Not For Profit UnitingCare Queensland, one of Australia's largest charities, will lay off about 2% of its workforce, or around 340 employees, due to "proposed structural changes" to ensure the Group's ongoing financial viability in the face of rising costs associated with new funding arrangements and regulations, combined with ongoing skills shortages.

UnitingCare Queensland has more than 17,000 employees, 45 aged care homes (nearly 3,500 beds), and almost 60,000 home care clients.

"The cost of delivering critical services to people in need has increased more quickly than the funding provided to us for the delivery these services," UnitingCare Queensland CEO Craig Barke (pictured) told The SOURCE.

"Some difficult but important measures have to be taken in some areas to maintain services, while being prudent with the resources entrusted to UnitingCare.

“With a strong focus on serving the people of Queensland,  we have confirmed a new organisation structure, and updated key parts of our technology systems.

"We are consulting with our unions who represent impacted groups."

Craig noted that BlueCare’s Customer Service Centre has been involved in talks with the unions and there have been disruptions to those services.

In the year to 30 June 2023, UnitingCare Queensland reported a total net loss of $57,696, compared with a profit of $16,606 in the previous year.

In Queensland, UnitingCare Queensland delivers residential aged care and home care services through BlueCare. It also operates The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital and St Stephen’s Hospital. In the Northern Territory, it delivers community, aged care, disability and mental health services through the Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS).