The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to support the vital aged care workforce who deliver critical care to our loved ones by progressing work to establish a national worker registration scheme in aged care.
This is part of our government's continuing response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for a national worker registration scheme that supports personal care workers in aged care to deliver safer and higher-quality care for every older Australian.
A worker registration scheme will help to strengthen the aged care workforce by boosting professional opportunities for workers and developing their expertise to deliver care and support to older Australians.
From February to April 2025, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing undertook detailed consultation with older Australians, carers, aged care workers, providers and peak bodies on the potential design of the national registration scheme.
Key consultation themes and insights included strong support for:
- a register of personal care workers, using a similar model to other professionalised aged care workforces
- harmonised requirements and systems between personal care and disability support workers
- a clear definition and scope-of-practice of personal care workers in aged care
- education and training opportunities for personal care workers
- the phased rollout of a national registration scheme.
The Government will consider the feedback from the consultation process as we continue to develop our approach to a national registration scheme.
Read the consultation summary report on the Department's website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, the Hon Sam Rae MP
"Personal care workers are at the frontline of the aged care system and deserve to be valued and supported for the important role they perform every day in caring for our loved ones.
"A national registration scheme will help professionalise the personal care workforce and ensure every older Australian receives the world-class care they deserve."
