Aged care workers receive fourth award wages increase

Workers who provide aged care services to older Australians have received a fourth increase in award wages. For the most common level among registered nurses (level 2, pay point 3 of the award), the increase means an extra $60.20 per week for a registered nurse. On top of a previous increase to aged care wages, they will now be more than $28,000 a year better off.

For enrolled nurses, the increase is by $62.40 per week (for a level 2 award) and personal care workers will also benefit from this increase by $39.50 per week (for a level 3 award). There will also be a further increase in aged care wages next year, the Australian Government said — with the next boost coming on 1 August for registered and enrolled nurses.

“Aged care workers do an incredible job and they deserve every dollar of this pay rise that we’re delivering,” Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. “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.”

To support the Fair Work Commission’s case to increase award wages for 400,000 workers in the aged care sector, the government said its total investment amounts to $17.7 billion.

“Aged care workers deserve better pay and more recognition for the meaningful work they do,” Australia’s Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae said. “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.”

More information is available here, via the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

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