Australia invests $630m in care sector pay rises after Fair Work ruling

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 12:30 · Archive

The Australian government will invest $630m to support pay rises for over 460,000 care workers following a Fair Work Commission ruling on undervalued female-dominated roles.

The Australian government will invest $630m to support pay rises for more than 460,000 care sector workers following a Fair Work Commission ruling that found female-dominated pay awards had been historically undervalued due to gender assumptions.

The funding will be delivered to more than 128,000 organisations across 92 government-funded programs, including those in health, disability care and community services. The support aims to help charities and not-for-profit organisations implement award-related wage changes while maintaining service continuity.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said it would not be possible to close the gender pay gap without addressing the historic undervaluation of work performed predominantly by women. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth noted the government had changed the law to put gender equality at the heart of the Fair Work Act. Health Minister Mark Butler said the changes would help retain workers by making the industry a more attractive career path.

The funding will also support government-funded organisations employing affected workers in legal assistance, housing, youth services and First Nations health and community sectors.

How it is being reported

• Albanese government invests $630m to support care sector pay risesThe federal government will splash $630m on pay rises for more than 460,000 workers following a landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 12:03
• Albanese government invests $630m to support care sector pay risesThe federal government will splash $630m on pay rises for more than 460,000 workers following a landmark ruling by the Fair Work Commission.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 12:03

In this story: Albanese government · Fair Work Commission · Katy Gallagher · Amanda Rishworth · Mark Butler · Australia

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