Centre for Growth and Translational Research
The Centre for Growth and Translational Research will conduct research with aged care workers, providers, researchers and people who use aged care services. Findings will be used to create innovative solutions for the aged care sector to ensure best possible care to senior Australians.
Need for the research centre
In response to the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce’s report A Matter of Care: Australia’s Aged Care Workforce Strategy, we are establishing a centre to help improve aged care services through:
- growth – supporting increased workforce capacity and capability, and improved models of care, care quality, productivity and commercialisation
- translational research – through knowledge transfer, including through the accelerated uptake of new technologies.
The Australian Government has committed $34 million to create the Centre for Growth and Translational Research.
Aims of the centre
The centre will increase investment in aged care research and innovation. It will help aged care providers and their workforce translate aged care research into best practice.
Centre projects include:
- Building an online knowledge and implementation hub to give the sector information and products about how to best deliver aged care services.
- Conducting research around priorities decided with the aged care sector. First year priorities include:
- dementia care
- restorative care and rehabilitation
- mental health and wellbeing
- social isolation.
- Developing educational materials and training programs to improve workforce capability.
Setting up the centre
The Australian Government is funding Flinders University to establish and operate the centre. We selected the university through a 2-step tender process. It will receive funding for 3 years until 30 June 2024.
The Aged Care Workforce Industry Council will support and advise the university. There are 73 partners who will allow immediate access to the aged care sector.
The university will actively engage with all industry partners including:
- researchers
- aged care providers and their workers
- people who receive aged care, their families and friends.
Centre operations
Over 3 years, Flinders University will set up the centre as an independent organisation with an independent Board of Directors. The board will include representation from the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council and aged care workforce representatives.
From 1 July 2024, we expect the aged care industry to find alternative funding sources to continue the centre’s operations.
Learn more
Find out more about the Centre for Growth and Translational Research at the Flinders University website.