Omari Gates
Australia is facing a shortage of aged care workers, with a projected deficit of at least 110,000 direct care workers within the next decade. This shortage has serious implications for the quality of care and access to services for older Australians. The aged care workforce in Australia comprises an estimated 549,000 staff, with around 414,000 in direct care roles such as nursing and personal care, and the remaining in ancillary and administrative positions. While the demand for aged care is increasing, providers face challenges in attracting and retaining staff due to issues such as undervalued work, insecure employment, and low wages.
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What You'll Learn
Aged care worker shortage in Australia
Australia is currently facing a significant shortage of aged care workers, with a projected deficit of at least 110,000 direct aged-care workers within the next decade. This shortage is already impacting the quality of care for older Australians and putting pressure on the country's health system. The aged care workforce in Australia comprises various roles, including personal care workers, nurses, managers, administrative professionals, and allied health professionals. According to the 2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey, there were approximately 549,000 people employed across these roles, with 414,000 in direct care positions such as nurses, personal care workers, and allied health professionals. However, this number falls short of meeting the demand for aged care services in the country.
Several factors contribute to the aged care worker shortage in Australia. One key issue is the undervaluing of the profession, leading to difficulties in attracting and retaining workers. Jobs in aged care are often insecure, part-time, and poorly paid, dominated by women, and individuals from non-English-speaking backgrounds. The work is demanding and often undervalued, making it challenging to attract and retain staff. Additionally, there is a lack of standardized training and registration requirements for front-line aged care staff, impacting the overall quality of care.
The Australian government has recognized the need to strengthen the aged care workforce and has made efforts to address the issue. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has made recommendations to improve the workforce, including initiatives to build the workforce to meet the demand, upskill workers through training and qualifications, and support providers in developing a positive workforce culture. Additionally, organizations like CEDA have made recommendations such as improving wages and working conditions, enhancing training programs, attracting high-quality migrant workers, and investing in technology to reduce administrative burdens on staff.
The aging population in Australia further exacerbates the need for aged care workers. By 2031, nearly 20% of the population is expected to be aged over 65, up from 16% currently. This demographic shift will result in a rapid increase in the demand for aged care services. To meet this demand, Australia will require a significant increase in the number of aged care workers, improved working conditions, and better support for the existing workforce.
The aged care worker shortage in Australia has serious consequences for older Australians and their families. It impacts the quality of care, increases the risk of neglect, malnutrition, and avoidable hospital admissions, and affects residential care occupancy rates. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including increased funding, improved wages and working conditions, standardized training, and attracting a larger workforce to meet the growing demand for aged care services in Australia.
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Aged care worker roles
Aged care workers in Australia play a crucial and multifaceted role in supporting the elderly population's health and well-being. The primary responsibility of these workers is to provide direct care and assistance with daily living to senior citizens. This includes helping with personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, while upholding the dignity and privacy of the individuals in their care. Aged care workers also assist with mobility, including transferring residents from bed to chair and helping them walk. They are often confidants, offering emotional support, companionship, and social interaction, which are essential for creating a nurturing environment.
The aged care workforce in Australia is diverse, with various roles that contribute to the overall well-being of seniors. These roles include personal care workers, nurses (including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nurse practitioners), and allied health professionals. Personal care workers make up the majority of the direct aged care workforce, followed by registered nurses and allied health professionals. These workers may be employed in permanent, casual, or fixed-term contract positions, and their work settings can vary between residential care facilities and community or home care services.
While aged care work can be challenging, it is also rewarding and essential. Aged care workers develop close relationships with residents, treating them with the same level of love and respect as they would their own family. They play an integral role in supporting the health of their clients and the success of their employers, as the quality of their service directly impacts client satisfaction.
Aged care workers in Australia face some challenges, including understaffing and difficulties in attracting and retaining workers due to issues such as undervaluation of the profession and insecure employment. However, the demand for aged care services is expected to increase as Australia's population ages, and initiatives are being implemented to address workforce shortages and improve the quality of care.
To become an aged care worker in Australia, individuals can pursue entry-level positions that do not always require formal qualifications. However, certain roles and organisations may require specific certifications or further training, such as a Certificate IV in Ageing Support for supervisory roles. Additionally, aged care workers must undergo screening checks to ensure they meet the standards and criteria set by the Aged Care Act of 1997 and the Code of Conduct for Aged Care.
