Australia’s aged care workforce
There are around 370,000 aged care workers in Australia, covering:
- residential aged care
- home care
- Commonwealth Home Support Program
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care
- Multi-Purpose Services.
For more details about the aged care workforce in Australia, see our 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census.
The Australian Government is conducting the Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey in April and May 2023. This national survey will capture critical workforce data to inform the Government’s response to ongoing challenges in the aged care sector.
Roles and services
Aged care services are delivered by a range of workforce roles.
Direct care roles include:
- nurses
- support staff
- medical practitioners
- personal care workers
- allied health practitioners and assistants.
Non direct care roles include:
- gardeners
- cleaners
- transport drivers
- volunteers.
Regulation and screening requirements
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the national regulator of aged care services.
The Code of Conduct for Aged Care outlines the standards of behaviour for approved providers, their aged care workers, volunteers and governing persons. The Aged Care Quality Safety Commission is responsible for enforcing the code.
Staff and volunteers who work in aged care setting must be eligible to provide care. Learn about the screening requirements for the aged care workforce.
How we’re helping to grow the workforce
A skilled, diverse and valued workforce will provide safe and high-quality care for older people in Australia.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report made recommendations to improve the aged care workforce. We have addressed these recommendations in initiatives aimed to:
- build the aged care workforce to meet the demand of an ageing Australian population
- upskill the workforce with training and qualifications to improve care delivery
- support providers to develop workforce management and culture, to prioritise valued, productive and skilled workers
- develop data and evidence to inform investment for us and the sector in evidence-based programs and policies.