FAIR WORK COMMISSION DECISION ON AGED CARE

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE - MINISTERS BURKE, BUTLER & WELLS

The Albanese Labor Government welcomes the Fair Work Commission's decision on the aged care work value case.

We are closely examining the content of this decision, which is lengthy and highly detailed.

We have committed to provide funding to support increases to award wages made by the Fair Work Commission in this matter and that will help deliver a higher standard of care for older Australians.

The Government has already delivered a 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers on a number of awards following an interim Commission decision in November 2022.

Aged care work is highly skilled and provides incredible rewards for workers who make life-changing contributions to older Australians. But aged care work has been historically undervalued.

We promised to fight for a pay rise for Australia’s aged care workers and we did. Early in our term we made a submission to the Commission that unequivocally supported a wage increase.

Our Government wants people to earn more and keep more of what they earn – that’s why we’re fighting for a better future for aged care workers.

ENDS