Aged care workers across Australia are set to receive another wage increase as the Federal Government delivers its fourth boost to award wages in the sector.
The latest rise will mean an extra $60.20 per week for a registered nurse at the most common level, equating to more than $28,000 a year better off compared with before Labor came to office. Enrolled nurses will see their weekly pay go up by $62.40, while personal care workers will gain $39.50 a week. Another increase for nurses will follow in August next year.
The Government says the move is part of a $17.7 billion investment supporting the Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift wages for 400,000 aged care workers. It argues that the change is both a recognition of the sector’s contribution and an effort to make aged care a more attractive career choice.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, “Aged care workers do an incredible job and they deserve every dollar of this pay rise that we’re delivering.” He added, “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.”
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth highlighted the gender equality impact, noting, “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, and Australian women are now earning more than $250 a week more on average, than they were before we came to government.”
She said reducing the gap was a key reason for funding the 15 per cent pay increase for aged care carers, pointing out that the Commission had acknowledged the “historical gender-based undervaluation” of the sector.
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae described the latest rise as overdue recognition. “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 said.
He added that the sector had been neglected before Labor’s changes: “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.”
The Government maintains that its wider economic plan aims to boost earnings and ensure workers keep more of what they earn, contrasting today’s wages growth with the decline it says marked the previous decade.
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