Plan aims to strengthen workforce
The aged care minister has launched a framework outlining key actions and priorities for building a better aged care workforce.
Better pay and more training among the focus areas of a new framework published by the Department of Health and Aged Care to highlight the work undeway to build a valued, skilled and supported aged care workforce.
The Professional FrameWork has been devised by the department’s Aged Care Workforce Committee to support to workforce to meet the needs and rights of older Australians.
The 23-page document outlines the eight priority focus areas and the actions underway and planned to achieve the desired outcomes including the stage 2 and stage 3 wage increases.
Announcing the framework at ACCPA’S National Conference 2024 in Adelaide on 23 October, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the “government’s mission” was to recognise the “value” of the nation’s aged care workers.
“We are committed to unleashing the potential of health and aged care professionals,” Ms Wells told delegates.
“Our work has been guided by the principle to build a better, skilled and supportive workforce that meets needs and rights. So today, I would like to share with you our professional framework. We have taken a whole government approach and invested $17.5 billion across health, training and immigration to help with the aged care workforce.”
Framework’s eight key focus areas
- uplifting pay and conditions
- boosting education and training
- improving culture
- encouraging innovation
- increasing career pathways
- improving workforce planning
- building evidence base
- building leadership capability
Elsewhere the Minister told providers to “hold up your end of the bargain” when the new Aged Care Act is implemented and reminded them that there is still “real work” for them to do.
“We are doing our part by acting on the royal commission and taskforce recommendation,” Ms Wells said.”
“It is up to the sector to deliver a much higher overall standard of care, to uphold the standard of rights, to fulfil your new duty of care and to deliver all of your care minutes you are funded to deliver.”
She added, “The Aged Care Act has the potential to make the aged care system better and more capable of delivering the quality, respectable and person-centric care that older people in Australia deserve.”
Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to our premium content or AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.