About the pay equity settlement for mental health and addiction workers

In June 2018 the Government announced the extension of the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity Settlement to New Zealand’s estimated 5,000 mental health and addiction support workers.

In an agreement with unions and employers, the Government has agreed to extend the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act to include mental health and addiction support workers. This Settlement Agreement was signed by all parties to the settlement at Parliament on 25 July 2018.

The settlement delivers a new pay scale that reflects workers’ qualifications and experience.

Nearly half will get an increase of more than $3 per hour which means that full-time workers will be paid approximately an extra $120 a week before tax.

A further 20 percent will get an increase of more than $5 per hour or around an extra $200 for a 40-hour week.

The $173.5 million settlement extension will be implemented over a five-year term and funded through an increase to Vote Health.

As well as increasing the wages of workers, making a real difference to their lives, the settlement improves access to training and supports reduced turnover in the sector, meaning better care for some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

For information about Pay Equity Assessed Qualifications, contact Te Whatu Ora on 0800 855 066 or email customerservice@health.govt.nz.