October wage increases for aged care workers – Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services, Aged Care and Nurses Awards
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) in August handed down determinations which vary certain award rates for employees who work in aged care. These award increases are a result of the Stage 3 decision in the aged care industry work value case made in March 2024.
In 2024, the Expert Panel in the aged care industry work value case concluded the federal award system failed to set minimum award rates of pay which properly recognised the addition to work value effected by the transformation of nursing into a profession. In the context of nursing being a female-dominated occupation, the Expert Panel characterised this failure as historic gender undervaluation. The decision made was to increase the wages over three tranches in certain aged care industry worker roles under the following three modern awards:
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010
- 2010 (SCHADS Award),
- Aged Care Award 2010 (Aged Care Award) and
- Nurses Award 2020 (Nurses Award).
The second tranche of increase will occur on an employee’s first full pay cycle on or after 1 October 2025.
Wage Increases
SCHADS Award
The changes to the SCHADS Award will apply to home care employees who provide services to an aged person.
| Classification | Per week ($) |
| Home care employee level 1 – aged care | 1182.80 |
| Home care employee level 2 – aged care | 1248.50 |
| Home care employee level 3 – aged care | 1314.30 |
| Home care employee level 4 – aged care | 1366.80 |
| Home care employee level 5 – aged care | 1419.40 |
| Home care employee level 6 – aged care | 1472.00 |
Aged Care Award
The changes to the Aged Care Award will apply to employees classified as an aged care employee – direct care.
| Classification | Per week ($) |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 1 – Introductory | 1182.80 |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 2 – Direct Carer | 1248.50 |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 3 – Qualified | 1314.30 |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 4 – Senior | 1366.90 |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 5 – Specialist | 1419.40 |
| Aged care employee – direct care – level 6 – Team Leader | 1472.00 |
Nurses Award
The changes to the Nurses Award will apply to employees classified as aged care employees.
| Employee Classification | Per week ($) |
| Enrolled nurse supervising other direct care employees | 1409.60 |
| Registered nurse – level 1 | |
| First year of employment classified at this level | 1446.50 |
| In excess of 1 year and up to 4 years of employment classified at this level | 1519.90 |
| In excess of 4 years of employment classified at this level | 1661.40 |
| Registered nurse – level 2 | |
| First 3 years of employment classified at this level | 1799.10 |
| In excess of 3 years of employment classified at this level | 1880.40 |
| Registered nurse – level 3 | 1946.00 |
| Registered nurse – level 4 | 2249.40 |
| Registered nurse – level 5 | 2542.40 |
Further changes also apply to the Nurses Award and it is recommended that businesses download copies of the new rates guide on or after 1 October 2025, once those changes apply.
Notifying employees of wage increases
It is recommended that employers notify employees of wage increases, despite there being no requirement to do so. Notice can be given by letter, email or through notification via the employer’s pay system. Employees do not need to agree to increases when they are not conditional upon other changes.
Importantly, the changes only take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2025. As 1 October 2025 will be midway through a pay period for many employers – the increase will only apply to work completed from the next full pay period – likely starting Monday, 6 October 2025.
Planned future increases
Further increases are planned under the aged care industry work value case. The final increase under the case is due on 1 August 2026. This increase is one month later than the annual national minimum wage rate review decision would likely take effect, in which it is likely that these employees will receive two increases in a short period of time.
