Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review

We started this process to consider making changes (variations) to certain classifications and minimum wage rates in the following modern awards:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020 – AM2024/22
• Children’s Services Award 2010 – AM2024/23
• Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 – AM2024/20
• Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 – AM2024/19
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 – AM2024/21, AM2024/25, AM2024/27

The proceedings follow the Annual Wage Review 2023-24 decision, which identified that the above 5 awards require priority consideration as to whether they have been the subject of gender-based undervaluation.

PLEASE NOTE:
Applications made by the Australian Services Union, Australian Workers Union, Heath Services Union and United Workers Union (AM2024/25) and Australian Services Union (AM2024/27) to change the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 were dealt with in part by the Expert Panel in its initial Decision [2025] FWCFB 74.

A list of Issues considered in this case was published in a Statement issued by the Expert Panel on 24 June 2024, following consultation with parties. It can be found here: [2024] FWCFB 291 (pdf) 

The Expert Panel for pay equity in the care and community sector issued its initial decision on 16 April 2025 (April Decision) in the Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review:

• the Decision Summary of the Gender-based undervaluation decision (pdf)
• the Decision [2025] FWCFB 74 (pdf)
• the Determination for the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 PR786095 (pdf)

The April Decision finalised consideration of the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 (AM2024/19).

On 28 November 2025, the Expert Panel issued a decision in relation to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020 (AM2024/22), finalising this matter:

• the Decision [2025] FWCFB 271 (pdf)
• the Determination for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020 PR794316 (pdf) and Correction determination - PR794888

On 10 December 2025, the Expert Panel issued a decision in relation to the Children's Services Award 2010 (AM2024/23), finalising this matter:

• the Decision [2025] FWCFB 283 (pdf)
• the Determination for the Children's Services Award 2010 PR794818 (pdf), Correction determination - PR794932 and Correction determination - PR796954

On 24 December 2025, the Expert Panel issued a decision in relation to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (AM2024/20), finalising this matter in respect of dental assistants and pathology collectors. Matters relating to health professionals will be finalised pending comment on a draft determination:

• the Decision [2025] FWCFB 297 (pdf)
• the Determination for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 PR795400 (pdf) and Correction determination - PR797960

The Expert Panel has expressed provisional views in relation to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (AM2024/21). This matter is yet to be finalised.

View the timetable and documents below for information about the next stages of these matters and how you can get involved.

Please note that we publish all submissions and correspondence on our website.

Read privacy statement for modern award matters.

Read further information for parties.

PLEASE NOTE: only some material relevant to each matter is linked in this section. Please see the 'Documents' section below for all documents relating to this case.