Fighting for a pay rise for aged care workers

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its promise to fight for a pay rise for Australia’s aged care workers.

The Government has today made a submission to the Fair Work Commission that unequivocally supports a wage increase for aged care workers.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the Government contribute to this work value case that aims to raise workers’ wages.

Unlike the previous Liberal and National government, we’re doing just that.

We’re fighting for a better future for aged care workers and residents. If we don’t start paying aged care workers properly we won’t be able to attract and retain enough staff to care for our loved ones as our population ages.

Our Government is committed to stopping the neglect in the aged care sector – putting security, dignity and humanity back into the aged care system for workers and older Australians.

Our submission reiterates the Government’s commitment to fund any increase to award wages made by the independent Commission in this case.

Quotes attributable to Tony Burke, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations:

“Aged care work is hard work. The pandemic made it even harder.

“Right now there is no doubt their work is undervalued. We need to change that.

“Our Government is prioritising these workers as we fight to get wages moving again.”

Quotes attributable to Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care: 

“The Government has delivered on its commitment to make a submission on this case, and will deliver on its commitment to fund its outcome.

“Increasing wages will encourage more people to work in aged care and give nurses and carers more time to care.”

Quotes attributable to Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care:

“This submission is crucial to bringing workers back to the aged care sector and helping fill the sector shortages created by nine years of neglect. We need more staff in aged care and a pay rise is the start of ensuring workers are rewarded for the crucial roles they play.

“One of the main causes of the gender pay gap is low pay and poor conditions in care sectors like aged care, where the majority of workers are women.

“Increasing wages in aged care is essential to ensuring that men and women are paid equally.”

The submission to the Fair Work Commission is attached below.