Resources

The ELDAC Self-care Room is a free, co-designed online resource that supports the wellbeing of aged care workers. It offers practical tools like reflection activities, quick self-care ideas, grief support, and planning guides to help staff manage stress and prevent burnout while delivering end-of-life care.

This report outlines a promising practice of implementing paid monthly meetings for home care workers. These structured sessions, held at local venues, compensate workers for their time and travel, fostering regular face-to-face interactions with colleagues, team leaders, and support staff. The initiative aims to reduce worker isolation, enhance communication, and improve the quality of client care by acknowledging the valuable insights and experiences of home

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 GEN Aged Care Workforce page offers a detailed overview of Australia's aged care workforce, encompassing residential care, home care, and support services. It presents data on workforce size, composition, and characteristics, highlighting roles such as personal care workers, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff. The page also provides insights into workforce demographics, including age, gender, and cultural diversity, and discusses trends

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 Fair Work Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case introduced major award changes from January 2025 to better recognise the value of aged care work. Key updates include significant pay increases of 15–28.5% for direct care workers such as personal care assistants and nursing assistants, depending on their qualifications and duties.