The Health Services Union (HSU) has filed an additional application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to include home care workers in the work value case aimed at lifting aged care wages by 25 per cent.
If the HSU claim succeeds, it would take the wages for an entry level home care worker employed in aged care from $21.35 to $26.69 per hour.
Home care workers are employed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability (SCHADS) Award rather than the Aged Care Award, so a separate application has been made.
The HSU said the current minimum wage rate for home care workers does not recognise or value the nature of their work, the level of skill and responsibility involved in performing their work, nor the conditions they work under in home settings.
The HSU’s FWC applications now cover home care workers, personal care workers, recreational activities officers, catering, cleaning, administration, and other support staff.
Quotes attributable to Health Services Union, National Secretary Lloyd Williams
“Home care workers are essential to allowing older Australians to remain in their homes for longer.”
“More and more Australians want support to stay in their homes, we’ve seen the waitlists for home care packages climb to 100,000 people.”
“Workforce supply issues must be dealt with now to support older Australians with residential or home care services.
“Our population is ageing, and the Royal Commission’s report said we will need an additional 80,000 workers by 2030.”
“The current wages are a significant barrier to attracting and retaining skilled workers and growing the workforce.”
“The HSU continues to call on the Morrison Government to support the increase of wages to this female-dominated workforce.”
“The Government’s May Budget was a missed opportunity to address the looming workforce crisis and it is disgraceful that they continue to kick the can down the road.”
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