HSU members in aged care around the country are celebrating, after the Fair Work Commission announced that the full 15% interim pay increase will be awarded on June 30 this year – not split over multiple years as proposed by the Federal Government.

This is an incredible victory and has only come after years of dedicated campaigning by HSU members, who simply refused to give up.

“This is an important step forward,” said Gerard Hayes, HSU Secretary.

This decision means that the Award pay rates for Personal Carers, RAOs (leisure and lifestyle officers), Head Chefs and Home Carers will be increased by the full 15% from 30 June this year.

While this is a great decision that will provide significant pay rises for many aged care workers, HSU members are still fighting for our full 25% pay rise and for all classifications to be covered – including Food Service Assistants, Cleaners, Laundry Workers and Administration staff. And we won’t stop fighting until all aged care workers are paid properly.

“To prevent aged care from collapsing, every link in the chain must be strengthened,” said Gerard. “There’s no point lifting wages for direct care workers if large chunks of the workforce miss out … we will continue to push to have the entire aged care workforce covered.”

This outcome demonstrates HSU members at our best – united, determined and unrelenting. It’s a win for each and every HSU member who is playing a part in changing aged care for the better.