Better health and ageing for all Australians

Working in aged care

Related links to selected resources available to support the aged care workforce

Useful links can be found on this page on:

Aged care system reform

The Australian Government’s Living Longer. Living Better aged care reform package announced on 20 April 2012, was substantially informed by an inquiry by the Productivity Commission, and stakeholder consultations that followed the release of the Productivity Commission’s final report in August 2011, Caring for Older Australians.Top of page
    Under National Health Reform major changes are being introduced into the aged care system relating to the aged care workforce — for more information go to: http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/theme-workforce

    Information lines that can assist aged care workers

    • Department of Health and Ageing Aged Care Information line — on 1800 200 422*
    • Aged Care Education and Training Incentive (ACETI) program payment questions — Medicare Australia Aged Care Enquiries Line (the Department of Human Services Aged Care Enquiries Line) — call 1800 195 206*
    • Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres — on 1800 200 422*
    • Carer services — To find out what services exist, call the Carer Advisory and Counselling Service on 1800 242 636*
    • Carer Advisory and Counselling Service — on 1800 242 636*
    • National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500*. This helpline provides information, support and referral services for health professionals, people with dementia, their carers and families. The helpline operates during business hours, and has an after hours message service.
    • Department of Human Services Medicare incentive programs enquiry line - call 1800 222 032*
    • Aged Care nursing scholarships - call 1800 117 262* (or visit the RCNA website at http://www.rcna.org.au
    • National Continence Helpline 1800 330 066*. This helpline is staffed by qualified continence nurse advisers who provide prompt, confidential expert advice and referrals to health professionals and to members of the public. The helpline operates 12 hours a day (8.00am to 8.00pm AEST), Monday to Friday and is closed on national public holidays.
    • For information lines covering resources for particular medical conditions, such as dementia, bladder/bowel problems or incontinence, go to: http://www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au/internet/agedcare/publishing.nsf/Content/Resources+for+particular+medical+conditions-2
    *A free call from most fixed phones. Mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.

    Residential aged care standards and code of conduct

    Community care common standards

    Aged Care Associations

    e-health and aged care

    • The Aged Care Directory, supported by the department, provides a comprehensive listing of e-health products and service solutions specifically for the aged and community services sectors and their workforces
    • Aged care eConnect case studies provide information about the experiences of aged care staff in the implementation of technology, the processes involved, some of the challenges and issues and the benefits.

    Rural and regional

    • The Rural and Regional Health Australia website provides place-based information that allows consumers, providers and planners, including Medicare Locals in regional Australia, to search for information about health programs and services available in their region
    • The Nursing & Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme is available to support nurses and allied health professionals working in aged care in rural and remote Australia to get away to do the professional development training they need to continue their vital work. The scheme supports and recruits suitable locums to enable rural and remote professionals to leave their post to undertake CPD activities, and enable organisations to back-fill their positions to support ongoing service delivery
      • Top of page
    • The Rural Health Education Foundation — provides a mixture of fee-for-service and free television-based health education for doctors, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals, and associated resource materials. A specific subject group covers aged care/gerontology.

    TV channels

    Veterans with special needs status