Federal government submission to work value case

The Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) has welcomed the federal government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission Work Value case.

ACCPA Interim CEO Paul Sadler said the submission, while not nominating the size of the wage increase, reaffirms the government’s commitment made during the election campaign to fully fund the outcome of the case.

“We are also pleased the government supports a staged implementation of any wage increase which would be determined by the Fair Work Commission consulting with the parties to the case,” Sadler said.

“ACCPA supports higher wages and improved working conditions for aged care staff working across the sector including home and community care, and residential aged care.”

Sadler said the Work Value case is examining the pay of award wage workers in the aged care sector in relation to the work that they do and how the nature of their work has changed over time.

“The Work Value case is a first step towards improving wages and conditions for those aged care workers receiving award wages,” Sadler said.

“Workforce shortages and the need to attract staff to work in aged care are critical issues for providers of residential, home and community care. Staff shortages have become an acute problem during the pandemic.

“The commitment to fully fund the outcome is a crucial step in attracting workers into aged care and towards making the sector an employer of choice.

“We are keen for the government to engage with providers and unions on how the new AN-ACC (Australian National Aged Care Classification) funding model for residential aged care and the future Support at Home program will work with the new Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority.

“Once it is established, the new Authority will recommend the pricing of aged services, and this will need to reflect the actual costs of providing aged services including the outcome of the Work Value case expected in the new year,” Sadler said.

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