Resources

The Care Workforce Labour Market Study by Jobs and Skills Australia provides a comprehensive analysis of Australia's care and support workforce, encompassing aged care, disability, veteran, and mental health services. As of February 2021, approximately 460,000 individuals were employed in these sectors, with the workforce growing three times faster than the broader Australian labor market. Notably, 79% of workers are female, around 40% are born overseas, and a

The Fair Work Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case introduced major award changes from January 2025 to better recognise the value of aged care work. Key updates include significant pay increases of 15–28.5% for direct care workers such as personal care assistants and nursing assistants, depending on their qualifications and duties.

The Aged Care Award [MA000018] Pay Guide, effective from 1 July 2025, outlines minimum pay rates for aged care employees in Australia. It details hourly and weekly wages across classification levels, along with applicable penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, overtime, and shift work. The guide incorporates recent updates from the Aged Care Work Value Case, including reclassifications and pay increases for direct care workers and nursing assistants.

The Draft National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy highlights key aged care priorities to meet rising demand and improve service quality. It emphasizes building a skilled, professional workforce through better pay, training, and career pathways, while addressing workforce shortages via migration and regional incentives. The strategy supports a shift toward home-based care, aligning with older Australians' preferences, and calls for a universal, needs-

The "Building a capable, skilled and sufficiently large workforce" section of the Draft National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy addresses Australia's growing demand for care workers. It emphasizes the need for better job quality, including fair pay, secure employment, and adequate training, to attract and retain staff. The strategy highlights challenges such as workforce shortages, high turnover, and competition across sectors like aged care, disabil

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement streamlines the process for aged care providers to hire qualified overseas workers in key direct care roles. It enables access to skilled migration pathways with benefits such as a two-year route to permanent residency, no post-qualification experience requirement, and English language concessions. Employers must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with relevant unions to participate.

This government webpage provides information on various career opportunities and pathways for nurses in the aged care sector.

This survey is from Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. It focuses on workforce, covers job satisfaction and intentions to remain in the sector. Notably, 65% of respondents expressed a desire to continue working in aged care. The main motivations included making a positive impact on older individuals' lives or job proximity.

This government webpage provides information on efforts to reform the aged care sector, especially in relation to strengthening the aged care workforce.

The Aged Care Workforce Action Plan: 2022–2025 outlines the Government’s actions across 3 goals: to grow, skill and enable an aged care workforce that delivers safe, high quality care that puts older Australians first.