The third half-yearly report on Australia’s aged care sector by the UTS Ageing Research Collaborative (UARC) shows a large proportion of providers are unprepared for the incoming minimum staffing standards.

UARC estimates only 9.8% of residential aged care homes surveyed have enough direct care staff to meet the new 24/7 Registered Nurse requirements and mandatory care minute targets.

UARC estimates an additional 12,520 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers will be needed to meet the standards, including 5,911 RNs.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of surveyed providers reported an operating loss, with more than half now operating at a loss for two consecutive years.

URC predicts that if providers have to rely on overtime or agency workers to fill staffing gaps, they will not be able to cover the costs of pay rises or care minute requirements.

You can read the report in full HERE.