Embracing effective training strategies for the Strengthened Aged Care Standards
Last updated on 10 April 2025
Australia’s aged care sector is under increasing pressure to meet the Strengthened Aged Care Standards. With rising compliance requirements and sector reforms, aged care providers must move beyond tick-box training and embrace effective, flexible education models that genuinely build staff capability and competency.
One proven path forward? Blended learning — the combination of microlearning, spaced repetition and face-to-face training. It’s more cost-effective than traditional training, and it delivers better efficiency and retention outcomes, for both providers and staff.
Forget Me Not® is an award-winning, evidence-based microlearning platform that’s both time-efficient and staff-friendly. It’s also perfectly aligned to the seven Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards that will come into effect from July 1 under the new Aged Care Act.
So not only will it build a confident, compliant workforce, but it reduces training fatigue with flexible, bite-sized learning.
A frontline story of change
In a recent webinar hosted by Obvious Choice, Kate Lamont — an occupational therapist and quality expert from Thrive Aged Care Consultants — reinforced this sentiment.
“Compliance is a minimum — aim for excellence,” she stated.
She recommends involving staff in shaping training content to enhance motivation and ensure practical relevance.
“Empowering Personal Care Workers (PCWs) through critical thinking and practical problem-solving fosters deeper learning and boosts workplace morale,” Kate added.
That philosophy is already being put into action. When Renee Poon, Workforce Capability and Clinical Lead at Eremea Home Care Services, introduced a blended learning approach — combining microlearning lessons with occasional face-to-face sessions — things changed.
By involving staff and recognising their preference for flexible, bite-sized learning, she saw a noticeable shift. Engagement rose. So did compliance rates. Best of all, team morale improved.
“Microlearning, for one, can be done anywhere, anytime and across multiple devices,” Renee said.
“It’s short, focused and targeted, which helps staff concentrate on what they’re learning. With repetition for mastery, you’re not just giving information, you’re building real capability.”
Renee’s blended learning approach has been shortlisted by the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) for Best Use of Technology for Learning — highlighting the impact and innovation behind her team’s success.
This reflects broader worker preferences. In a national dementia care pilot using daily microlearning via mobile app, 91% of aged care staff preferred this format over traditional long-form eLearning modules, citing ease of use and improved confidence on the job (ARIIA, 2023).
Where microlearning fits in blended learning
Speaking at the same webinar, James Stack, Managing Director of Obvious Choice, said, “Short, frequent bursts of training enable staff to learn continuously, significantly improving their ability to retain and apply what they learn.”
This reflects the sector’s growing recognition of microlearning and spaced repetition as essential to effective training.
Unlike traditional eLearning, microlearning is faster, more accessible, and ideal for building foundational knowledge.
Most aged care workers would prefer to do a few minutes of microlearning frequently than the drudgery of completing an hour of eLearning (Forget Me Not®, 2020). It also helps identify individual skill gaps early — allowing targeted, face-to-face training or coaching to follow.
And if staff are going to be taken off the floor, that time needs to be used wisely for hands-on, high-impact skill building that justifies the disruption. Together, this approach supports not just learning, but competency, ensuring staff can perform their roles with both confidence and capability.
Myth-busting digital training
There are some lingering myths that impact the way some people view digital learning, such as:
Myth: Digital training is impersonal.
Reality: When blended with in-person elements and peer discussion, digital training becomes highly interactive and tailored (APS Academy, 2022).
Myth: Staff won’t engage with digital tools.
Reality: They already are. The Forget Me Not® pilot found a strong preference for mobile-first, short-form training that fits seamlessly into busy shifts. (Forget Me Not, 2020).
These perceptions can hold providers back from achieving great success with a sustainable learning culture.
Allyson Warrington, CEO of Community-Based Support, shared her insights into how her organisation embraced digital training in the recent Obvious Choice webinar.
“We implemented a digital playbook alongside face-to-face induction sessions, enhancing flexibility and efficiency,” Allyson said.
She also stressed the role of leadership in embedding a strong learning culture.
“Our leaders actively participate, reinforcing a positive, inclusive learning culture throughout our organisation,” she added.
Why once-and-done training falls short — and what works Instead
Once-off training may tick the compliance box, but it rarely leads to long-term changes on the floor. A blended approach offers a more dynamic, ongoing way to build skills and confidence. Better still, when it’s adaptive and data-driven, it evolves with staff needs.
James Stack emphasised the power of using microlearning data to support and strengthen other channels of learning, creating a more responsive and individualised approach.
“Harnessing data allows providers to become even more targeted with training, ensuring every staff member receives the support they need,” he said.
Blended training doesn’t just help learners, it helps providers improve:
Engagement: Blended learning combines the flexibility of microlearning with the need for face-to-face. Staff stay engaged through variety, relevance, and the ability to learn in ways that suit them.
Efficiency: Shifting theory to a microlearning format frees up in-person time for hands-on skill building — reducing downtime and making every training minute count.
Retention: When training is spaced, supported, and reinforced on the job, it sticks. Staff feel more confident, capable, and supported to grow.
Strengthen your training strategy today
Obvious Choice, through Forget Me Not®, offers a proven microlearning and spaced repetition platform that blends seamlessly with in-person workshops. Backed by research and trusted by leading providers, it’s helping aged care organisations meet the new standards with confidence.
Sources
ASQA (2021). Strategic Review of Online Learning
ARIIA (2023). Dementia Microlearning Pilot Report
PMC (2023). Blended BLS Training Meta-Analysis
PubMed (2022). Blended Communication Training Study
Forget Me Not (2020). ACWIC Pilot Survey
QIE (2023). Vocational Training in Aged Care
APS Academy (2022). Hybrid Learning in the Public Sector