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Aged care worker demographics
Australia's aged care workforce is facing a critical shortage of staff, with a projected shortfall of 110,000 workers in the next decade. This crisis is due to several factors, including the undervaluing of the profession, poor wages and working conditions, and the lack of minimum standards or registration requirements for front-line staff. The federal government's emphasis on cost constraint has also contributed to the issue. As a result, aged care providers are struggling to attract staff, and the quality of care for older Australians is at risk.
The aged care workforce in Australia is predominantly female, with around 83% of workers in residential aged care services identifying as female according to the 2021 ABS Census. However, it is important to note that males tend to be younger, with 55% under the age of 45, while females tend to be older, with 50% aged 45 and above. The majority of the workforce is also made up of personal care workers, including assistants in nursing and formal traineeships, followed by registered nurses and allied health professionals.
Geographically, the majority of aged care workers are located in New South Wales (31%), Victoria (24%), and Queensland (21%). These states also have the highest number of people accessing permanent residential aged care services. The aged care workforce includes both direct care workers, such as nurses and personal care workers, and ancillary staff, such as administrative, management, and support roles. Of the direct care workers, 58% are employed in permanent positions, with 85% of those being part-time.
The aged care sector is facing significant challenges, including staffing shortages and the need to improve wages and working conditions to attract and retain staff. With the aging population in Australia, the demand for aged care services is only expected to increase, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues.
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Aged care worker employment status
Aged care workers in Australia can be employed in permanent positions (full-time or part-time), casual or fixed-term contract positions, or indirectly (via agency/labour hire, subcontractor, independent contractor, or other employment arrangements).
According to the 2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey, there were an estimated 549,000 people employed across five service care types in Australia. Of these, an estimated 414,000 (75%) were direct care workers, including nurses, personal care workers, and allied health professionals. The remaining 25% were employed in ancillary positions such as administrative, management, and other roles.
The survey also found that an estimated 242,000 (58%) of direct care workers were employed in permanent positions, with 206,000 (85%) of these being part-time roles. However, it is important to note that these counts are estimates and may overstate the size of the workforce as some staff may work for multiple providers or across different service care types.
The aged care workforce in Australia is facing a significant shortage of workers, with providers struggling to find staff. This has led to a crisis in the industry, impacting the quality and access to services for older people. The shortage is projected to worsen, with the number of people aged 80 and over expected to double by 2050, and the current workforce being insufficient to meet the growing demand.
To address the shortage, various recommendations have been put forward, including improving wages and working conditions, attracting more people into training, and developing new migration paths to attract high-quality migrant workers.
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Aged care worker pay and conditions
Australia's aged care workforce is estimated to include around 549,000 people, with 414,000 of these workers in direct care roles. The majority of direct care workers are employed in residential care services, with home care and home support services making up the rest.
The aged care industry in Australia is facing a crisis, with providers struggling to find staff. This has resulted in a risk to the quality and accessibility of services for older people. The issue is further exacerbated by the rapidly ageing population, with the number of people aged 80 and over projected to double by 2050.
Aged care worker salaries in Australia have been increasing due to demand and recent reforms. However, despite pay increases, it is still difficult to attract and retain workers due to the undervalued nature of the work. The industry is dominated by women, with many workers from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Aged care worker pay rates are influenced by multiple factors, including qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and the specific role. For example, general workers under the Aged Care Award received a 3% increase in pay rates in 2025. Additionally, night shifts and overtime are often paid at higher rates.
The average annual salary for an aged care worker in Australia in 2023 was $62,353, according to talent.com. Entry-level positions, such as an Aged Care Employee (ACE) Level 1, offer a weekly wage of around $1,047.60. With experience and qualifications, salaries can increase substantially. For example, a Level 3 Aged Care Employee (ACE 2) can earn $31.32 per hour, and an aged care nurse can earn between $80,000 and $90,000 annually.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey, there are around 549,000 aged care workers in Australia. However, it is important to note that this number includes all staff, with only about 75% being direct care workers.
The aged care workforce in Australia includes a variety of roles such as personal care workers, nurses (including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nurse practitioners), allied health professionals, administrative staff, managers, and ancillary care workers.
The aged care sector in Australia faces several challenges, including staffing shortages, difficulty in attracting and retaining workers, inadequate wages and working conditions, and a lack of standardised training and qualifications for front-line staff. These issues have led to concerns about the quality of care and access to services for older Australians.
