Training boost for thousands of aged care workers

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10 January 2007

SAN003/07

More than 3,000 aged care workers across Australia will receive extra skills training in 2007 as part of a $56 million commitment by the Howard Government.

The Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, today announced the results of the third round of applications under the Better Skills for Better Care program.

“A total of 3,279 workers from 1,560 aged care homes around Australia will be offered the opportunity to expand their skills under this round of Better Skills for Better Care,” Senator Santoro said.

“While they will benefit personally as a result, the real winners will be the residents of aged care homes, who will enjoy an even higher level of care and service as a result of a more skilled workforce.

“This round of the program targeted personal care workers, offering them training in Certificate III and Certificate IV in Aged Care Work and Certificate IV in Lifestyle and Leisure.”

The Better Skills for Better Care program was established in the 2004-05 Budget, with a $56 million commitment from the Howard Government.

More than 10,000 personal care workers have already accessed vocational training from the first two rounds of Better Skills for Better Care.

Senator Santoro said the new round of funding took the Howard Government’s total spending on aged care training to $229 million over the last five years.

“This is another example of the Government’s genuine commitment to boosting the skills base of the aged care industry,” he said.

“By doing so, we are not only helping our valuable aged care workers improve their knowledge and abilities, but we are also boosting the long-term viability and quality of the aged care industry as a whole.

“And that will ultimately lead to even higher standards of care for elderly Australians.”

For more information call Senator Santoro's office on ph 02 6277 7280.

Summary of training place offers under Round 3 of Better Skills for Better Care

State	Funding	Number of Applications	Number of Homes	Cert III AC	Cert IV AC	Cert IV L&L	Total All Training
ACT	$ 158,151.00	2	15	20	7	4	31
NSW	$ 4,169,412.32	55	606	299	658	321	1278
QLD	$ 1,852,076.20	20	224	191	126	154	471
SA	$ 1,120,151.00	11	150	142	58	111	311
TAS	$ 328,038.40	10	36	30	31	16	77
VIC	$ 3,546,057.68	60	401	155	334	370	859
WA	$ 417,456.40	15	128	37	121	94	252
TOTAL	$11,591,343.00	173	1560	874	1335	1070	3279