Media Release by The Hon Paul Fletcher MP

Boost to local disability and aged care workforce

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP

The Morrison Government’s $33 million Boosting the Local Care Workforce Program takes a major step forward today with the appointment of its first group of regional and specialist coordinators.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, today welcomed the appointment of 12 of the 35 coordinators who will help increase the disability and aged care workforces.

Mr Fletcher met one of Tasmania’s regional coordinators, Pamela Fairman, today during a visit to Hobart’s Baptist Care.

Mr Fletcher said the initiative demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to a strong and sustainable workforce ahead of the full roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2020.

“The disability care workforce is expected to need to grow by 90,000 full-time equivalent workers within the next five years,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The new coordinators, working across key geographical regions, will help meet growing workforce pressures by building sector capability and linking job seekers to sector employers.” 

“These locally-based coordinators understand the challenges and experiences of providers and participants on the ground—both in the NDIS and in the disability and aged care sectors more broadly,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The coordinators will work with providers to improve their workforce planning, modelling and development capability, including recruitment models.”

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, said this initiative is vital for the aged care sector with up to 980,000 workers needed by 2050.

“We know a proud and professional workforce is the key to quality care,” Minister Wyatt said.

“The coordinators will support providers to expand and integrate their workforce to meet the needs of the aged care sector, reinforcing our comprehensive aged care reforms.”

The first group of coordinators will be based in Hobart, Launceston, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, Mt Gambier, Bunbury, Sydney and the Blue Mountains/Central-West NSW regions.