Unions are applauding OneCare for being the first Tasmanian aged care provider to sign up to the federal government’s Living Longer Living Better workforce supplement initiative which provides additional funding for wages increases to aged care staff.
The Federal Government in their announcement on Aged Care Reform last year set aside $1.2b funding via a workforce supplement to address wages for aged care staff across Australia. To date OneCare is the only Tasmanian employer to sign up to the funding.
Key to improving the lives of aged care clients is enhanced training, qualifications and career pathways for staff, and to improve pay for what is widely recognised as a chronically underpaid workforce.
HACSU Assistant State Secretary Tim Jacobson: “OneCare have demonstrated real leadership in the sector by being the first providers to take advantage of the additional funding on offer. We anticipate many improvements for both workers and clients as a result of this landmark agreement.”
ANF State Secretary Neroli Ellis: “We are delighted that we have a significant Tasmanian employer that has seized the initiative and decided to commit to improving employees wages and conditions. The outcomes will also include many flow on benefits for their business.”
To access the funds, employers must sign a compact that provides the necessary protections that guarantee workers are the beneficiaries of the workforce supplement funding.
OneCare CEO Michael Powell: “OneCare have invested in strong training and wellness programs for its staff, and this agreement adopting the Federal Governments’ Living Longer Living Better workforce supplement will also directly provide our staff with increased wages. We congratulate the federal government on providing much needed additional funding to the sector, and are proud to be the first Tasmanian provider to sign up to the Aged Care Workforce Supplement.”
“There is much to be gained by accessing increased funding, and we have found the unions to be highly supportive of the benefits it will bring to both their members and the sector in general.”
HACSU Assistant State Secretary Tim Jacobson
