Personal carers will get an increase between 18 and 28 per cent, home care staff will get a rise of between 15 and 26 per cent and there will be a 6.8 per cent increase for those involved in support services under the commission’s decision, delivered on Friday.
Since then, the union has continued to push for a comprehensive increase for all staff.
“(This decision) will usher in a new era of decency and dignity in our aged care homes,” he said.
Gerard Hayes said it was it was a historic improvement for those working in the sector. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
“For the last decade aged care has been held together by the goodwill and commitment of a severely underpaid, insecurely employed workforce.
Since coming into office, the federal government has backed pay rises for those on low and award wages, as well as funding increases for aged care staff.
“In our view, the benefits of improving pay and conditions in undervalued, low paid, female-dominated care sectors — including better attraction and retention of workers — outweigh the costs of any marginal inflationary effect of a one-off bump in the wage price index,” ANZ senior economist Catherine Birch said in November.
The federal government has sought to support pay rises for aged care staff. Source: AAP / James Ross
Catholic Health Australia called on the government to fully fund the rise expected to come from Friday’s decision.
“The federal government must deliver on its commitment to fully fund these wage rises as soon as possible, including any leave entitlements. We believe that we can work together to ensure staff are paid as quickly as possible without diverting existing funds from quality care and support.”
Source Agencies
