Aged care provider Illawarra Retirement Trust (IRT) has failed to pass on government funded pay rises resulting from the Fair Work Commission Aged Care Work Value Case decision.
IRT, which operates 19 aged care facilities across NSW including southeast Sydney, the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and the south coast, has refused to provide its employees with the March work value increase that other registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) working in aged care facilities across Australia have received.
IRT has also failed to commit to pass on the additional government increases for nurses and carers occurring in October 2025 and August 2026.
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said the federal government had been clear that this should be additional to any increases from the employer through the enterprise agreement.
“It’s deeply disappointing to see not-for-profit provider IRT refusing to pass on pay increases to their incredibly hardworking nurses and carers,” said Ms Candish.
“It is our expectation that the federal government’s funding will be passed on in full to workers following the Fair Work Commission’s ruling which highlighted the historic undervaluing of the female-dominated care industry.
“The NSWNMA is not aware of any other providers refusing in this manner. In tough economic times, our members desperately need this income boost. Anything less than passing this funding on in full is pocketing money, which should be going to nurses and carers.
“As part of the March tranche of funding, RNs and ENs across the country are receiving up to $6 extra an hour, but IRT employees are missing out. The October increase is also at risk of not being delivered to our members, with IRT refusing to commit to it.
“Residents would want their nurses and care staff to be compensated for the incredible work they do. Failure to pass on these increases are likely to impact IRT’s ability to attract and retain nurses and care staff and meet mandatory care minutes. This is not in the interests of the residents in this service.
“We call on IRT to do the right thing and show they value their workforce by ensuring nurses and carers receive the pay they deserve.”
IRT’s enterprise agreement, which includes a proposed offer of 7.5% over three years, will be put to members to vote on next week.
