Tuesday, 26 March 2024
    Sector losing 65,000 workers a year
    12
    Jul
    Aged Care,

    Sector losing 65,000 workers a year

    Australia's aged-care sector is short of 35,000 workers, with about 18,000 staff members having left the industry since August, a new report has revealed, 9News notes.

    The report from the Committee for Economic Development of Australia highlights a staffing "crisis" in Australia's aged-care sector, which has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The report has found the sector is likely losing around 65,000 workers each year, with another 8000 workers are desperately needed to meet the international best practice standards of care for aged-care residents.

    However, Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) interim CEO Paul Sadler has said his team believe much more than 800 workers are needed.

    "We believe it could be closer to 20,000," he said.

    "The CEDA report highlights the need for urgent action to ensure older Australians do not miss out on care and support."

    The aged-care workforce was already under significant pressure with staff shortages, low pay and poor working conditions, before the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issues, the report details.

    "For a workforce that was already burnt out prior to COVID-19 this has been the breaking point for many," it reads.

    "Many have chosen to leave the sector."

    A survey by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation earlier this year found one in five workers intended to leave their job in the next year.

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    Australia's aged-care sector losing 65,000 workers every year, report finds (9News)

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