AUSTRALIA | The Government has announced a fourth wage increase for aged care workers across the sector for their dedicated service.
The Australian Government is delivered a fourth increase in award wages to the dedicated workers who provide aged care services to older Australians. Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae said this is good for workers, good for the economy and will help with the cost of living.
Workers in aged care deliver the very best care for our loved ones, but their work has been undervalued for too long and every worker in the sector should be able to have a long, fulfilling career supported by strong and sustainable wages growth.
Today’s increase means an extra AUD 60.20 per week for a registered nurse, on level 2, pay point 3 of the award, which is the most common level amongst registered nurses. On top of our previous increase to aged care wages, they will be more than AUD 28,000 a year better off under the Albanese Government.
Enrolled nurses will see a bump in their pay by AUD 62.40 per week (for a level 2 award) and personal care workers will also benefit from this increase by AUD 39.50 per week (for a level 3 award).
We’ll increase aged care wages even further next year, with the next boost coming on 1 August for registered and enrolled nurses.
In recognition of the crucial role workers and nurses play in delivering safe and quality care to our loved ones, Labor’s total investment amounts to AUD 17.7 billion in order to support the Fair Work Commission’s case to increase award wages for 400,000 workers in the aged care sector.
“Our economic plan is designed to help Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn and that’s why we are acting to boost wages and close the gender pay gap,” said Rae.
“When we came to office annual real wages were going badly backwards, but now they have grown for seven consecutive quarters.”
Rae said aged care workers do an incredible job and they deserve every dollar of this pay rise.
“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,” said Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
“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 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,” said Rae.
“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.”
More news here.
