Experienced carers seen as key to compliance, better care
Share
Australia’s aged care providers are being urged to expand the skills of their experienced carers in response to new requirements introduced by the Aged Care Bill. With stricter regulations set to take effect in July 2025, training experts say that prioritising professional development and leadership pathways is essential to retaining valued staff and delivering high-quality care.
Plenty Training points to ongoing workforce challenges as a sign that investing in seasoned carers can help address staffing shortages. Operations Manager Ashleigh Ridley highlights the benefits: “As aged-care providers work to meet the growing demands of the sector, investing in the skills and expertise of their long-term and senior staff is key. Empowering experienced carers with the ability to mentor and train new staff not only ensures that company policies and safety standards are upheld, but also guarantees that our senior population receives the consistency and high-quality care they deserve.”
According to Ridley, calls for skilled internal trainers and mentors are increasing: “Every day we are getting enquiries from workers within the aged-care and disability sectors who are recognising the need for internal trainers. These workers are now looking at upskilling themselves, but we are also encouraging their employers to recognise the immense talent they already have within their workforce.”
Workforce shortages within the aged care sector persist despite regulatory pressures. Between April and June 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care reported that 9,000 staff left the field, leaving providers struggling to onboard new recruits quickly. This exodus adds to systemic issues revealed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which included inadequate staffing levels and substandard care.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has responded with a more rigorous supervision model, which Commissioner Janet Anderson says will tailor oversight based on providers’ risk profiles, ensuring high-risk facilities receive greater scrutiny.
Plenty Training encourages aged care facilities to use nationally recognised courses, such as the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (train the trainer), to promote mentorship roles among their senior employees. Ridley emphasises the advantages:
“We’ve seen time and time again that when organisations invest in their team members, they’re able to keep key staff, reduce overall turnover, and deliver better outcomes for their clients.”
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
