Australia’s aged care and health workforce is set to receive another pay boost, with new minimum pay rates coming into effect from 1 October 2025. The increases apply to eligible employees, including direct aged care workers and some nursing staff, as part of ongoing reforms to improve wages and workforce sustainability in the sector.
According to the Fair Work Commission, the changes mean that workers covered under the Aged Care Award 2010, Nurses Award 2020, and Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010 will see adjustments to their base pay. These changes aim to recognise the essential contribution of aged care and health workers, who have long advocated for fairer wages to reflect the complexity and demands of their roles.
However, the Commission has clarified that the full increase has already taken effect for some employees earlier in the staged wage rollout. Those workers will not receive any additional rise in this October adjustment.
The wage rise follows recent government commitments to strengthen the aged care sector, including investments in training, workforce development, and quality of care improvements. The changes are expected to benefit thousands of employees across Australia, helping to attract and retain skilled workers in a sector facing ongoing staffing shortages.
Unions have welcomed the pay adjustments, stating they represent a step forward in recognising the value of care work. Employer groups, while supportive of fair wages, have also raised concerns about the financial strain on smaller providers and the need for sustainable funding models.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has advised employers to carefully review the updated pay rates and ensure compliance from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2025. Employees are encouraged to check their new entitlements and seek advice if they believe they are not receiving the correct pay.
For further details, updated pay guides will be available on the Fair Work Ombudsman website closer to the implementation date.
Source: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
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