Massive pay raises are coming for 250,000 workers in next week’s budget: Here’s who’s winning up to $10,000
- Elderly care workers get record pay rises
- The 15 percent wage increase will cost $11 billion
About a quarter of a million elder care workers will get a massive $10,000 a year pay raise in a budget increase to be announced next week.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will present a pay raise of up to $200 per week to registered nurses, nursing assistants, personal caregivers, chefs and cooks, recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers), and home care workers.
The frontline workers are getting a record pay raise to combat the cost of living crisis, and are also expected to improve statistics on equal pay for women.
The “historic” 15 percent pay increase for hundreds of thousands of elder care workers across the country will cost the federal budget more than $11 billion, the federal government has confirmed.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will present a pay raise of up to $200 per week to Enrolled Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Personal Caregivers, Chefs and Cooks, Recreational Activities Officers (Lifestyle Workers), and Home Care Workers
The Treasurer believes the massive increases will be enough to attract new staff to the industry and retain existing staff.
“Every worker deserves a fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work and that’s what this will bring to thousands in aged care across the country,” said Dr Chalmers.
‘For too long, those who work in elderly care have been asked to work harder for longer without sufficient pay, but this budget will change that.
‘This investment recognizes the incredible contribution aged care workers make to our economy and community and will help create greater incentive for young Australians looking for a rewarding career to choose aged care in the future.’
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the raise was a “historic and deserved pay rise for a workforce that has been undervalued for far too long.”
“Fair wages play an important role in attracting and retaining workers to provide 24-hour care to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people,” she said.
“This pay decision will help more women and families make ends meet, and make quality aged care workers less likely to consider leaving the industry because of pay concerns.”
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells (pictured) said the raise was a “historic and deserved pay rise for a workforce that has been undervalued for far too long”
The United Workers Union praised the federal government for “keeping its promise” to fund the wage increase in full.
“The 15 percent pay rise is an important step towards recognition of the incredible sacrifices aged care workers have made, and is comforting that the coalition government’s terrible years of underfunding and understaffing are coming to an end,” said Carolyn Smith of UWU .
Meanwhile, the Health Care Union says 15 percent is still not enough, and wants another 10 percent.
The price of the National Aged Care Classification Model will be increased to $243.10 to cover the wages of direct care workers, including lifestyle workers.
A new hotel allowance of $10.80 per day will be introduced to cover the cost of chef and cook salary increases.
The value of home care packages will also be increased to ensure those workers can get the extra 15 percent.