Training funding boost

The Minister for Ageing has announced a $43.8 million education and training package designed to improve the skills over 8,000 aged and community care workers.

Justine Elliot made the announcement at Ballina TAFE, which will receive close to $200,000 in this funding round.

The extra funding comes as part of the federal government’s ongoing ‘Community Aged Care Workforce Development’ and ‘Better Skills for Better Care’ programs                            

“Australians now have the longest life expectancy in the English speaking world – and we are responding to the challenges of our nation’s ageing population,” Mrs Elliot said.

“We are continuing to invest in training so that the aged and community care workforce is equipped with the right skills to provide high quality care to people in their own homes and in aged care homes.”

This announcement brings the Rudd Government’s investment in training for aged care workers to more than $127 million.

“This is a practical and commonsense measure – it is about helping people gain additional work skills and build a long-term career in aged care,” Mrs Elliot said.

“The Rudd Government is committed to ensuring older Australians receive the best quality of care, whether they chose to remain at home or enter residential care, and a skilled aged care workforce is an important component in providing quality care.”  

The funding will support the training of 3,000 community aged care workers and 5,000 personal carers in residential aged care.