August 15, 2023
BlueCare – operators of Kingaroy’s Canowindra Aged Care Facility – says it has boosted some workers’ pay by 5 per cent on top of recent mandated award rises.
A spokesperson for the faith-based organisation said BlueCare wanted to acknowledge their employees’ contribution to the sector and the rising costs of living.
It is also hoping the wage rises will attract more workers to its ranks.
The boost will apply to personal carers, allied health assistants, activities officers, hospitality officers and support workers.
Some staff will receive up to a 28 per cent increase from their pre-June 30 pay when the 5.75 per cent from the Fair Work Commission rise and the 15 per cent Work Value Case increases are also taken into account.
UnitingCare Aged Care and Community Services executive Cathy Thomas said improving pay was the first-step in ensuring BlueCare had the right workforce in place to meet the needs of the local community.
“Our wage increases coincide with the introduction of BlueCare Neighbourhoods, a new operating model that will future proof our in-home service offering, enabling staff to deliver more co-ordinated and personalised care locally to clients,” Ms Thomas said.
Ms Thomas said BlueCare was currently recruiting more aged-care workers for the Wide Bay Burnett region.
She said the new operating model coincided with BlueCare celebrating its 70th birthday this month.
The Blue Nursing Service, as it was originally called, was an initiative of the West End Methodist Mission in South Brisbane, led by Reverend Arthur Preston.
In 1977, it came under the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod.
The service started with just one nurse in 1953.
There are now more than 8000 staff and 500 volunteers throughout Queensland.
