Private operator Bupa, which has 59 aged care homes around Australia and more than 5,000 residents, has told The SOURCE it is turning away residents in regional areas because it cannot find enough staff.

“In regional Australia, we continue to experience significant workforce pressures, and as a result, we are seeing homes in regional centres declining new residents,” a Bupa spokesperson told us.

Staffing problems are being compounded by housing shortages. Northern NSW in particular has a shortage of housing, due to the recent floods.

The aged care bed shortage in regional Australia means older people are increasingly remaining in hospital, with the number of patients in NSW regional hospitals awaiting discharge to residential aged care increasing three-fold since January 2022.

To attract staff, Bupa is offering accommodation assistance in regional areas and transfers from metropolitan areas.

From 1 July, Bupa will also give regional full-time team members and their families access to Bupa health insurance.

Bupa is lobbying the Government for a dedicated aged care visa, as recommended by the Productivity Commission, and to adjust pension and superannuation levers to encourage people to have a second career in aged care, as New Zealand has done.