407.6 Million Dollars Pot Of Gold For The Aged Care Industry, Australia

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 15 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Federal Government announced a $407.6 million boost for the aged care industry, bringing the total additional payments to $2 billion over four years.

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) says this money must be used to close the wages gap in aged care.

"Aged care nurses and carers are the worst paid in the health care industry, if we are to have any hope of attracting and retaining dedicated and qualified staff to care for the most vulnerable Australians the government must ensure this money is directed towards improving their wages;" said Ged Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary.

Nurses and carers working in aged care currently earn $20,000 pa less than their colleagues in other sectors, making it impossible for aged care providers to attract staff from an already tight labour market.

The ANF says that without adequate numbers of qualified nurses and carers working in the aged care sector, older Australians will not receive the quality of care that they deserve.

"It is essential for the well being of senior Australians, who often have complex health care needs, to have access to excellent care should they need it."

The ANF, representing nearly 160,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.

Australian Nursing Federation