The election of the Albanese Federal Government is a win for the aged care sector and represents a significant milestone for our national campaign to fix the crisis.
Some important things are happening right now to reform the sector and implement some of the important recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission...
A pay rise for all aged care nurses and carers
Thanks to the ANMF and the QNMU's case in the Fair Work Commission, Awards in aged care have increased by 15%, as of 30 June 2023. Providers have received enough funding from the Federal Government to also give direct care workers who are paid above Award rates a pay increase that is equal to 15% of their applicable Award rate. This pay rise will apply from the first full pay period in July 2023.
RN 24/7, minimum care minutes and funding transparency become law
The Federal Government’s ‘Implementing Care Bill’ is now law, and legislates for:
- Registered Nurses 24/7 from 1 July 2023
- Mandated 200 minimum care minutes from 1 October 2023
- Financial transparency and accountability on public funding.
This is the beginning of real reform. Change isn’t going to happen overnight, but change does start with the right laws in place and having a Federal Government that is committed to fixing the problem. And that’s exactly what we’ve been campaigning over many years for.
This kind of reform doesn’t happen without significant public support. Thank you to the countless QNMU Activists and aged care nurses and carers who have spoken out on the situation in aged care. Your voices have been heard, and it’s thanks to you that aged care has become the national issue it is today.