About the program
The program funds grants for wages and training to organisations that provide aged care services to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Why it is important
The program:
- provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with entry level, non-clinical employment and training opportunities and career pathways in their communities
- increases the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in aged care, providing opportunities for greater economic participation
- increases access to culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed aged care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, so they can age with dignity in their communities, in their own homes and or in residential aged care.
Award wage increases for workers
We continue to support the Fair Work Commission’s decisions on the Aged Care Work Value Case.
The Fair Work Commission has determined further award wage increases for many aged care workers, ranging between 2.3% and 13.5%.
From 1 January 2025, these workers will start receiving the increases to their award wage.
For some workers, award wages will increase in 2 stages, with the second increase occurring on 1 October 2025.
These award wage increases apply to:
- assistants in nursing
- personal care workers
- home care workers
- recreational activities officers, also known as lifestyle workers
- ancillary staff such as administration staff, drivers, maintenance staff, gardeners, laundry hands, cleaners, and food services assistants.
These award wage increases apply to workers on the:
- Aged Care Award 2010
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Organisations that get an IEI Program grant will get extra funding for each subsidised position. This will be applied through a variation to the 2024–25 grant funding agreements. We expect these variations will be offered toward the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Find out more about the award wage increases, or email us for more information.
Who we work with
We develop and manage policy for the IEI Program, conduct grant rounds and organise funding for the program.
All training and services are delivered by the organisations we fund through the grant process.
The Department of Social Services Community Grants Hub is the main contact for all funded service providers.
Apply for funding
Funding has been allocated for 2024–25 to 2025–26.
We advertise funding rounds on Grant Connect.
To get automatic emails about new grant listings, register as a Grant Connect user.
Contact
