Building the aged care workforce

Find out how we are helping providers build and develop a supported, valued and productive workforce.

Remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Service Development Assistance Panel

The Remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) provides free professional support to aged care providers. The SDAP supports providers in remote areas or who give care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Qualified and experienced panel members work with providers to address challenges like:

  • clinical care
  • financial and workforce planning
  • governance and regulation.

This program also provides culturally appropriate support to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care services.

Boosting the Local Care Workforce

The Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program is delivered by the Department of Social Services.

Regional coordinators across Australia support aged, disability and veterans’ care providers to:

  • expand their care services
  • overcome local workforce challenges
  • gather intelligence on local and national issues to inform future policy.

Rural Locum Assistance Program

Aged care providers can contact the Rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP) to access locums for aged care workers in rural and remote locations.

Aged Care Data Collection

We are collecting data on the aged care workforce to:

  • understand and collaborate with providers and workers
  • inform policy development and evaluation
  • build valued, productive aged care workplaces.

Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia

The Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia conducts research with aged care:

  • workers
  • providers
  • researchers
  • recipients.

ARIIA will translate research into innovative solutions to improve outcomes for the aged care sector.

Sponsoring overseas workers

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement streamlines the recruitment of qualified direct care workers from overseas to work in aged care.

Learn more by visiting the Department of Home Affairs website.

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when local workers are not available.

To find out more visit the PALM scheme website.

The Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) program provides information to businesses to help understand visa pathways for workers.

This program is managed by the Department of Home Affairs. 

Other support for providers

We fund programs and initiatives to support aged care service providers to deliver safe, consistent and quality aged care for older people.

Read about Australian Government support for aged care providers

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