THE HON ANIKA WELLS MP
MINISTER FOR AGED CARE
MINISTER FOR SPORT

The Albanese Government is investing a further $2.6 billion to deliver another pay rise for 60,000 aged care nurses across Australia.

This brings the government’s total investment in support of award wage increases for aged care workers to $17.7 billion.

This funding will support aged care providers to meet the Fair Work Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case decision to increase award wages for registered and enrolled nurses caring for older people in Australia.

Registered and enrolled nurses will see their award wage increase by an average of around 12% as a result of this decision. These increases will be provided across three largely equal instalments on 1 March 2025, 1 October 2025 and 1 August 2026.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering pay rises for workers to ensure the aged care sector delivers a higher standard of care for older Australians.

It is already having a positive impact on retention and recruitment in the sector and relieving cost of living pressures for these workers.

Since 2022, a registered nurse who was on level 2, pay point 3 will have seen their award-wage rate increase by around $430 per week, an increase of more than $22,000 a year.

An enrolled nurse who was on pay point 2 will have seen their award wage increase by around $370 per week, an increase of more than $19,000 a year.

More information is available at the Department of Health and Aged Care website: Better and fairer wages for aged care workers.

As at 4 March 2025.