Government Should Open Immigration Channels for the Aged Care Industry: Report

You name a health care proxy in a living will. Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock

Australia’s shortage of aged care workers has doubled to 35,000 in less than a year, according to a new report, which recommends that the government attracts overseas immigrants into the industry.

The ‘Duty of Care: Aged Care Sector in Crisis’ report released by The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) on June 28 shows that government inaction and the challenges posed by the pandemic have worsened the staff shortage crisis in the aged care industry.

“If workforce shortages at this level continue, we will not have enough workers to meet the basic standards of care recommended by the Royal Commission,” CEDA Senior Economist Cassandra Winzar said in a statement.

“Miniscule levels of migration and increased levels of attrition in the sector, estimated to be around 65,000 workers a year, have exacerbated existing shortages.”

The Albanese government has pledged to staff residential aged care with round-the-clock registered nurses and increase mandated care time, but Winzar believes those promises will be difficult to meet without a turnaround in workforce numbers.

The report recommends that the government include the personal care sector in the temporary or permanent skilled-migration lists or introduce a new “essential skills” visa.

In addition, it suggests the government to develop low-cost retraining options for those returning to the industry to boost skills and attract workers.

‘Breaking Point for Many’

The aged care industry, which was already facing a shortage of staff before COVID-19, has become even worse under the impact of the pandemic.

“Aged care has been at the centre of many COVID-19 outbreaks, resulting in even more difficult working conditions and staff themselves becoming sick,” Winzar said.

“For a workforce that was already burnt out prior to COVID-19, this has been the breaking point for many. During a time where unemployment is low, many have chosen to leave the sector.”

The report also found that the sector is likely to lose about 65,000 workers annually, with another 8000 workers needing to improve their services to meet international standards.

However, Paul Sadler, interim CEO of the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), believes much more than the number is needed.

“We believe it could be closer to 20,000,” he told Nine News.

Hospitals in Australia are also facing staff shortage, with Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrew hoping to recruit skilled migrants from overseas to tackle his state’s hospital staffing crisis.

A survey by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in March 2022 found that one in five workers planned to leave their position within the next 12 months, and nearly two in five planned to leave their job within 1-5 years.