Direct employment only for aged care workers was thrown under the bus this week by the Productivity Commission report into aged care employment. It sided with gig employment digital sites led by Mable and Five Good Friends against the traditional aged care employers.

The brief to the Commission:

“This study’s main task is to examine employment models in aged care, and the effects that policies and procedures to preference the direct employment of aged care workers would have on the sector.”

In its summary, the Commission said increasingly customers and workers preferred independent contractors:

“The use of independent contractors in home care — often through digital care platforms that connect workers directly with consumers — is growing from a very small base as more older Australians express a preference to self‑manage their government‑funded care package.

“Many platform workers highly value the flexibility, autonomy and the potential for higher pay associated with independent contracting — all of which add to their job satisfaction and help keep them in the sector.

“There is a role for platforms as part of the solution for the future of work in aged care.”

The average hourly income rate across Mable and Five Good Friends is close to $35, say $30 after admin charges. It can be negotiated higher if the client really values the worker – with no shifts etc.

Experienced aged care staff like the client recognition that they are doing a very good job, as well as the stability of the relationship with the client – and the freedom. They are likely to continue to shift over to gig employment.

And as Mable points out, 50% of its 11,000 odd registered workers are new to the sector. They are growing the pool – and the clients are appreciative, with Five Good Friends stating on its website that it has a customer NPS rating of 60+.

As they say, the numbers speak for themselves.