Aged Care Workers deserve better pay and respect at work. Agree? Join us!
your union for aged care workers
We work in aged care, home care and disability services. We provide essential support to keep older Australians safe. We give professional care, with dignity. Together we are campaigning to change aged care because we all deserve dignity and respect.
If you work in Aged Care, Home Care or Disability Support – United Workers Union is your union.
We fight hard for jobs you can count on, decent pay and conditions, and respect at work. Your union is here to help you – providing a range of quality services, benefits and representation when you need it. Throughout our history, we’ve shown when working people come together, we win.
UWU aged care delegation at canberra!
Aged care workers are under immense pressure. Chronic understaffing means residents aren’t receiving the care they need, mandated care minutes are often missed, and workloads keep increasing. While some providers claim everything is compliant, workers on the floor know the reality.
And while migrant workers make up 40% of the aged care workforce, without secure labour agreements and clear pathways to permanent residency, we risk losing these skilled, experienced staff making the staffing crisis even more severe.
Your Aged Care Union just sent a delegation of residential and home care members to Canberra to speak directly to politicians about the urgent reforms needed in aged care.
Our members met with key decision makers across the federal and state levels who directly influence aged care policy, funding, and workplace laws.
Well done to the over 400 aged care workers who had their say about what needs to change – we passed on every single message to them!
Every conversation helped keep aged care on the national agenda and reminded Parliament that improving conditions for workers and residents must remain a priority.
aged CARE WORKERS win an additional pay rise!
breaking union win on care time!
The government has recently announced a major change to the aged care star ratings system.
From 1 October, aged care homes cannot score an “acceptable” 3 star staffing rating unless they meet both their:
- legislated total care minutes
- 24/7 Registered Nurse minutes
This is a huge union win and wouldn’t have been possible without UWU aged care members lobbying decision makers and discussing issues and solutions with the new Aged Care Minister!
It’s also proof that your Aged Care Watch reports continue to shine a spotlight on aged care, exposing chronic understaffing, missed RN minutes, and care minutes on paper that do not match what is happening on the floor.
Is your employer playing fair on care time?
Stay informed and get the correct information on what care time means for you and your residents!
Explore our Aged Care Mandatory Care Minutes Hub — your go to resource for all the information you need.
union member benefits
Better Pay and Conditions
Union members stand together for better pay and conditions, respect, and job security.
Australian workers who are union members earn on average $250 more every week.
Back up and Support at Work
When you face poor treatment – like unfair dismissal, safety issues or harassment at work it’s important to be union.
At worksites across the country UWU Delegates, leaders and Health and Safety Reps have your back.
Training, Community & Information
Members have access to exclusive training and development designed to support you at work.
Being union also gives you access to a community of workers and expert information when you need it.
Join a Movement that Wins
When you’re union, you’re part of a national movement with a long history for standing up for what is right.
If you want a fairer Australia, joining your union is the best way to make a difference.Save with Union Shopper
As a United Workers Union member you’re entitled to a wide range of financial discounts and savings as part of the union member benefits program.
Offset your union dues by saving big on groceries, white goods, and travel.join the union for aged care workers
Standing united as thousands of Aged Care workers we can change our sector for the better!
aged care visa & pathway to permanent residency
Direct Care workers who are working in Aged Care are now eligible to be sponsored for a permanent resident visa to address workforce shortages in aged care.
Only aged care employers who have negotiated with the union and have a Labour Agreement will be able to sponsor workers on to permanent residency.
MIGRANT WORKforce SURVEY
It’s vital that we keep aged care workers in aged care!
Migrant workers represent around 40% of the aged care workforce, and many workers are on temporary visas despite working in Australia and in the aged care sector for years.
Without action we could lose these experienced workers.
We want to hear from as many migrant aged care workers on visas as possible to help push for labour agreements and pathways to PR.
Take our 5-minute survey now!
Let's change aged care together!
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Aged Care Watch
Real accountability is here
Aged Care Watch allows aged care workers, residents, and families to report what’s really happening in residential facilities across Australia.
Reports have exposed chronic understaffing and helped drive key reforms, including:
Minimum care time requirements
24/7 Registered Nurse (RN) coverage
Significant wage increases
Yet, some providers still fail to meet staffing requirements—misreporting care minutes while neglecting residents’ needs.
To increase transparency, Aged Care Watch now offers:
Safe Staffing Report – Rate staffing levels and their impact.
Pay Report – Compare wages and expose unfair pay.
Aged Care Story Report – Share real experiences to highlight critical issues.
Your voice matters. Help hold providers accountable and demand better care.
Join thousands of others in exposing the truth. Report understaffing and care issues at your facility today!
resources for workers
Our coverage
union faq's
Unions were started for workers, by workers to give them a stronger voice at work and in the community. Unions collectively bargain for better pay and conditions, provide representation at work, and engage in community and political campaigns that impact members’ lives. Joining the union is joining a collective, standing together for a better future.
United Workers Union (UWU) is the union for workers in Aged Care across a variety of roles including:
- Care workers
- Hospitality staff and cooks
- Nursing Assistants
- Laundry workers
- Maintenance workers
- Managers
Our coverage extends across:
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Northern Territory
UWU is also the union for Home Care workers in NSW, Qld, WA, SA, NT and ACT.
If you’re unsure or have any questions, get in touch with us here.
If you used to be represented by United Voice – that’s us! United Voice merged with NUW to form UWU in 2019.
If you work in Aged Care in another state, you may be represented by another union like the HSU – find your union through the ACTU here.
No. The Fair Work Act 2009 states that in Australia, everyone has the right to be a member of a union. Your employer cannot discriminate against you or prevent you from being a member, or from seeking help from your organiser or local union office.
In fact if your employer or manager is discouraging you from joining your union – that is the strongest indication that you need union protection.
If you’re particularly worried about your situation, call our friendly Membership Services Team to discuss.
Union membership fees change slightly based on where you work and what you’re paid – most membership fees are $13.75 a week. The join form will display the right fee grade once you enter your occupation information, before you submit your details.
Yes, union membership is 100% tax deductible!
When joining online you can select to pay either by credit/debit card, or via direct debit.
You can also select your payment frequency: weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, so you can align it with your pay cycle.
Unions are run to benefit their members, not for profit. Membership fees are used to provide services and advocate on behalf of members, like representation and legal support, training and development opportunities, expert information, collectively bargain on behalf of workers, and run community/political campaigns to further our members interests (like our Change Aged Care campaign!).