The Federal Government is seeking feedback on a national registration scheme for the approximately 310,000 Personal Care Workers (PCWs) who work in aged care after a similar scheme was removed from Labor Government legislation in 2022.
Personal care workers make up 72% of direct care roles in residential aged care and 90% of direct care roles in home care.
A registration scheme for PCWs was a recommendation of the Royal Commission in Aged Care Quality and Safety, which noted in their Final Report a scheme would "help to professionalise and improve the quality of the personal care workforce".
The Albanese Government removed the mandatory registration of aged care workers from the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022, which was passed by Parliament in August 2022, the first bill passed by the then-new Government.
However, in a commitment to developing a scheme to register PCWs, the 2023-24 Federal Budget included $59.5 million over five years for a National Worker Registration Scheme, including requirements for code of conduct, worker screening, English proficiency, and ongoing training.
The Royal Commission also recommended a registration scheme should make it mandatory for PCWs to hold a mandatory minimum Certificate III qualification. Recent data shows only 48% and 66% of PCWs hold a Certification III qualification, or higher, related to their work.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said, “The Albanese Government is committed to building a skilled aged care workforce to deliver high-quality care for older people, and more development opportunities for workers.
“Noting the significant cross-over in service provision between aged care, disability support and veterans’ care, it is also important to consider how a national scheme could be harmonised across the care and support economy.
“I invite you to have your say on the design of a national registration scheme, including training and mandatory minimum care requirements, to support personal care workers employed in aged care.”
Access the Consultation Paper and take part here.
