Aged care workers around Australia are set to receive another pay rise, with award wages increasing again across the sector. This is the fourth increase in wages delivered in recent years, providing a major boost to the dedicated workers who care for older Australians every day.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said:
“Aged care workers do an incredible job and they deserve every dollar of this pay rise that we’re delivering.”
The new increase means an extra $60.20 per week for a Registered Nurse at level 2, pay point 3 of the award – the most common level amongst Registered Nurses. This adds up to more than $28,000 a year in additional pay since recent wage reforms began.
Enrolled Nurses will see a rise of $62.40 per week (level 2 award), while Personal Care Workers will benefit from a $39.50 per week increase (level 3 award).
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, said the reforms are also helping to address gender inequality in the workforce:
“The Government put gender equality at the heart of the Fair Work Act, and we now see the Gender Pay Gap is at its equal lowest level on record. Australian women are now earning more than $250 a week more on average than they were before we came to government.”
She added:
“Reducing the gender pay gap was one of the key reasons the government funded the 15 per cent pay increase for aged care carers. The Fair Work Commission recognised the historical gender-based undervaluation of work in aged care, leading to significant wage increases that our government funded.”
The next increase will come on 1 August, with further boosts for registered and enrolled nurses. In total, the Albanese Labor Government has committed $17.7 billion to support the Fair Work Commission’s case to increase award wages for 400,000 workers in the aged care sector.
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, said:
“Aged care workers deserve better pay and more recognition for the meaningful work they do. We’re proud to be funding the largest ever increase to award wages in a work value case for people who care for our loved ones with such compassion.”
He added:
“After a decade of decay under the Coalition, aged care workers were systematically underpaid and undervalued. That ended with the Albanese Labor Government – and this latest pay rise builds on our work to close the gender pay gap and get wages moving.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the wage increases also reflect the broader strength of the economy:
“This investment recognises the big contribution that aged care workers make to our economy and community and will help to create a bigger incentive for young Australians looking for a rewarding career, to pick aged care in the future.
Under Labor, real wages are up, inflation is down, unemployment is low, living standards are growing and people are earning more and keeping more of what they earn.”
When the Government came to office, annual real wages were going backwards. Now, they have grown for seven consecutive quarters. These reforms are part of an economic plan designed to help Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn, and close the gender pay gap.
