Registered Nurses (RNs) and Enrolled Nurses (ENs) working in aged care will see their wages rise from 1 March 2025 as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to fair pay and workforce retention in the sector.
This increase follows the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) 6 December 2024 decision under the Aged Care Work Value Case, which aims to ensure aged care nurses receive the full benefit of government funding and help attract and retain skilled professionals in the field.
This decision continues the government’s efforts to improve aged care wages, building on:
Ensuring fair wages is a key part of strengthening the aged care system, recognising the complex and often undervalued nature of aged care work.
A well-compensated workforce contributes to better care standards, including 24/7 registered nurse coverage, increased care minutes for residents, culturally safe practices, and improved transparency across the sector.
The wage increases will be introduced in three equal tranches:
Alongside the pay rises, new classification structures will be introduced into the Nurses Award 2020, requiring many nurses to be reclassified. Employers must ensure that employees are correctly transitioned to the new classifications when implementing pay increases.
Providers will need to follow Fair Work Commission guidelines to ensure compliance.
From 1 March 2025, aged care RNs and ENs covered by the Nurses Award 2020 will receive increased minimum award wages. Employers must ensure they comply with these changes and properly classify employees under the new system.
The Australian Government expects providers to:
To help aged care providers meet these increased wage costs, the government will boost funding for both residential aged care and Home Care Packages:
Aged care providers must:
The government will publish providers’ attestation responses to ensure accountability and compliance.
These wage increases aim to address long-standing issues of undervaluation in aged care, improve gender equity, and help retain skilled nurses in the sector.
By ensuring competitive wages, the government hopes to enhance the quality and stability of aged care services, ultimately benefiting both workers and older Australians.
For further details, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
My employer states that they will not be passing on the wage increase to EN’s and RN’s.
I work at a 80 bed facility in Rural SA
My employer states that the pay rise will only be paid if and when the government funding commences.
This has led to myself and other staff member to be looking for other work stating immediately which is had to take after working here for 15 years.
I feel distress and undervalued at their decision.