The Fair Work Commission has handed down its Annual Wage Review decision this morning, raising minimum and award wages by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
For aged care workers, many of them on award rates and among the lowest-paid in the country, it’s a win. But the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation had asked for more. They’re not hiding their disappointment.
The Commission lifted modern award rates by 4.75% across the board. The lowest-paid 100,000 award workers get 6%. The National Minimum Wage rises to $26.44 per hour, up from $24.95.
The changes take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
Around 2.8 million workers are covered by the decision. A large chunk of them are in aged care, working under the Aged Care Award or the SCHADS Award.
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler called it “a step in the right direction”, but made no secret of the fact the federation wanted the full 6% the ACTU had claimed.
“While not far above inflation, we believe the increase is a step in the right direction for our members earning minimum or award wages,” Ms Butler said.
“For ANMF members working in aged care and award reliant workers in other critical industries, who continue to deal with low wages and increasing workloads, it’s crucial that their wages continue to keep pace with everyday cost of living pressures.”
She pointed out what many in the sector already know: the workers most affected are majority female, in casual or part-time arrangements, and still catching up from years of systemic undervaluation.
“Although there’s more work to do, today’s decision goes some way to acknowledging their critical contributions to Australian society.”
The United Workers Union, which covers thousands of personal care workers and home care support workers, also welcomed the rise.
Today’s rise is separate from the Aged Care Work Value Case increases, which have been rolling through since 2023.
Here’s what’s already been delivered:
A final nurses’ increase under the Work Value Case is still due on 1 August 2026.
Whether today’s 4.75% stacks on top of those increases depends on your award classification and your employer. If you’re unsure what applies to you, check with your union delegate or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator.
The ACTU went into the review arguing for a 6% increase, pointing to persistent cost-of-living pressures and the disproportionate burden on low-income workers.
The Commission landed at 4.75% for most award workers: above inflation, but below what unions say workers in female-dominated, essential service industries need to genuinely catch up.
It’s a familiar tension. Wage reviews rarely satisfy everyone. But for workers who’ve spent years fighting for basic recognition of the value of their work, the gap between what was asked and what was granted still stings.
United Workers Union: unitedworkers.org.au
