KEY POINTS:
Aged care providers are calling on the government to match a rise in the minimum wage with a rise in funding for care providers.
From April, the minimum wage will rise by $1 an hour bringing the rate for those over the age of 18 to $11.24. The minimum youth rate for 16 and 17-year-olds will increase from $8.20 an hour to $9.
Workers in the aged care sector currently earn just over $1 more than the minimum wage.
HealthCare Providers CEO Martin Taylor says care giving is an important job which deserves better wages, but the funding provided to the sector to cover wages is not enough. He says if more funding is not made available then the government is agreeing that care of the aged is a minimum wage occupation.
- NEWSTALK ZB
