Human Resources

The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association has been named a Silver Finalist in the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list, highlighting the role of community-based providers in delivering culturally responsive aged care and supporting workforce retention.

New data from Indeed Australia’s Senior Economist Callam Pickering shows healthcare and social assistance drove more than a quarter of Australia’s job growth over five years, but momentum slowed sharply in 2025. What it means for aged care leaders in 2026.

AI is reshaping recruitment across aged care, promising faster hiring and lower costs. But emerging evidence suggests automated hiring systems may be entrenching bias, excluding older workers, people with non-linear careers and diverse backgrounds.

Teens must be seen as a robust resource solution in the aged care worker crunch to come. Already bringing vital energy and perspectives, provider leadership who have hired teens speak of the need to shift recruitment policy to attract and retain this demographic.

A new Work Watch report from Workskil Australia shows rising employment for disadvantaged job seekers, with care and nursing roles leading the way. CEO Nicole Dwyer says targeted training is helping people rebuild their lives and strengthen the care workforce.

Queensland provider BlueCare has announced plans to cut a large portion of its enrolled nurse workforce, citing new care minute regulations and funding models. Unions warn the decision could compromise resident care, while families express concern about continuity and communication. The case highlights the unintended consequences of regulatory change colliding with financial pressures in aged care.

The Albanese Government is investing $21.5M in aged care scholarships to upskill nurses and workers. Over 1,000 scholarships are available, with dedicated places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.

New ABS figures show Australia’s over-85 population will more than double in 25 years, putting regional aged care under severe strain. With sector leaders warning facilities are already cutting capacity due to staff shortages, the workforce cliff is no longer a future problem — it is happening now.

Careless, a powerful new documentary by Sue Thomson, exposes the harsh realities of Australia’s privatised aged care system, where profits often come before people. Click the link below to watch the trailer

In aged care, death is ever-present — yet grief often goes unspoken. Creating space for staff to process loss can strengthen teams and improve care.