Why the FWC’s Gender Undervaluation Review Matters in 2025
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What’s It About?
In response to reforms in the Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) launched an Expert Panel on 7 June 2024 to assess whether minimum pay rates and classifications in five modern awards reflected fair work value—and correct any gender-based undervaluation where the majority of workers in those roles are women.
The five priority awards covered are:
- Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
- Health Professionals & Support Services Award 2020 (HPSS)
- Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award 2010 (SCHADS)
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Award 2020 (ATSIHW)
- Children’s Services Award 2010
Key 2025 Findings & Actions
- Pharmacy Award: Final decision confirmed 14.1% pay rise for pharmacists (including interns), delivered in three stages from 30 June 2025, 30 June 2026, and 30 June 2027.
- Other Four Awards: The Panel issued provisional views proposing significant pay and classification changes—including increases up to 35% for health professionals and 27.8% for early childhood educators. These are still under review with updated conferences and hearings set from May 2025 onward.
Why It’s Still Relevant in 2025
- The first pay increase under the Pharmacy Award is only just taking effect in June 2025—HR teams must ensure payroll systems, budgets, and communications are aligned.
- Proposed changes for the remaining awards are actively progressing. HR leaders in sectors like health services, community and disability care, childcare, and pharmacy should monitor and participate in upcoming consultations.
- This marks a new legal and cultural standard: gender equity is now an explicit objective in award wage setting—impacting how awards are maintained, negotiated, and reviewed.
HR Action Checklist for 2025
| Task | Why It Matters |
| Identify impacted staff | See who’s covered by the five priority awards |
| Update payroll and budgets | Plan for phased increases starting June 2025 |
| Review contracts/funding | Especially NDIS and early childhood funding contexts |
| Engage stakeholders | Inform managers and employees about timing & scope |
| Monitor consultations | Provide feedback or submissions where relevant |
In Summary
The FWC’s Gender Undervaluation Review continues to shape workplace pay equity in 2025 and beyond. With the Pharmacy Award increases now confirmed and other awards navigated through provisional stages, HR teams need to stay responsive. This is a pivotal moment—signaling structural reform in how Australia values work traditionally done by women.
Need help exploring impact on specific roles or preparing HR systems? Contact Preston HR to speak to our expert consultants.