The Albanese government’s latest $2.6 billion investment in aged care nurses is a critical step forward, but it must be seen as part of a broader strategy to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
With this funding, the total investment in award wage increases for aged care workers rises to $17.7 billion, reinforcing the need for a workforce that is not just better paid, but better supported, trained, and valued.
Aged care nurses are on the front lines of care, ensuring the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of older Australians. While the Fair Work Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case decision delivers a 12 percent wage increase for registered and enrolled nurses, we must ask: will this be enough to solve the sector’s deep-rooted workforce crisis?
A registered nurse at level 2, pay point 3, will have seen their award wage rise by $430 per week since 2022—more than $22,000 annually—while an enrolled nurse at pay point 2 will have gained $370 per week, or more than $19,000 per year. These are meaningful increases. But pay alone won’t attract and retain the skilled professionals we desperately need.
Investing in Skills, Career Progression, and Workplace Culture
Aged-care careers must be seen as not just viable but aspirational. That requires more than wages; it demands structured career pathways, leadership development, and a workplace culture that values ongoing education and skill enhancement.
At Altura Learning, we see firsthand how investment in education translates to better care outcomes. When aged-care professionals feel supported with training, mentorship, and career growth opportunities, they stay in the sector and provide better care to older Australians.
The Albanese government’s commitment to aged care is commendable, and its efforts to improve wages and conditions represent a significant step forward. We now need to build on this momentum. How do we ensure that aged care remains a career of choice? What incentives are needed to encourage new talent to enter the field? And how can we integrate technology and innovation to ease the workload and improve care delivery?
Paul Goudie, CEO of Altura Learning.
Transforming Aged Care Beyond Elections
This funding announcement is part of a broader election narrative, but real transformation in aged care must go beyond political cycles. The government, providers, educators, and industry leaders must collaborate to create a long-term roadmap that addresses not just wages but workforce conditions, professional development, and the integration of new models of care.
At Altura Learning, we are committed to playing a role in this transformation. Pay increases are a start, but unless they are paired with investment in capability, aged care workers will continue to burn out and leave the profession. The real measure of success will be whether we can turn aged care into a sector where professionals don’t just work, they thrive.
With Australia’s ageing population growing, the need for skilled and dedicated aged-care professionals is set to increase. Recognising and rewarding their contributions is not just an election promise—it’s an investment in the future of care for all Australians. The question is: are we ready to think beyond wages and build a truly sustainable workforce?
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