National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke demands pay rises for aged care workers

Some teenagers working in fast food joints earn more money than aged care staff, says an Adelaide seniors advocate, as the Covid-19 crisis engulfs the sector.

Teenagers working in a fast-food chain could earn more money than aged-care staff, an Adelaide seniors’ advocate says, blasting the deplorable wages amid the Covid-19 crisis engulfing the sector.

Adelaide-based National Seniors Australia chief advocate Ian Henschke says the federal government must immediately increase the base rate for aged care staff, as rampant Covid-19 outbreaks stretch the sector’s workforce to the limits.

Staff shortages in South Australian nursing homes are causing residents to be neglected, sitting in faecal matter, unbathed and dehydrated.

National Seniors Australia chief advocate Ian Henschke called for significant wage increases for aged care workers.

“It’s a very basic wage and yet you are doing some of the most demanding work,” Mr Henschke said of aged care workers. “You might go to work and someone you have been caring for dies, which is what is happening now.

“This is an important and highly valued job that is not being valued (financially).”

Under the current pay guide, a full-time aged care worker earns $21.62 an hour on a level one wage – less than a full-time adult fast-food worker, who earns $22.33 under the industry award.

A full-time 19-year-old fast-food employee can earn more than $22 at the weekend.

Mr Henschke said the federal government’s two bonus payments of up to $400 each for aged care workers wasn’t enough.

Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck has come under fire for his handling of Covid-19 in nursing homes. Picture: NCA/Gary Ramage

“I’m sure aged care workers welcome extra money but it’s only $15 a week for one year,” he said.

“What’s needed is long-term improvement to pay and conditions to attract workers to this vital area of health care.”

A spokesman for Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said the federal government had committed $18.3bn in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

“This includes specific initiatives to support wages, including a payment for registered nurses to reward clinical skills and leadership,” the spokesman said.

“Decisions on wages are made by the Fair Work Commission, independently of government,” he said.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 83 deaths in SA aged care homes.

On January 28, 1023 SA aged care residents and 1523 staff had Covid-19, compared with 873 residents and 1353 staff on January 20.

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