2026 Wage Increase: What the Fair Work Decision Means for Home Care Workers

What was announced on Tuesday 2nd June 2026?

The Fair Work Commission has lifted modern award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, covering home care and disability support workers under the SCHADS and Nurses Awards. Just Better Care Australia CEO and the General Manager of People & Culture have both welcomed the decision as a recognition of the workforce's contribution.

Every year, the Fair Work Commission reviews the minimum wages that underpin employment across Australia. This year's decision, a 4.75% increase to modern award minimum wages, comes at a time when cost-of-living pressures have been at the forefront of workers' and employers' minds. For the home care, aged care and disability support sectors, and for the Just Better Care network, this is a meaningful outcome that reflects the real value of the work our people do.

The Commission described this year's decision as "particularly challenging" given a range of economic pressures, including persistently high inflation. Despite those complexities, the outcome delivers a meaningful uplift for workers across Australia, including the home care and disability support workforce covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award and Nurses Award.

For every local Just Better Care team, this decision is a welcome recognition of the work our team members do every day. Our Support Workers support older Australians and people living with disability, delivering hands-on, person-centred care in people's homes, often in complex and emotionally demanding circumstances.

That work adds real value to the individuals they care for and to their local communities, and it deserves to be recognised accordingly.

A message from our CEO

"This increase is well deserved. Our Support Workers show up every day and provide high-quality care to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They do it with compassion, skill, and commitment. We're proud of our award-winning culture and of supporting a workforce that makes such a genuine difference in people's lives."
— Lee Walsh, CEO, Just Better Care Australia

Recognising the value of our people

"The Fair Work Commission's decision provides welcome support for employees at a time when many households continue to face cost-of-living pressures."
— Rebecca Harris, GM People & Culture, Just Better Care Australia

The new rates will take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.