Resources

The Grattan Institute's 2021 report, The Next Steps for Aged Care, calls for an additional $10 billion annually to overhaul Australia's aged care system. It advocates for a rights-based Aged Care Act, universal funding akin to Medicare, and the employment of 70,000 more workers. Proposed funding mechanisms include an aged care levy and reforms to superannuation tax concessions.

This Flinders University report examines the impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on Australia's aged care sector, highlighting challenges in workforce planning, service integration, and funding. It underscores the need for coordinated policy approaches to address overlapping care needs and ensure sustainable, high-quality support for older Australians.

This Flinders University report examines the impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) on Australia's aged care sector, highlighting challenges in workforce planning, service integration, and funding. It underscores the need for coordinated policy approaches to address overlapping care needs and ensure sustainable, high-quality support for older Australians.

This 2023 report explores alternative staffing models for residential aged care services that struggle to meet the 24/7 registered nurse requirement. Commissioned by the Department of Health and Aged Care, it recommends flexible, clinically safe approaches such as nurse practitioner-led models, telehealth, and outreach services—particularly for rural and remote facilities. The report supports exemptions in specific contexts (e.g.

The 2023 Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) Workforce Report presents insights from a national survey of aged care providers. It identifies persistent challenges in recruitment, retention, training, and workforce supply, particularly for personal care workers, registered nurses, and allied health professionals. The report highlights high vacancy rates, increased use of agency staff, and limited access to skilled workers in regional areas.

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-