the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

This workforce challenge is not distributed evenly across Australia, with significant differences between regional and urban areas. In response, the Australian Government has supported some innovative workforce projects, the latest a new pilot project in North Queensland, driven by Ageing Australia in collaboration with Good Shepherd Lodge in Mackay.

Aged care providers in places like Mackay experience ongoing workforce shortages, with regional Queensland facing significant challenges due to geographic isolation, limited local workforce availability and the demanding nature of aged care work. At the same time, many unemployed migrants possess valuable skills but face barriers to employment and community integration, including language difficulties, cultural differences and lack of local professional networks.

Ageing Australia’s Aged Care Regional Integration pilot project aims to address this challenge by recruiting and integrating unemployed migrants into the aged care sector. The project is funded under Round 3 of the Queensland Government’s Growing Workforce Participation Fund, which empowers industry to build workforce sustainability and longevity, by supporting job seekers facing disadvantage in the labour market.

Beginning in January this year, the project is facilitating the transition of migrant job seekers into meaningful employment in aged care and contributing to the long-term sustainability of Queensland’s aged care sector. By leveraging Ageing Australia’s established platforms and partnerships with local aged care providers, we are creating a supportive pathway that includes training, mentorship and community integration strategies.

This comprehensive approach is based on research and best practices highlighted in studies such as ‘What do we know about the experiences of migrant care workers in Australia?’ published in Australian Journal of Social Issues in September 2022. Such studies emphasise the importance of community participation, social connections and alignment with life aspirations for the retention of essential workers. The Aged Care Regional Integration project incorporates these insights by focusing on comprehensive support systems, cultural competency training and community integration strategies.

By developing an evidence-based, replicable model through our pilot project, we aim to create systemic change in labour market participation for disadvantaged groups, aligning with the Queensland Government’s Growing Workforce Participation Fund’s objective to provide industry-led solutions to employment shortages and retention challenges in regional areas.

Project partner Good Shepherd Lodge is on board to refine and validate tools and strategies, ensuring they’re effective and scalable for industry-wide adoption. As the largest aged care provider in the Mackay region, Good Shepherd Lodge aims to enhance aged care employers’ ability to create inclusive recruitment and onboarding processes. Additionally, they are integrating recruited workers into their workforce using best-practice frameworks. This collaboration aims to foster retention, support workforce development and promote a welcoming experience for new employees.

Good Shepherd Lodge CEO Tracey Duke says, “At Good Shepherd Lodge, we understand that great care starts with great people and sometimes, those people come from halfway around the world. Through our partnership with Ageing Australia, we’re not only easing workforce pressures but also enriching our team and community with new skills, cultures and perspectives. It’s a win for aged care, and a warm welcome for those ready to make a difference.”

In addition, Ageing Australia’s Workforce Hub is revolutionising support for migrant aged care workers through Regional Care Connect, a tailored online resource currently targeted towards regional Queensland. This platform provides personalised assistance to workers and their families throughout the relocation process, offering expert guidance on employment, housing, education and transportation to facilitate a seamless transition to regional areas.

Through Regional Care Connect, users can access the Employment Gateway, which is a recruitment platform helping to bridge the gap between unemployed migrants and aged care jobs. The Employment Gateway provides a supportive pathway to employment, enabling regional aged care providers to efficiently find qualified migrant workers, simplifying recruitment and cutting costs.

Ageing Australia’s workforce projects in Queensland demonstrate our commitment to strengthening the aged care sector. The Aged Care Regional Integration project addresses several key labour market barriers faced by migrant workers in regional Queensland’s aged care sector. By addressing workforce challenges and improving care quality, this initiative makes a meaningful difference in the lives of older Australians, supporting them to receive the care and support they deserve.