The Commission today announced rises between 2 and 13.5 per cent for aged care workers from July 2024.

“Today’s decision is crucial to supporting safe and quality care for elderly Australians, and the sustainability of the aged care workforce,” said Dr Fiona Macdonald, Policy Director at the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.

“For too long, aged care work has been undervalued and low paid. The Fair Work Commission’s decision to award additional pay rises, on top of an interim 15 per cent wage rise, is vital to fixing this.

“The introduction of a new classification structure will also provide the basis for the ongoing recognition and valuation of aged care work.

“It’s essential the federal government commits to fully funding the additional increases of up to 13.5 per cent from the start of the next financial year.”

“The exclusion of indirect care workers from today’s decision is a lost opportunity to support the lowest paid workers.”