Benetas supports CEDA recommendations addressing aged care workforce challenges

Benetas welcomes the three recommendations made by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) to address serious workforce issues facing the aged care sector.

Today’s Duty of Care: Aged-Care Sector Running on Empty report calls for the implementation of a user-pay aged care system with income or asset thresholds, ensuring the long-term viability of the sector.

It highlights the need to address housing shortages, exploring rental assistance options and initiatives that help aged care workers live closer to their workplace, particularly in regional areas.

Finally, it calls for the introduction of an essential skills visa for aged care workers, combined with long-term residency opportunities in order to increase the number of trained aged care staff in Australia.

Benetas CEO Sandra Hills OAM said the CEDA report reinforced the not-for-profit aged care provider’s previous calls for the introduction of a means-tested user-pay structure to improve aged care services in Australia. She said asking customers who can afford it to increase the amount they pay, was a sensible way to address workforce and care issues within the sector.

Ms Hills added that more needed to be done to help aged care workers find suitable living conditions close to their workplaces, particularly in regional areas, to attract more people to the profession.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Benetas converted four unused accommodation units in Bendigo into staff accommodation, which continue to be used today.

“By asking for larger contributions from those who have the financial capability to do so, we will be adding more qualified workers and helping support the growing number of older Victorians who require care,” Ms Hill said.

“As we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was aged care workers who were ensuring the care and safety of a vulnerable section of the community.

“We know that aged care employees in both regional and metropolitan areas of Victoria are finding it difficult to find affordable housing close to their work.

“We need to make it easier for our amazing aged care workforce to be able to carry out the important work that they do by addressing barriers such as the lack of affordable housing that make it hard to attract new workers.”

Ms Hills said Benetas was in favour of an essential skills visa including aged care workers as it would address the lack of staff across the industry.

“We have seen across our industry that some aged care providers have been forced to leave aged care beds empty or simply not take on new home and community care clients due to staffing challenges,” Ms Hills said. “It’s essential that we take a collaborative approach to address these issues to support the future needs of our ageing population.”

CEDA report: ceda.com.au/ResearchAndPolicies/Research/Health-Ageing/Duty-of-care-Aged-care-sector-running-on-empty.