Resources

The 2018 report Developing Sustainable Career Pathways for Aged Care Workers by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre examines strategies to attract and retain personal care assistants (PCAs) in Western Australia's aged care sector. Through interviews and surveys across nine facilities, the study identifies key factors influencing workforce stability, such as age, language background, and regional location. It highlights the need for clear career progression, im

The 2016 National Aged Care Staffing and Skills Mix Project Report by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) provides an evidence-based framework for staffing in residential aged care. It recommends a minimum of 4 hours and 18 minutes of care per resident daily, delivered by a workforce comprising 30% Registered Nurses, 20% Enrolled Nurses, and 50% Personal Care Workers. The study highlights that current staffing levels are insufficient, leading

The 2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey, conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, offers a comprehensive overview of Australia's aged care workforce across five service types: Residential Aged Care, Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Multi-Purpose Services, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. The survey estimates approximately 549,000 individuals employed in aged care, with 75% in

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 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-

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.

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.

This 2020 AON report explores how Total Rewards strategies can support the aged care sector to address key workforce challenges, including attraction, retention, mobility, and compliance. 

This rapid review, commissioned by the NSW Ministry of Health and conducted by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), examines strategies to improve recruitment and retention of allied health professionals (AHPs) in rural Australia. Drawing on published and grey literature, the report synthesizes current evidence and outlines components of a "Rural Pipeline" approach.

This report details evidence scans undertaken to develop the evidence base for Australia’s first National Nursing Workforce Strategy.