10 November 2022
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) says the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) 15% interim pay increase in minimum wages for underpaid aged care nurses and care workers recognises the undervaluation of employees in aged care – but more needs to be done to retain and recruit staff to the under-resourced sector.
In handing down its interim decision, the FWC deemed the pay rise was ‘plainly justified by work value reasons’ and applies to Registered Nurses (RN), Enrolled Nurses (EN), AINs (Assistants in Nursing) and Personal care Workers (PCW) working in aged care under the Nurses Award, Aged Care Award and SCHADS Award.
“We are pleased the Fair Work Commission has left open the possibility of further wage increases for the aged care sector in its final decision,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
“The ANMF, along with other unions, has been loudly advocating for a 25 per cent wage rise for aged care workers and we will continue to push that case.
“We are also pleased the Albanese Government has committed to fully fund the final wage rise agreed to by the Fair Work Commission.
“Aged care workers are one of the lowest paid cohorts in the country despite the critical importance of the work they do in caring for our vulnerable elderly,’’ Ms Dabars said.
“Fair and just remuneration that reflects the value of their contribution to society is badly needed, not only to retain staff but crucially to attract more workers to a chronically understaffed sector.’’
Ms Dabars said the increase now paves the way for the ANMF to keep advocating for the very best wages aged care workers deserve.
“This outcome would not have been possible without the help of our members who were willing to provide witness statements and gave evidence – their powerful and determined voices provided a compelling case,” Ms Dabars said.
ANMF (SA Branch) Director, Operations and Strategy, Rob Bonner also gave evidence of aged care wages lagging behind other healthcare sectors.
“Whilst wanting better wages and conditions, staff have generally not exercised their industrial muscle in significant part due to the perceived poor bargaining power but more importantly their relationship with residents. This situation has led to a perpetuation of poor wage rises and little if any progress in relation to conditions in the sector,’’ he said.
The ANMF is pleased that the Full Bench of the FWC made it clear that the 15% increase does not necessarily exhaust the extent of the increase justified by work value reasons in respect of direct care aged care employees. Whether any further increase is justified will be the subject of submissions in Stage 3 of these proceedings.