Better and fairer wages for aged care workers

Workers to benefit

We are continuing 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 phases, 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 (lifestyle workers)
ancillary staff – such as administration staff, drivers, maintenance staff, gardeners, laundry hands, cleaners and food services assistants.

These wage increases apply to workers on the:

Aged Care Award 2010
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award).

These increases build on the 15% award wage increase provided in 2023 to:

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

Funding

We are supporting the award wage increases, including on-costs and the increased cost of historical leave liabilities.

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

Privately funded facilities – such as independent living and retirement villages not funded by the Australian Government – will not be eligible to receive funding to meet the Fair Work Commission's decisions on award wage increase.

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

Aged care worker wages guidance

We will share further guidance to support aged care workers, union representatives and providers as funding arrangements for Stage 3 of the Aged Care Work Value Case are finalised.

Providers of residential aged care and Home Care Packages can still access the guidance document to help them understand the additional funding for the Stage 2 decision.

Provider reporting

Aged care wages attestation report Q1 to Q3 2023–24

A summary of providers’ attestations that they have passed on additional Australian Government funding in support of the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase minimum award rates for many aged care workers and associated on-costs.

Resources