The Aged Care Workforce Industry Council (ACWIC) has welcomed the decision of the Fair Work Commission to include head chefs and recreational activities officers, along with direct care workers, in a 15% interim wage increase for aged care workers to commence from 30 June 2023.
ACWIC Deputy Chair, Graeme Prior said progress was being made on improving wages for aged care workers, but said more needs to be done.
“It is wonderful to see that more aged care workers will get a timely wage increase to acknowledge the value of the essential work that they do,” he said.
“I encourage the Commonwealth to move quickly to support the funding of the wage rise in full, from June 30.
“However, there are still other aged care workers including support and administration staff, and other food services workers, who are not included in the wage increase. These workers are central to the provision of safe, person-centred care and their work should be properly valued,” he said.
ACWIC facilitated the aged care sector’s consensus statement in 2021, which informed the Commission’s decision.
“ACWIC is firmly committed to improving outcomes for aged care workers so that they feel valued and supported to deliver consistently high-quality care to older Australians.”
“We will continue to work with the sector and government to support the implementation of this vital recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety,” said Mr Prior.
