Paid in full, with thanks

In July, nurses and care workers at Scalabrini aged care facilities received welcome news in a letter from its chief executive officer, Richard de Haast.

He advised that eligible employees would receive a substantial increase to aged care award rates of pay, as ordered by the Fair Work Commission and funded by the federal government.

His key message was: “We have committed to pass through every dollar in funding that we get, to you and your colleagues.

“This increase is made on the award rate for the industry and we already pay you above that rate. We will pass through the dollar amount to you, which means that you will continue to be paid above the award rate.”

The CEO advised that Scalabrini, which operates six nursing homes in NSW, would also pay a separate national wage increase awarded by the commission to workers in all industries.

All eligible employees received individually addressed letters setting out their pay increases in dollar terms.

For example, an AiN team leader was advised she would get an extra $5.53 per hour, bringing her hourly rate to $39.60.

“We believe that this amount better reflects your contribution to the lives of our residents. We are pleased and grateful that the government is funding a large portion of this increase,” Richard de Haast wrote.

“I would like to thank you very much for your ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding support and care to our residents. Each time you come to work, you have the

More information on aged care reforms

Aged Care Watch: https://agedcarewatch.org.au/

Aged Care Watch allows aged care workers, residents, and family members to report and visually understand the thousands of understaffing and workload issues in aged care facilities across Australia.

Webinars for aged care sector by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has conducted some useful webinars on the new changes in aged care: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/aged-careresources/webinars-for-the-aged-care-sector n opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of our residents; thank you for doing this.”

• One webinar provides information about the Australian Government’s $11.3 billion investment to fund the Fair Work Commission’s decision of a 15 per cent increase to the award wages of many aged care workers.

• A second webinar provides information to the residential aged care sector on the new registered nurse (RN) 24/7 responsibility.

Scalabrini RN Neeta Kunwar

Neupane said staff initially were worried they might not get the full increase.

However, the NSWNMA visited her facility and spoke to workers before they got the CEO’s letter.

“Our union officials told us our rights and Scalabrini has listened to those messages,” Neeta said. “We were happy to get the company’s letter promising the pay increase and giving good feedback on our work.

“We were even happier when we got the increase in our first pay period after 1 July.” n

Resources on aged care wages

Nurses and direct care workers in both residential and home care became entitled to a 15 per cent award pay correction from 1 July for their work value.

The federal government has issued clear instructions to employers –by law they must comply with the new minimum award rates. These resources will help you determine what resources you should be getting from 1 July: Guidance on aged care worker wages:

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has produced a guideline that clearly lays out the responsibilities of employers to pass on the full government funding of $11.3 billion to their employees. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/ default/files/2023-06/aged-careworker-wages-guidance-document. pdf

Aged Care Wage Checker

The NSWNMA has produced an Aged Care Wage Checker form, so you don’t have to wait for your employer to get in touch; you can contact the Association to find out exactly what you should be receiving.

https://www.nswnma.asn.au/ aged-care-pay-rise/

Busting the myths about the aged care changes

Myth

Aged care facilities won’t be required to adhere to RN 24/7.

Fact

The federal government is confident most aged care providers will have or are almost able to provide RN 24/7 from 1 July. Some facilities have been granted exemptions from this requirement until 1 July 2024. A strict criterion has been applied to these approved providers.

Myth

Aged care facilities won’t be able to afford to hire RNs.

Fact

The federal government has provided extra money for aged care providers to fund additional nurses to meet the RN 24/7 deadline. They have invited providers who think they cannot fund this requirement to work with them directly.

Myth

Aged care providers will only be required to have one RN on duty at all times.

Fact

The RN 24/7 requirement will be implemented along with the federal government’s direct care minutes policy. This means that the required number of staff will be based on resident numbers and acuity.

As a result, most aged care facilities should see an increase in staffing levels, including both RNs and care staff.

Myth

There aren’t enough RNs to satisfy the RN 24/7 requirement.

Fact

The federal government has introduced a number of measures to address the nursing shortage in aged care. This includes:

• funding the aged care work value case, resulting in a 15 per cent increase to the aged care rate

• providing funding for the aged care bonus payment for aged care RNs

• expanding the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Program.

Myth

RN 24/7 means there is no place for ENs in aged care.

Fact

The federal government has identified ENs as part of the aged care workforce in their care minutes and RN 24/7 guidelines. From October 2023, EN care minutes will be published with Star Ratings.

The ANMF is currently lobbying the federal government to have EN minutes separately included in the care minutes policy in recognition of their valuable contribution to the delivery of clinical care. n