Gender-based Underevaluation | Priority awards review | Fair work commission
The Fair Work Commission is reviewing modern award classifications and minimum wage rates on work value grounds to remedy potential gender-based undervaluation. The proceedings follow the Annual Wage Review 2023-24 decision, that identified 5 awards that require priority consideration. This includes the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which affects up to 70% of the orthoptic profession who are working in the Private Sector.
A/Prof Amanda French (President, Orthoptics Australia) provided a submission in reply on the 02/11/2025, published on the 03/11/2025.
The submission aligned orthoptists with other health professions who are under review, echoing the feminisation of the workforce, high qualification level and the work value change over time for the orthoptic profession. The submission called for reconsideration of the initial decision to align entry-level renumeration based on the minimum AQF level designated for the profession, and instead suggested this should be based on an individual's AQF qualification level. The third proposal supports higher pay for those in leadership roles and with greater expertise, while clarifying the term ‘specialist’ used in the initial decision given its varied use across the healthcare sector.
Read the full submission here