The 15 per cent ‘work value’ increase to aged care award rates should also be paid in full to workers on higher enterprise agreement (EA) rates.

The government has allocated $11.3 billion for this purpose – but some employers may try to keep all or part of the increase.

Charts on this page show how much money is at stake. We use wage rates paid to a Certificate 3 AIN and a RN at Opal Specialist Aged Care as examples typical of the aged care industry.

In the above hypothetical example, the employer absorbs part of the $3.71 per hour award increase. This reduces the EA hourly increase to just $2.91.

In the above hypothetical example, the employer passes on the full $3.71 per hour award increase.

In the above hypothetical example, the employer pockets the entire award hourly increase of $4.86 because the existing EA rate is already higher than the new ‘work value’ award rate.

In the above hypothetical example, the employer passes on the entire hourly award increase of $4.86, which lifts the EA hourly rate to $48.20.

Getting your money – next steps

The NSWNMA is releasing a ‘Pay Checker’ tool. This will show whether you are getting the full wage increase. Complete the tool and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

If your employer tells you how they intend to pay the increase, pass the information on to the NSWNMA. We need to know what your employer is proposing so we can help you get the full amount.

If your employer refuses to pay the full increase, we can help you fight for it. If you would like to get involved in securing wage justice for yourself and your colleagues, or just learn more about the union, contact the NSWNMA.

Encourage people you work with to join the NSWNMA. Remind them that without the union, there would be no wage increase.

Pay rise is a great incentive

NSW aged care RN Emily Hartney says the 15 per cent increase to award pay rates is “long overdue and much needed”.

Emily points out that aged care nurses went “above and beyond’ throughout several waves of COVID-19, working long hours to keep the elderly safe.

“They worked during uncertain times, particularly when we knew little about the virus and the workforce was already suffering under increasing labour shortages,” she says.

She adds, “The industry desperately needs more nurses and aged care workers to keep facilities open and functioning. It must be a priority that older Australians receive high quality care in their later years.

“This pay rise is a great incentive to encourage more nurses to come to the aged care industry and have a fulfilling career.

“This funding announcement also serves as a great boost for all the current staff working in the industry, encouraging them to remain in the sector and continue working to provide the high-quality care we so proudly strive for.”

The 15 per cent ‘work value’ increase to aged care award rates should also be paid in full to workers on higher enterprise agreement rates.

“This pay rise is a great incentive to encourage more nurses to come to the aged care industry and have a fulfilling career.” — Emily Hartney, RN