Page 8 - Just Better Care Possible Magazine - Issue 6

A matter of care for
Australia’s aged care workforce
Strategic actions handed down
for an improved aged care system.
About 15 per cent of Australia’s population – that’s close to 3.8 million people – are aged 65 and over (AIHW, Older Australia at a glance, 2018). With an ageing population and increasing demand for aged care services comes the need to reflect on the workforce responsible for delivering these services.
In June 2018, the Australian Government Department of Health released the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce’s report, A Matter of Care, which identifies 14 strategic actions to assist the aged care industry to address and meet workforce challenges, now and in the future.
The Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce developed
the strategic actions after hearing from thousands of people, including providers, members of the industry workforce,
aged care consumers and their families about creating an improved and more sustainable aged care system in Australia.
Just Better Care Chief Operating Officer Alison Chandler welcomed the actions, saying the strategy would ensure current and future workforce standards reflect a changing industry landscape and the increased need for aged care services.
“Our Support Professionals, Advisors and other support staff delivering in-home care ensure our older generations are living the life they deserve,” Ms Chandler said.
“These actions will put in place measures to better serve the needs of Australians who are aged 65 years and over, as well as the workforce delivering these vital services.
“As an industry, we need to give our workforce the best opportunities for growth. Planning for the future of the aged care workforce should start now, and I commend the government on implementing these strategic actions.”
So what are the 14 actions?
1. Creation of a social change campaign to reframe caring and promote the workforce.
2. Voluntary industry code of practice.
3. Reframing the qualification and skills framework – addressing current and future competencies and skills requirements.
4. Defining new career pathways including accreditation.
5. Developing a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.
6. Establishing a new standard approach to workforce planning and skills mix modelling.
7. Implementing new attraction and retention strategies for the workforce.
8. Developingarevisedworkforce relations framework to better reflect the changing nature
of work.
9. Strengthening the interface between aged care and primary/acute care.
10. Improved training and recruitment practices for the Australian Government aged care workforce.
11. Establishing a remote accord (to respond to workforce issues in rural and remote areas).
12. Establishing an Aged Care Centre for Growth and Transitional Research.
13. Current and future funding considerations, including staff remuneration.
14. Transitioning the existing workforce to new standards.
8 — JUST BETTER CARE
Read more about these strategic actions online at agedcare. health.gov.au/reform/aged-care- workforce-strategy-taskforce