March 2026
The ANMF South Australian Branch (ANMF) has secured a significant win for aged care nurses at two local sites after formally notifying the employer of its obligation to pass on Work Value Case wage increases.
From October 1, 2025, Aged Care Providers received additional Commonwealth funding to support higher award wages, for enrolled and registered nurses working covered by the Nurses Award.
However, the ANMF’s sector-wide review identified several providers that had failed to pass on the increases to their nursing workforce.
After being alerted to the issue, one provider worked constructively with the ANMF to rectify the underpayments. Nurses at the affected site will now receive full back pay from the first full pay period after October 2025, along with the correct wage rate moving forward.
While most aged care providers in South Australia have complied with the October 2025 Work Value Case changes, the ANMF is actively issuing notice to employers failing to meet their obligations under the Work Value Case determination.
ANMF CEO/Secretary Adjunct Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said that she was grateful to the employer for its compliance and collaborative efforts to remedy the situation.
“Aged care is a rapidly growing industry in Australia and South Australian nurses are in high demand, because the work they do is critical,” she said.
“We commend the aged care providers that have done the right thing by passing on the funding valuing their staff and ensuring compliance with the Work Value Case determination. However, we will not hesitate to call out those who fail to meet their responsibilities.”
She reaffirmed the ANMF’s commitment to pursuing every outstanding case.
“We will continue to identify, notify and, if necessary, challenge providers that have not passed on these wage increases. Our members deserve nothing less.”