Albanese Government commits $21.5 million to boost aged care workforce skills

The Albanese Labor Government has announced a $21.5 million investment to support the aged care workforce through a new scholarship program aimed at enhancing the skills and career progression of aged care workers and nurses across Australia.

The Aged Care Nursing Scholarships Program will provide over 1,000 scholarships to support workers in completing formal qualifications, ranging from Certificate III to Masters degrees, as well as specialised training in areas such as clinical leadership, palliative care, dementia care, and infection prevention and control. The initiative is designed to equip aged care professionals with the skills needed to deliver high-quality care that meets the complex needs of older Australians.

A key feature of the program is its commitment to inclusivity, with guaranteed places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care workers and nurses. The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners will administer the program until June 2027, and applications are now open through their website.

Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, highlighted the importance of supporting the workforce to strengthen the aged care sector. “Workers are at the frontline of our Government’s aged care reforms, and giving them the development opportunities they need to build meaningful careers will help us deliver better care to every older Australian,” Mr Rae said.

He noted that the scholarships aim to attract new talent to the sector while enabling existing workers to enhance their skills and provide high-quality care. Mr Rae also pointed to the success of Labor’s reforms, stating that registered nurses are now on-site in aged care facilities more than 99 per cent of the time, with programs like this set to further improve care outcomes.

Leanne Boase, Managing Director of Grants and Scholarship Programs at the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, welcomed the initiative. “We look forward to raising awareness of the roles of aged care workers and nurses, while supporting them to aspire to more advanced clinical roles and career paths to provide more advanced and complex care for older Australians,” Ms Boase said.

She added that such programs not only fund education but also promote career advancement, ultimately leading to improved care for older people.