As you might be aware, the Fair Work Commission announced in June that there was to be a 5% pay increase for aged care workers as of 1 July 2022.
 
You’re rightfully confused about who should have gotten any part of that increase, particularly if you’ve seen posters around your workplace indicating that this is what the award is and this is what you should be getting, because it’s not that simple.
 
Whether you received the full 5% increase or part of it will depend on who you work for and whether you have your own workplace agreement.

• If you’re on an agreement and are being paid above the award rate, then you won't receive the 5% pay increase.
• If you’re on an agreement and are paid below the award rate, you may be entitled to the full 5% increase or part of it, but remember being on a certain level in your agreement doesn’t necessarily mean it coincides with the same level in the award,
• If you don’t have a workplace agreement and are on the award, you would be entitled to the increase unless you are already being paid above the award rate

It might sound a bit complicated, but HACSU will keep a sharp eye on wage rates and if we thought you should've been paid the increase, we wouldn't hesitate to write to management seeking payment for that.

If you believe you should have received the pay increase, write to payroll in the first instance and ask if they could do a pay audit on your individual pay. If you’ve done that and still believe it is incorrect, send us the information provided by the pay audit and give us a call on 1300 880 032.