The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has announced it will hand down its decision on Stage 3 of the Aged Care Work Value Case on Friday at 2pm, which means the 100,000 plus indirect workers in the sector are expected to finally receive a pay rise.
More than 250,000 "direct care" workers benefitted from a 15% pay rise decided by the FWC in July 2023, and it applied to those working under the Aged Care Award 2010, Nurses Award 2010 and Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Those who work in aged care but not under these awards (grouped as "indirect care workers" such as administrative employees, and chefs and cooks not in a senior position) were ineligible.
Uniting NSW.ACT, one of Australia’s largest Not For Profit organisations that specialises in areas such as aged care, independent living, and community services, welcomed the 15% aged care pay rise but anticipated the need for a further increase. Tracey Burton, Uniting’s Executive Director, expressed disappointment at those not included, claiming the decision has been "harmful to morale and motivation" and asked the FWC to award the 15% pay rise to indirect care workers and an additional 10% be granted across the aged care workforce.
The SOURCE will cover the announcement in full on Friday afternoon.
The FWC heard Stage 3 of the Work Value case in December. It considered:
- pay rises for indirect care workers, who were included in the original applications but omitted from the 15% pay rise granted for direct care workers announced in November 2022,
- further pay increases for direct care workers,
- moving home care workers under the Aged Care Award, and
- how medication competency and dementia and palliative care should be treated under the Award.