paul mallett calls for a Tasmanian Care Economy Wage Strategy, co-designed by unions, service providers and the State and Federal Government, to lift wages, value workers, and delivery better care. paul says it’s time we value care. A fair wage for care is not just an act of fairness — it’s how we secure the future of vital services for our ageing population, our children and people with disability.

Background

After three decades of work in the community sector, paul understand that Tasmania’s care economy — aged care, disability, early childhood education, community and social services — is the backbone of our wellbeing and our workforce participation. But paul knows that much of this vital work remains:

• Undervalued: Historically low wages because it’s feminised work.
• Underfunded: Pay rates often rely on tight government contracts and thin margins.
• Under strain: Workforce shortages, high turnover, and growing demand put stress on workers and families alike.

This affects:

• Women’s lifetime earnings and retirement security
• Service quality and availability for Tasmanians in need
• Tasmania’s economic potential — care is an economic enabler.

Proposal

paul believes through the co-design and delivery of a Care Economy Wage Strategy, Tasmania can be a national leader in the care economy — securing better wages, better jobs, and better care — especially for rural and regional communities. paul calls for Tasmania to:

• Be the state that values care as essential work, by setting clear pay equity targets and timelines, and reporting annually on progress
• Pay fair wages for care roles at every level, and secure a skilled, respected, local workforce
• Deliver high-quality, reliable care for every Tasmanian in urban and rural locations

The policy priorities are:

Back Fair Pay Cases

• Partner with unions, providers and the Federal Government to support pay equity claims in aged care, disability, early childhood and social services.

• Provide co-funding to ensure community organisations can deliver wage increases without cutting services.

Fund Secure, Quality Jobs

• Build care funding into state budgets as social infrastructure — not just short-term grants.

• Fund longer-term contracts for community sector providers so they can offer secure jobs, not casualised work.

Grow Our Own Workforce

• Expand local training, scholarships and placement supports to grow the next generation of carers, educators, and support workers.

• Deliver regional workforce housing to stop “prac poverty” and encourage rural practice.

Lead by Example

• Commit to gender pay equity across the public sector and state-funded services.

• Require funded providers to conduct regular pay equity audits and publish results.

Celebrate and Elevate Care

• Invest in campaigns that promote care careers as skilled, rewarding and valued.

• Build career pathways and progression opportunities — from certificate-level entry roles to specialist and leadership positions.