Australia | Bupa Australia is commending the Australian Federal Government with its commitment to increase wages for aged care workers. This announcement comes off the back of the annual budget released on the 9th of May.
In the budget, the Government pledged to raise the salaries by 15 percent, which is part of the $11.3 billion allocated over the next four years. The changes are set to be implemented from the 30th of June 2023.
Bupa Australia said in a statement that they support this agenda, stating it as an important first step in appropriately recognising people who work in aged care.
“The changes to migration rules announced, and the new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements will help providers find much-needed employees. We appreciate the Government’s decision to extend the current arrangements for student visa holders working in aged care. These are some positive steps towards mitigating the workforce shortages that the sector will continue to face, particularly in regional areas.”
The statement also outlined that appropriate funding is critical to the long-term sustainability of the aged care sector, considering the increasing gap between what is expected of providers, and what is currently being funded. The announcement is said to make significant progress in ensuring that the cost of aged care is covered.
This new funding will help to release some of the financial burden faced by many providers, especially with inflation in the Australian sector rising to seven percent. Bupa Australia said the parameters of the funding will need to be outlined by the Department of Health and Aged Care before it is executed, but it welcomed any further progress to ensure high-quality care to a growing population.
