hikes.

That is why PSA members and supporters are taking part in April Fuels Day events to highlight the financial pressure that 23,000 home support workers are under, and to call for urgent action from the Government.

There is a simple solution available right now. The Government can lift the mileage allowance paid to home and support workers, so they can carry out their important mahi and also be able to feed their whānau.

April Fuels Day events

Home support workers are meeting on 1st April at locations across the motu with their new modes of transport, since they can no longer afford petrol. These events will shine a light on the reality facing home support workers, many of whom are filling up their cars multiple times a week just to get to the people they care for.

If you are a home support worker or want to show solidarity, come along! Bring alternative modes of transport – scooters, wheelbarrows, toy cars, horses (!) – have fun but send a strong message to this Government to increase the mileage allowance now.

See planned events below. This page will be updated as new events are confirmed.

If you can't see an event in your area and you would like to arrange one, please call: 0508367772

Hamilton

1:30pm meet at PSA offices 489 Angelsea Street – walk to Tama Potaka’s office, 109 Rostrevor Street.

Cambridge

1.30pm meet at Victoria Green (by the toilets), Cnr Victoria and Queen Street. 1:45pm walk down to Louise Upston office, 3 Anzac Street.

Nelson

1.30pm meet outside the BP on Haven Road.

Wellington

12.30pm meet at Mobil 4 Johnsonville Road and race to Nicola Willis Office.

Christchurch

1.30pm meet outside NPD Petrol Station, 392 Moorhouse Avenue.

Auckland

1.30pm meet outside the Auckland War Memorial Museum for 'The Ridiculous Race'.

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What is the problem?

The current mileage rate is 63.5 cents per kilometre. It has been unchanged since March 2022.

That rate is now far behind the real cost of driving.

The current IRD mileage rate for petrol vehicles is $1.17 per kilometre.

That means home support workers are being reimbursed at less than two-thirds of the IRD rate. With fuel prices rising sharply, many workers are now being reimbursed at well under half of their actual costs.

A fast fix is available

The PSA is calling for the Government to urgently lift the mileage allowance.

This would be a simple and direct way to help workers who are clearly being hit by rising fuel prices. It would get support to the people who need it without delay.

Home support workers deserve better

Home support workers do critical work every day in communities across Aotearoa. They support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and help hold the health and care system together.

They should not have to choose between paying for petrol and paying for groceries.

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