Aged Care Work Value Interim Decision

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) have made ongoing submissions to the Fair Work Commission with regard to the Aged Care Work Value Case, to increase wages for aged care workers by 25%. On 4 November 2022, the Full Bench handed down its decision on the applications to vary the Nurses Award, Aged Care Award and Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award).

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has agreed with the ANMF that wages for direct care workers under each award are undervalued for work value reasons. The Interim decision which has relied heavily upon ANMF evidence suggests an interim increase of 15% for direct care workers is required. However, this is not the final outcome and the FWC has outlined that further work required to determine the final outcome. The Fair Work Commission have outlined a staged approach to the further work is required to determine a final decision. Three stages have been proposed as part of this process:

Stage One: Is now complete with the interim decision proposing a 15% wage increase for Care Workers, however this may not be the final increase. It’s possible it may end up being higher and the ANMF will have opportunity to provide evidence to support a higher increase. Included in the interim decision are a number of remaining matters which require further examination along with submissions and evidence.

Stage Two: Finalisation of stage two will include how the wage increase will apply and if a staged approach to the wage increase will apply and will consider a number of factors as well as the cost for the employer.

Stage Three: Will look at the classification structures for the nursing team including Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Care Workers. This stage will also finalise the interim increase.

In Tasmania, the vast majority of care workers are covered by an Enterprise Agreement negotiated by the ANMF, which include higher wages than those included in the Award.

It is therefore difficult to determine (at the time of print) what the final decision by the FWC will have for members. However, it is likely that many care workers will see a wage increase due to employers only paying slightly above Award wage rates once the case is finalised.

The ANMF will continue to advocate passionately for members in the Work Value Case and will continue to update members on each stage of the case.

Updates correct as at 1 January 2023.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT

Member Support Team: The ANMF Tasmanian Branch is 8000 plus members strong! Supporting nurses, midwives, and care workers as the only union in Tasmania employing nurses and care workers to represent members. This is why our Organisers and Member Support Team are uniquely positioned to understand your experiences, represent you in your workplace, and offer industrial advice that’s relevant to you. Please contact our Member Support Team if you need workplace support, would like to discuss any matters or raise a concern. Alternatively, you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting the team, however if your matter is urgent, please phone (03) 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 if you are outside of Hobart.

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