Additional Pay Increases Announced for Nurses and Aged Care Employees :FWC

Canberra– The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has confirmed further wage increases for nurses and aged care employees across Australia, recognising the critical role they play in health and aged care services.

Under the decision, minimum pay rates for eligible employees in the aged care and nursing sectors will rise from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2025. The increases follow the Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case and Work Value Case – Nurses and Midwives, which reviewed the value of work performed by frontline staff.

The changes include:

• Higher minimum pay scales for aged care employees and direct care workers.
• Adjustments to classifications and progression between pay points for nurses and midwives under the Nurses Award.
• A further scheduled wage rise for nurses from 1 August 2026.

The decision impacts several modern awards, including the Aged Care Award, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award, and the Nurses Award.

This marks the final staged increase under the Aged Care Work Value Case, aimed at lifting wages in recognition of the demanding nature of care work.

Employees and employers can now access updated pay rates through the Pay and Conditions Tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Fair Work has encouraged all affected workers to review the updated classifications and pay scales to ensure they receive their correct entitlement.

Lead source : Additional pay increases for nurses and aged care employees – Fair Work Ombudsman