The Australia Institute Centre for Future Work has published a report presenting the case for an aged care worker registration scheme which includes the requirements for a Certificate III qualification and ongoing training - continuing professional development (CPD).
The recommendations are in line with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's recommendations (recommendations 77 and 78), and are aimed at increasing the status of care workers in order to build a sustainable workforce.
The 2023-24 Federal Budget included $59.5 million over five years for a National Worker Registration Scheme, including requirements for code of conduct, worker screening, English proficiency, and ongoing training.
But the Department of Health and Aged Care has not included minimum education or qualification requirements in the Scheme.
"Foundation skills standards and ongoing professional development requirements are important foundations for professionalising the workforce to increase workers’ skills and status, along with other strategies for improving pay, job quality and working conditions," the report states.
"A national care worker registration and accreditation scheme with a minimum qualification and CPD requirements is necessary to ensure workers are adequately equipped to do their jobs and meet their obligations under existing aged care regulation."
About two-thirds of aged care workers already hold the relevant qualifications, which would reduce the cost of implementing the scheme, the report states.
You can read the report here.
