Supporting people who care

On Monday 7 August, we celebrate ‘Aged Care Employee Day,’ to thank all those who work in aged care for the vital role they play in the lives of older people.

Aged care workers support the most vulnerable members of our society. They make a tangible improvement to the quality of life for thousands of older Australians.

Most aged care workers choose to work in the sector because they enjoy spending time with older people and want to make a real difference. It is a vocation.

However, this doesn’t mean that aged care workers shouldn’t be appropriately recompensed for all that they do.

In March, the Fair Work Commission handed down its stage two decision of the work value case for aged care workers. Essentially, they concluded that eligible direct aged care staff, including nurses and aged care workers, were not properly compensated for their work. The outcome was a 15% increase to the modern award for direct care workers and other specified staff.

This is welcome, and makes sense, as there has been a significant increase in age and frailty levels of people receiving aged care services, who have more complex needs than in the past.

The Government agreed to fund this increase and providers pledged to pass on every additional dollar.

However, other essential workers were ineligible for this increase, including housekeeping, maintenance, hospitality and administrative staff. It must be incredibly disappointing for them, as they form a critical part of the social fabric of an aged care service. They prepare and serve the residents’ meals, clean their rooms, and wash their clothes. More importantly, they spend time talking, laughing, and connecting with them as individuals.

A decision on their wages will be made as stage three of the work value case. Providers, unions, and peak bodies will advocate strongly that the remaining staff receive a fair and equitable increase.

It is important that we thank all aged care employees for the important work that they do. They make a difference to people’s lives every day.

Opinion piece by Darren Birbeck
Chief Executive Officer
Resthaven Incorporated