Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) offers tailored programs and short courses focused on workforce capability development throughout the year. These programs aim to equip the aged care workforce and leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence to adapt, apply and implement best practice to solve challenges in their organisations.
ARIIA has two opportunities commencing on Monday 23 February with last-minute enrolments open until midnight ACDT on 3 February 2026.
- The Innovation Capability Program is designed for individuals working in or with aged care providers who aim to transform the way things are done. Bring your project idea or organisational challenge to the program, and our experts will guide you through finding the best solution and developing it into a robust project plan. The program is delivered online from 23 February to 5 April 2026. Full scholarships are available for organisations that meet eligibility criteria.
- The Retaining your Aged Care Workforce short course encourages leaders to consider how data, culture, and targeted strategies can work together to address workforce challenges and build a more sustainable future for aged care organisations. The course is delivered online from 23 February to 15 March 2026.
Dr Rebecca Bilton, ARIIA Program and Research Director, said a key element of ARIIA’s workforce capacity development programs and short courses was the ability to tailor the learnings to meet the specific needs of participants, and to bring the sector together to solve common problems.
“Our programs and short courses are evidence-based and designed to make a difference to how people embrace change and how leaders themselves can encourage greater innovation across organisations to deliver higher levels of care or services within aged care.”
Dr Bilton said ARIIA had helped over 100 participants from more than 40 organisations to complete workforce capability development training in 2025. “Not only will we be offering successful programs and courses from previous years again in 2026, but we’ll also be launching exciting new capability- building opportunities based on sector feedback.”
Application and scholarship details
Full details of how to apply for the Innovation Capability Program (including scholarship eligibility criteria) or the Retaining your Aged Care Workforce short course can be found at https://www.ariia.org.au/programs/workforce-capability-development-programs
ABOUT ARIIA
Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) is an independent, charitable organisation shaping the future of aged care in Australia. Founded in October 2021 under the Australian Government’s aged care workforce strategy A Matter of Care, ARIIA was born to respond to the urgent challenges of our evolving aged care industry.
With foundational support from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Flinders University, and the South Australian Government Department of State Development, ARIIA is at the forefront of positive transformation in aged care across Australia. We address critical sector needs, support government and professional commitments, and foster collaboration and innovation to empower aged care professionals to drive positive change.