PRESS RELEASE: Aged Care Travel Reimbursement Relief, its more than just cents

Aged Care Travel Reimbursement Relief, its more than just cents.

A mid-size in-home aged care provider is putting its Support Workers first as it implements improved travel reimbursements that surpass the recommendation outline within the SCHADS Award.

The Managing Director, Marijana Andonovski today announced revised funding reimbursement that would see MCWA Support Workers receive greater travel reimbursement funds each fortnight. A week on from the federal government halving the fuel excise that would ease financial pressure for all Australians, MCWA has taken the next step to further protect its Support Workers from higher petrol prices.

The MCWA Treasurer, Miki Dodevski echoed Ms Andonovski’s sentiments and endorsed the move for MCWA to implement improved travel reimbursements for MCWA’s frontline staff.
Mr Dodevski shared the importance of creating working conditions that would enable frontline staff to thrive. “With the cost of living increasing and the forecasted interest rate rises, we must do what is necessary to ensure our workforce is not disadvantage and safeguard the delivery of essential services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.” Miki Dodevski, Treasurer, MCWA.

The SCHADS Awarded Pay Guide, (p12 Allowances, Vehicle Allowance) stipulates that Support Workers are entitled to $0.80 per kilometre travel reimbursement. However, with the daily average petrol price soaring to (as outlined by the ACCC on 8 April 2022) $1.69 per litre, Support Workers are put further out-of-pocket as they travel to and from clients’ homes to provide essential services. To support its frontline staff, MCWA has introduced a sliding scale that will see MCWA Support Workers receive a 60% travel reimbursement of the daily average unleaded petrol price (but no less than $0.80 per kilometre travelled). This move will result in MCWA Support Workers being reimbursed $0.21 cents above the SCHADS Award Pay Guide Vehicle Allowance (based on the average unleaded petrol price listed on 8 April 2022).

As a Home Care Package provider, MCWA provides essential services to hundreds of multicultural clients every day of the week. With older Australians having a stronger preference to remain living at home, and a reported 42% receiving home care and 30% in home support (AIHW Nov 2021), in-home aged care workers have never been more important to the aged care sector.

“The role MCWA plays for the multicultural community cannot be compromised by increased petrol prices. Frontline staff are imperative for the in-home aged care sector and the delivery of essential services, without them, our ageing and elderly community wishing to remain living at home would be at risk.” Marijana Andonovski, Managing Director, MCWA.