AUSTRALIA | The Government has progressed with a national worker registration scheme for aged care workers across the country.
The Albanese Labor Government has continued its support for the vital aged care workforce who deliver critical care to loved ones by progressing work to establish a national worker registration scheme in aged care.
This is part of the government’s continuing response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for a national worker registration scheme that supports personal care workers in aged care to deliver safer and higher-quality care for every older Australian.
A worker registration scheme will help to strengthen the aged care workforce by boosting professional opportunities for workers and developing their expertise to deliver care and support to older Australians.
From February to April 2025, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing undertook detailed consultation with older Australians, carers, aged care workers, providers and peak bodies on the potential design of the national registration scheme.
Key consultation themes and insights included strong support for:
- a register of personal care workers, using a similar model to other professionalised aged care workforces
- harmonised requirements and systems between personal care and disability support workers
- a clear definition and scope-of-practice of personal care workers in aged care
- education and training opportunities for personal care workers
- the phased rollout of a national registration scheme.
The Government will consider the feedback from the consultation process as it continues to develop its approach to a national registration scheme.
“Personal care workers are at the frontline of the aged care system and deserve to be valued and supported for the important role they perform every day in caring for our loved ones,” said Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae.
“A national registration scheme will help professionalise the personal care workforce and ensure every older Australian receives the world-class care they deserve.”
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