The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has commenced its landmark Nurses and Midwives Work Value Case before the Fair Work Commission, seeking long-overdue wage increases that better reflect the value, complexity and responsibility of nursing, midwifery and care work.
The case follows the ANMF’s successful aged care work value case, which delivered minimum award wage increases of between 15% and 30% for aged care nurses and personal care workers. The ANMF is now seeking to ensure that all nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing (AINs) covered by the Nurses Award 2020 receive fair recognition for the work they perform, regardless of where they work.
At the heart of the case is the ANMF’s argument that nursing and midwifery work has changed significantly over time. Nurses and midwives are caring for increasingly complex patients, working with advanced technologies, exercising greater clinical judgement and taking on expanded responsibilities across a range of healthcare settings.
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said the current award rates no longer reflect the true value of modern nursing and midwifery practice.
“We look forward to ANMF members from across the country and a wide range of health settings providing evidence about their changing work,” Ms Butler said.
“From our perspective, this will demonstrate that nursing, midwifery and care work has become more complex and requires higher levels of responsibility and skill than previously.
“The work of nurses and midwives has grown and intensified over the years, yet wages have failed to keep pace and do not recognise the true value of the care they deliver.”
The ANMF will also argue that nursing, midwifery and care work has been historically undervalued because it is a female-dominated profession. The case seeks to address long-standing assumptions that have influenced wage setting and contributed to the undervaluation of nursing, midwifery and care work.
In addition to seeking wage increases, the ANMF is asking the Fair Work Commission to review the Award’s classification structure to ensure it properly reflects work value and career progression opportunities. The union is also seeking to rename the Nurses Award 2020 as the Nurses and Midwives Award, formally recognising the important contribution of midwives.
The hearing, before an Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission in Melbourne, is expected to run for five days. ANMF members from across Australia will provide evidence about the realities of contemporary nursing and midwifery practice and why award wages should better reflect the skills, responsibility and expertise required in today’s healthcare system.
The ANMJ will continue to provide updates on the progress of the case as hearings continue.
