This Flagship Project aims to optimise workforce utilisation in residential and home care settings through the co-design of a flexible role matrix, streamlining responsibilities, accountabilities, and communication channels. By engaging leaders and staff in a comprehensive co-design process, the project will improve workforce efficiency, reduce occupational stress, and create clearer career pathways, enhancing staff retention, leadership development, and communication between residents/clients, families and staff.
 | This project leverages the evidence established from a successful ARIIA-grant funded pilot intervention that has demonstrated significant benefits for aged care residents, their families, and staff. Initially developed and tested by St Basil’s Homes South Australia and Griffith University, this intervention co-designed, trialled, and evaluated a flexible leadership model for middle management. |
The project mapped an innovative role matrix, which redefined role scopes, accountabilities, and communication channels. Implementation of organisational approaches based on this mapping led to clearer career progression opportunities and greater role clarity for staff, alongside improvements in perceptions of quality of care and overall satisfaction with care among residents and families. Additionally, the findings reported reduced occupational stress and lower intentions to leave amongst employees, contributing to a more stable and engaged workforce.
This Flagship Project will support participating aged care providers to adapt the co-design role matrix mapping process to their unique context, supported closely by ARIIA and Griffith University. As part of the project, each implementation site will develop and implement for 6 months an intervention that addresses their specific opportunities and challenges, for example the introduction of a new leadership role, process improvements, or enhanced governance and communication mechanisms.
Participating organisations
Residential aged care facility, St Patrick’s Green, Sydney NSW
"St Patrick’s Green is proud to partner with ARIIA through Flagship Project 1 to co-design a flexible Leadership Model that strengthens leadership and workforce sustainability in aged care. This initiative supports our Better Together care model, which places person-centred, relationship-based care at the heart of everything we do. By investing in leadership development, role clarity, and career pathways, we aim to empower our staff, enhance retention, and improve outcomes for residents. We’re excited to contribute to sector-wide innovation and share our learnings with the broader aged care community."
Residential aged care home, St George’s, Melbourne VIC
"At Benetas, our vision is that older people can live their 'Best Life'. This is intrinsically linked to the quality of care we deliver. To continuously improve, we know we need a skilled and competent workforce who are; engaged, empowered, and well-led. As a recipient of this ARIIA grant, we look forward to collaborating with the ARIIA team to explore different approaches to leadership, as we believe that what worked in the past may not necessarily be fit for purpose in the future."
Residential aged care facility, Kippa-Ring, Moreton Bay QLD
"Beaumont Care are thrilled to take part in this flagship research project," said Elise Wardell, Chief Executive Officer of Beaumont Care.
"Prioritising co-design and innovation allows us to better support our own workforce, maximise quality outcomes for our residents, while collaborating with and contributing to the sector more broadly."
Home care region, Gold Coast, QLD
Home care region, Far North Coast, NSW
"This flagship project presents a valuable opportunity for us to explore innovative workforce models and career pathways — areas critical to delivering safe, quality and connected care, especially in the regional, rural, and remote communities we serve. It aligns with our strategic focus on enhancing workforce and service effectiveness through a multi-disciplinary home care team. We are eager to understand what we can learn to benefit our business, the broader home care sector, and importantly how we can improve care for people who wish to stay at home, wherever home is for them."
Home care region, Darling Downs, QLD
