From 1 March 2025, there will be an increase to minimum wages and changes to the classification structure for enrolled nurses and registered nurses covered by the Nurses Award 2020.
The changes come as part of the Work value case - nurses and midwives major case and the now concluded Work value case - aged care industry major case.
Increases to minimum wages
In a decision issued on 6 December 2024 [2024] FWCFB 452, an expert panel for pay equity in the care and community sector determined to increase minimum wages in the award that apply to:
- enrolled nurses working as aged care employees
- registered nurses working as aged care employees
The award defines an aged care employee as:
'an employee engaged in the provision of:
- services for aged persons in a hostel, nursing home, aged care independent living units, aged care serviced apartments, garden settlement, retirement village or any other residential accommodation facility; or
- services for an aged person in a private residence.'
The expert panel determined that for these direct care workers the increases were justified for work value reasons. The panel had previously found that the work of aged care employees was historically undervalued because of assumptions based on gender.
The increases will take effect from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 March 2025.
The amount of the increase for enrolled nurses and registered nurses varies according to an employee's current classification. The minimum rates of pay are increasing for almost all registered nurse classifications. Further increases will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2025 and 1 August 2026.
New employee classification structures
The increases to minimum wages will apply as part of new employee classification structures for enrolled nurses and registered nurses working in aged care.
The previous 5 level pay classification structure for enrolled nurses working in aged care will change to one single level, with one minimum wage.
The classification structure for registered nurses working in aged care has also changed - from 27 pay points spread across 5 levels to 8 pay points spread across 5 levels.
Updated award
The updated version of the award will be published on 28 February 2025. You can also view the determination varying the award to see the changes before they take effect.
Employees other than aged care employees
These changes only affect enrolled nurses and registered nurses who are aged care employees under the award. Changes to the award for other employees, including to classification structures and minimum wages, are being considered in the Work value case - nurses and midwives matter.
