Aged care workers are fleeing the sector in droves, a new report has warned, with estimates that 65,000 are leaving every year.
The Duty of Care: Aged Care sector in crisis report by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) has found that the annual worker shortfall this year has doubled to around 35,000 due to the impact of COVID-19.
According to Interim CEO Paul Sadler of the aged care peak body, Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), the situation may in fact be even more dire than the report suggests.
“CEDA says an additional 8,000 workers are needed to meet the new mandated minimum minutes of care for each resident in care; we believe it could be closer to 20,000. The new Federal Government will have difficulty achieving its aged care policy priorities of Registered Nurses in aged care homes 24/7 and minimum care minutes without immediate action.
“The pandemic has taken its toll on the aged care sector with thousands of staff leaving or planning to leave due to low pay, burnout or simply finding better job opportunities. The CEDA report highlights the need for urgent action to ensure older Australians do not miss out on care and support,” he said.
ACCPA has put forward a range of options to shore up the workforce, including:
- Higher pay so that casual and part-time staff work more hours;
- Ensuring aged care facilities are better staffed;
- Improving working conditions with access to child care;
- Supporting professional development of the personal carer role;
- Improved training and staff development; and
- Greater skilled migration.
Here’s hoping that the shortage can be turned around – for the sake of every older Australian.
