Australia’s aged care sector is facing a perfect storm. Regulatory reforms are reshaping the landscape, workforce pressures persist, and providers are being asked to deliver more with fewer resources. But while the challenges are real, so too is the opportunity—if we’re willing to rethink how we define and unlock capacity.
The Workforce Challenge
The numbers are stark. According to the OECD and the Global Coalition on Aging, the aged care workforce must grow by 60% by 2040 to maintain current care ratios.
That’s a massive ask in a sector already grappling with high turnover, changing funding structures and increasing regulatory complexity.
And it’s not just about headcount. Many providers struggle with inefficient processes, outdated systems, and layers of manual workarounds that have built up over time. These inefficiencies—that we call “noise”—hide in plain sight, quietly draining up to 40% of staff effort. (source. XeP3 and the University of Melbourne 1)
What We Mean by “Unlocking Capacity”
Unlocking capacity isn’t about squeezing more out of already stretched teams. It’s about finding and freeing up the time, energy, and resources in low-value work.
In aged care, this might mean:
- Reducing duplication across systems and roles
- Streamlining workflows to cut down on admin.
- Giving staff better training, tools, and more transparent processes.
- Reallocating effort toward direct care and client support
When done well, this approach can lead to measurable improvements: more time spent with clients, lower cost per billable hour, and the ability to serve more people without increasing workforce size.
A Holistic Approach to Change
During our presentation at the recent Aged Care Week conference, our message was clear: unlocking capacity in your existing workforce is essential for operational efficiency, improved experiences for older people, and ensuring providers’ ongoing adaptability into the future. Capacity is not just a staffing issue— it’s an organisational issue, and solving it requires transformation across many dimensions.
That means:
- Uncovering and quantifying inefficiencies across the entire care journey
- Optimising processes for value, not just compliance
- Engaging staff in the process from the start
- Embedding improvements through leadership, training, and governance
This is where IQ Life comes in.
Introducing IQ Life
IQ Life is a new consulting arm of IQ Group, launched to help aged care and health providers confidently navigate transformation. It was born from a simple idea: to support the organisations that help Australians to have a whole-of-life, dignified retirement.
IQ Life brings over 25 years of experience in superannuation, regulation, and digital transformation. Now, that expertise is being applied to the aged care sector, helping providers manage complexity, meet new regulations, and improve their work.
What makes IQ Life different is its whole-of-retirement perspective, which considers four key pillars: Health, Wealth, Home, and Good Guidance. This means helping organisations not just deliver care but support the full retirement journey—from financial well-being to having appropriate home arrangements to suit stage of life. Health needs are well managed, and decision-making is well supported for every stage.
What IQ Life Offers
IQ Life provides practical, scalable services to help providers:
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Prepare for regulatory change (like the new Aged Care Act)
- Use technology in ways that make life easier, not harder.
- Build strategies that are realistic, affordable, and sustainable.
Whether you’re a large provider or a smaller, community-based organisation, IQ Life’s services are designed to meet you where you are.
Why Now?
The Aged Care Act 2024, which will take effect in November 2025, will bring significant changes. Providers will need to demonstrate not just compliance, but capability. Unlocking capacity—by reducing inefficiencies and supporting staff—is a key part of being ready.
And with demand for aged care services expected to double by 2050, the sector can’t afford to wait. The time to act is now.
A Final Thought
The aged care workforce is full of dedicated, compassionate people. They deserve systems that support them—not slow them down. By removing the noise, streamlining work, and giving staff the necessary tools, we can unlock the capacity to care for more people more effectively.
IQ Life is here to help. With deep experience, practical tools, and a clear focus on what works, we’re assisting providers to turn vision into reality—one step at a time.
1.This data is established through the research and benchmarked data of the XeP3 method and toolset in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Bevington Partners.
Get in touch with us via social media or at www.iq-life.com.au.
Deborah is an accomplished executive and board director with many years of executive experience as well as non-executive director experience in health sector not-for-profit organisations. As Chief Strategy Officer at IQ Life, she brings more than 25 years of corporate leadership across consulting, operations, and sales—including as CEO of an ASX-listed company. Deborah advises clients in aged care, health, emergency services, and financial services, with a focus on people and technology enabled transformation that enhances customer and employee experience and operational excellence. Her cross-sector expertise and commitment to purpose-driven innovation underpin her strategic approach to building future-ready organisations.
