Politics · Australia · 5 hrs ago
Australia commits $630 million to support pay rises in care and community services
Australia’s federal government has committed $630 million to support higher pay for workers in health, disability and community services.
The Fair Work Commission found that work in these sectors had been undervalued because of gender-based assumptions.
The decision affects sectors where many workers are women.
The funding will go to more than 128,000 charities and not-for-profit organisations that deliver government programs.
It can also support government-funded workers in areas such as housing, youth services and community development.
Ministers say fairer pay could help keep workers in these jobs and attract new staff.
The money is intended to support wage increases, but no timetable or individual pay rises were specified.
The federal government will invest $630 million to support pay rises for workers in health, disability and community services.
The funding is intended for more than 128,000 charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering government programs.
The Fair Work Commission found the industries had been undervalued because of gender-based assumptions and announced changes to five priority awards.
The funding will also benefit government-funded workers in areas including housing, youth services and community development.
- Who
- The federal government is providing the funding for workers in care and community services.
- What
- It will invest $630 million to support wage increases.
- When
- The announcement was reported on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The Fair Work Commission found the industries had been undervalued because of gender-based assumptions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Community and disability workers filed a claim with the Fair Work Commission seeking pay rises for 300,000 Australian workers.
The federal government announced a $630 million investment to support wage increases.
- Funding
- $630 million
- Beneficiaries
- More than 128,000 charities and not-for-profit organisations
- Priority awards
- Five
- Workers covered by June claim
- 300,000
- Requested pay rise
- Up to 35 per cent
What people are saying
We cannot close the gender pay gap without addressing the historic undervaluation of work performed predominantly by women.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the investment would not only help retain existing workers but also make the sector more attractive to future workers, ensuring a stronger workforce in the future.
Fairer pay will support a stronger, more sustainable community sector and ensure Australians can continue to access the services they need when they need them most.
As the sector continues to grow and demand for workers is surging, we cannot afford to lose workers because pay is failing to keep up with the cost of living. Something has to give, and that something is pay.
Sources
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