UnitingCare Australia has welcomed the fourteen Strategic Actions announced today by Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt, as part of A Matter of Care: The Aged Care Workforce Strategy.

The actions, which form part of the broader Strategy, aim to support investment in workforce planning, creation of job pathways and career progression, support for leadership across the industry at all levels and strategies to attract and retain skilled workers into the sector.

“Today’s launch of the Strategy represents the culmination of ongoing consultation that UnitingCare Australia and our network has been extensively engaged with to nurture and support our workforce into the future”, said UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Claerwen Little.

“It is crucial that implementation of the Strategy’s actions be accompanied by appropriate resourcing to support our sector to continue to grow at a rapid rate and make the significant contribution that it does to our communities and the economy”, said Ms Little.

The aged care workforce is set to triple in size by 2050, reflective of the growing demand for aged care services as a result of Australia’s ageing population.

“We reaffirm the important work undertaken by staff, volunteers and carers in our sector and the vital contribution they make to our communities and the quality of life of our older citizens”, said Ms Little.

“With our strong presence in rural and remote Australia, we have taken a leading role in shaping the Rural and Remote Accord that forms part of the Strategy, aimed at supporting workforce needs across all communities. We encourage the Government to give particular priority to this area of significant need”.

Ms Little said, “as a major network of aged care providers, our highest priority is to ensure that every older person who needs care can receive it, and that our workforce is supported to deliver high quality services”.