Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements

Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding

On 5 May 2023, Minister’s Giles and Wells announced a new tripartite approach to address workforce shortages in aged care through the creation of the new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. The new Industry Labour Agreement will streamline the recruitment of suitably experienced or qualified direct care workers for aged care in the following occupations:

• Nursing Support Worker (Assistant in Nursing) (ANZSCO 423312)
• Personal Care Assistant (Personal Care Worker) (ANZSCO 423313)
• Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)

Please note the Industry Labour Agreement does not apply to registered nurses or enrolled nurses. 

To access the Industry Labour Agreement, employers must first enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant union.

If you are an aged care provider, or acting on behalf of an aged care provider, and the organisation is seeking to access the Industry Labour Agreement, please email industrial@anmf.org.au and we will respond within 10 business days.

If you are not yet ready to commence Memorandum of Understanding discussions but would like additional information, visit the Department of Home Affairs.

Other unions that represent aged care workers include the United Workers Union, and the Health Services Union.  The applicable union for the Memorandum of Understanding will depend on the occupation group you seek to engage under the Industry Labour Agreement, the settings for service (residential or home care) and the state or territory where the services are provided. There may be instances where more than one union will be party to the Memorandum of Understanding.

Where your inquiry relates to establishing an Industry Labour Agreement that will operate in only one State or Territory, we will refer you to the relevant ANMF Branch for further information and discussion. Where more than one State or Territory is involved, ANMF Federal Office will co-ordinate discussions.