Addressing Australia’s aged care workforce shortage with hands-on training

A groundbreaking nursing initiative, designed to prepare students for careers in aged care, has expanded to Kingaroy in Queensland’s South Burnett region. The Transition to Practice Program, a collaboration between the University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and Lutheran Services, is placing final-year Bachelor of Nursing students in regional facilities to address Australia’s growing demand for skilled aged care professionals.

Launched as a pilot in 2022 at Gympie’s Cooinda Aged Care, the program has already seen 63 nursing graduates complete their final placements, with over 50% securing roles as registered nurses at Lutheran Services’ facilities. In 2025, the program is scaling up, with 28 students participating across five of Lutheran Services’ 11 aged care sites, marking its largest cohort yet. By year’s end, the initiative expects to have facilitated over 90 placements since its inception.

The program stands out for its intensive two-month training, which equips students with specialised skills in dementia care, fall prevention, and palliative care. Guided by experienced geriatric nurses and UniSC clinical facilitators, students like Chirady Alquizar and Ivy Li, currently placed at Orana Aged Care in Kingaroy, are gaining hands-on experience. “Working with residents has shown me how fulfilling aged care can be,” said Ms Alquizar, a Kilcoy local.

Lutheran Services regional manager Stephanie Wilson highlighted the program’s impact. “This initiative is transforming aged care nursing into a recognised career path with opportunities for managing complex health conditions and supporting mental health holistically,” she said.

The expansion to Kingaroy reflects a commitment to addressing workforce shortages in rural areas, where aged care needs are acute.

Australia’s aged care sector faces significant challenges, with a 2023 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare noting that the country’s ageing population (4.4 million people over 65 in 2022, projected to reach 6.9 million by 2042) is driving demand for skilled workers.

The sector currently employs around 280,000 workers, but a shortfall of 110,000 staff is projected by 2030 without intervention. Programs like this one are critical to closing this gap, particularly in regional areas where access to healthcare professionals is limited.

Ms Wilson said the program is also shifting outdated views of aged care nursing.

“It’s no longer seen as a career endpoint but a vibrant field offering professional growth,” she noted. With Lutheran Services marking its 90th year of aged care delivery in Queensland, the organisation is eyeing further expansion of the program to other sites across the state.Students and residents alike are reaping the benefits.

Kingaroy resident Sue Lucas, who has interacted with the student nurses, praised their compassion and skill. “It’s wonderful to see young people so dedicated to caring for us,” she said.