A letter from the Commonwealth to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) providing “context” about the aged care workforce, reveals Department of Health and Aged Care modelling forecasts the sector is still short of 17,437 workers.
The letter, written by Paul Bermeesch on behalf of the Solicitor for the Commonwealth, says the Government does not wish to argue “for or against” the United Worker Union (UWU)’s claim that understaffing is a factor in the increased work value for aged care workers, but does note that staffing levels are improving.
“There are early indications that the interim wage increases awarded by the Commission, and the other measures being implemented by the Commonwealth ... are having or will have an impact on staffing levels and the intensity of work of aged care workers,” the letter states.
However, modelling conducted by the Department including data from Q4 of 2022-23 (April to June 2023) shows the estimated workforce gap for 2023-24 still stands at 17,437.
In 2022, the Department estimated the 2023-24 gap at 26,670, so while there has been a 9,233 improvement, there remains a significant aged care worker shortage.
Additional aged care workforce measures in 2023 include 500 workers who will be supported under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to complete a Cert III in Individual Support (Ageing).
Since January 2023, there have also been approximately 51,000 enrolments in the fee-free TAFE courses in the care sector, the letter states.
