Registered Nurses (RNs) and aged and disability carers are among the top three occupations with the highest vacancy rate, according to figures from the Federal Government’s 2022 Skills Priority List.
RNs top the list released by the National Skills Commission last week, with an average of 9,266 job ads posted per month from June to August 2022; aged and disability carers rank third at 5,101 job ads per month.
The Skills Priority List figures came less than a week after Federal Minister for Skills Brendan O’Connor released a report that had been shelved by the former Morrison Government, which revealed that a shortfall of around 100,000 workers in aged, disability and mental health care is expected by 2027-28, increasing to 212,000 by 2050.
“In the absence of significant technological advancements, the challenge of diverting a larger proportion of the working age population to the provision of relatively labour-intensive care and support services for the growing older population will be a challenge shared by many nations,” it read.
The Federal Government held a roundtable discussion on the aged care workforce crisis prior to its Jobs and Skills Summit in September; measures subsequently introduced at the Summit included a boost in the skilled migration cap and more TAFE places.
Mable CEO Peter Scutt (pictured) is among aged care executives who have given a thumbs-up to the Government’s efforts.
“We commend the Labor Government for its focus and determination on overhauling the aged care sector, enduring support for the NDIS, and creating secure working opportunities for Australians.
“With NDIS and aged care reforms based on human rights, choice and control and individualised funding, we’ve seen the market for support services change, opening up opportunities for different models,” he said.
