Allied Health Workforce Shortage in Aged Care Remains Acute, Experts Warn
A peak body of allied health academics has issued a stark warning that Australia urgently needs to train more than 25,000 allied health professionals to address the escalating demand for aged care workers. This dire need stems from the sector’s chronic staffing shortages, highlighted by the 2021 aged care royal commission’s damning report, which exposed systemic flaws leading to substandard care, abuse, and neglect of older Australians.
Despite government efforts to improve the aged care system, Australians in aged care facilities currently receive an average of only eight minutes of allied health care per day, falling far short of the royal commission’s recommended 22 minutes. With the number of Australians eligible for aged care services projected to soar from 4.35 million to 5.65 million in the next decade, the sector desperately needs an influx of new trainees.
Professor Terry Haines, deputy chair of the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences, acknowledges the daunting task of recruiting the required number of staff, given the intense demand, supply constraints, and the time involved in training. “We need to start planning and preparing for this massive task right now, working closely with the government to make it a reality,” Professor Haines emphasizes.
To achieve the recommended 22 minutes of allied health care per day by 2033, Australia would need to train an additional 25,000 allied health professionals, starting immediately, Professor Haines explains. This would necessitate more than tripling the current annual intake of 10,000 allied health trainees and training places.
Professor Haines questions whether even 22 minutes of daily allied health care is sufficient. He suggests that increasing the target to 30 minutes could yield even better outcomes, leading to improved nutrition, better health and well-being, and a reduction in falls and injuries among aged care residents. However, this would require an additional 38,000 allied health professionals over the next decade.
“If the government is unwilling to support this benchmark, they must fund research to determine the level of allied health care in aged care that is adequate to deliver quality care to residents and prevent an undue strain on the broader healthcare system,” Professor Haines asserts.
Despite the federal government’s initiatives to improve aged care outcomes, such as pay increases for carers and mandated staffing levels, the sector continues to experience an exodus of qualified health professionals. Addressing this critical workforce shortage requires a concerted effort from the government, educational institutions, and the healthcare industry to attract, train, and retain allied health professionals, ensuring that older Australians receive the quality care they deserve.