The Turnbull Government is delivering on its commitment to address the challenges remote aged care providers face as they deliver safe, high-quality care for ageing Australians, with a special meeting held to examine remote aged care services.

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, said the meeting with representatives from remote and very remote aged care providers was a direct result of national consultations by the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce.

“We need a population health approach, one that thinks outside the square and shapes what we need for future years, to build on the existing workforce”

“We are determined to meet this challenge, to deliver the best possible aged care for senior Australians, whether they live in our cities, regional centres or very remote communities.”

Professor John Pollaers, Chair of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce, convened the meeting.

“The Taskforce has heard, loud and clear, that a tailored approach to the aged care workforce is required, especially in remote and very remote locations,” Professor Pollaers said.

“All levels of government, industry and community need to work together to achieve this.

“We have discussed forming an Industry Accord on the remote aged care workforce to inform the Taskforce deliberations and potentially provide a unified voice on remote aged care issues. The accord will detail priorities, desired changes and recommended actions to underpin support for the remote workforce.”

The Turnbull Government established the expert taskforce in November 2017 to develop Australia’s first workforce strategy, focused on supporting safe, quality aged care.

Minister Wyatt said aged care staffing was a top priority, with workforce requirements predicted to increase from around 366,000 currently to almost one million by 2050.

“There are exciting opportunities in what is one of the nation’s fastest growing employment sectors,” Minister Wyatt said. “We want people to realise the growing diversity of aged care careers and how rewarding they can be.

“No matter where older Australians live, it important they can remain as close as possible to their friends, families and the communities they have built their lives around. To help achieve this goal, we must employ and retain highly-qualified aged care workers.

“Ensuring the expansion and professionalism of the aged care workforce is fundamental to the Turnbull Government’s aged care reform agenda and complements our recent announcement of a new and independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.”

The taskforce is due to produce the aged care workforce strategy by the end of June