This Flagship Project aims to optimise workforce utilisation in residential and home care settings through the co-design of a flexible role matrix, streamlining responsibilities, accountabilities, and communication channels. By engaging leaders and staff in a comprehensive co-design process, the project will improve workforce efficiency, reduce occupational stress, and create clearer career pathways, enhancing staff retention, leadership development, and communication between residents/clients, families and staff.
 | This project leverages the evidence established from a successful ARIIA-grant funded pilot intervention that has demonstrated significant benefits for aged care residents, their families, and staff. Initially developed and tested by St Basil’s Homes South Australia and Griffith University, this intervention co-designed, trialled, and evaluated a flexible leadership model for middle management. |
The project mapped an innovative role matrix, which redefined role scopes, accountabilities, and communication channels. Implementation of organisational approaches based on this mapping led to clearer career progression opportunities and greater role clarity for staff, alongside improvements in perceptions of quality of care and overall satisfaction with care among residents and families. Additionally, the findings reported reduced occupational stress and lower intentions to leave amongst employees, contributing to a more stable and engaged workforce.
This Flagship Project will support participating aged care providers to adapt the co-design role matrix mapping process to their unique context, supported closely by ARIIA and Griffith University. As part of the project, each implementation site will develop and implement for 6 months an intervention that addresses their specific opportunities and challenges, for example the introduction of a new leadership role, process improvements, or enhanced governance and communication mechanisms.
A recording of ARIIA’s Flagship Project online information session is available to watch here.
The recording is divided into chapters so you can easily navigate to the information most relevant to you.
Applications now open
Application documents
It is recommended that you download and save a copy of the application form, and work on the application on an MS Word desktop application.
If you have any questions or issues, please email agedcarecollaborative@ariia.org.au
