Better and fairer wages for aged care workers

Workers to benefit

We are funding the Fair Work Commission’s decision on the Aged Care Work Value case of a 15% increase to award wages for:

registered nurses
enrolled nurses
assistants in nursing
personal care workers and home care workers
head chefs and cooks
recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers).

The wage increase applies to workers on the:

Aged Care Award 2010
Nurses Award 2020
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.

We also support the Fair Work Commission’s undertaking to consider increases to other aged care sector workers, such as administrative and support staff.

Aged Care Wages – Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity

The Aged Care Wages – Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity (GO6625) is now open, closing 2pm (AEDT) 31 January 2024.

This one-off grant will fund aged care providers for 50% of the cost of increased leave entitlements in the 2023-24 FY that are directly attributed to the Fair Work Commission’s 15% wage increase.

For more information, refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and provider factsheet.

Aged care worker wages guidance

It is important that workers covered by the Fair Work Commission’s decision receive the full benefit of this funding. This will help the aged care sector attract and retain a skilled workforce.

Providers of residential aged care and Home Care Packages can read the guidance document to help them understand the additional funding. The recording and slides from the wage increase webinar will also help providers understand how to pass on the funding for the benefit of their workers.

A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions on the wage increase is available in this Q&As document.

Timing

The wage increase came into effect from 30 June 2023.

Funding

We will fund the 15% wage increase including on-costs and leave liabilities.

Aged care providers will receive additional funding through both existing funding arrangements and new grant opportunities.

Privately funded facilities such as independent living and retirement villages, that are not funded by the Australian Government, will not be eligible to receive funding to meet the FWC decision of a 15% award wage increase.

This fact sheet explains how the Government funding will apply for the different aged care programs run by local government and council providers.

Learn more about the funding arrangements for the wage rise for: