Your Voice is Important: Designing a National Registration Scheme to Support Personal Care Workers in Aged Care

The aged care sector plays a crucial role in supporting older Australians, providing them with care, dignity, and respect. Among the professionals at the forefront of this care are personal care workers, who bring compassion and expertise to their roles every day. However, as the sector continues to evolve and grow, so too does the need for ensuring that workers are adequately trained, supported, and professionally recognised.

That’s why the Northern Collaborative Project (NCP) is excited to host a member consultation session on the “A National Registration Scheme to Support Personal Care Workers Employed in Aged Care”. This session, taking place on Friday 7 March 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:45 am, will offer personal care workers, providers, and stakeholders in the sector a unique opportunity to contribute their voice to the development of this important scheme.

Why is This Consultation Important?

Personal care workers are often the primary providers of hands-on care to older Australians, helping with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and mobility. While their role is critical to the wellbeing of aged care recipients, it is often undervalued. A national registration scheme aims to address this by improving training, professional recognition, and career opportunities for personal care workers.

This consultation session will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders, including CEOs, executive managers, team leaders, coordinators, and anyone working in the aged care sector, to share feedback on the proposed scheme. This feedback will directly inform a written submission that will be submitted to the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of an ongoing sector consultation process.

What Will the National Registration Scheme Achieve?

The proposed registration scheme will be designed with several goals in mind:

  • Safer and higher-quality care for older Australians: The scheme will establish robust training and skill development standards, ensuring personal care workers are equipped to provide the best possible care to elderly clients.

  • Increased opportunities for personal and professional development: The scheme will support the development of workers’ skills, confidence, and knowledge, ultimately enhancing their ability to deliver care and explore career pathways.

  • Greater professionalisation of the workforce: By creating a formal registration system, personal care workers will gain increased professional recognition. This will help attract and retain workers in the sector, while also offering new job roles and career advancement opportunities.

What’s Involved in the Consultation?

During the session, participants will engage with the consultation paper, providing feedback on the design and implementation of the registration scheme. The paper covers key areas such as:

  • The structure of the registration scheme: How will personal care workers be registered and monitored?
  • Training and skill requirements: What new training and skills will be linked to the registration scheme?
  • Career development: How can the registration system create more job opportunities and professional pathways?

By joining the discussion, participants will help shape the future of the aged care workforce and ensure that personal care workers receive the recognition and support they deserve.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday 7 March 2025
  • Time: 9:30 am – 11:45 am
  • Delivery: Online (via Zoom)
  • Cost: Free
  • Target Audience: CEOs, Executive Managers, Managers, Team Leaders, Coordinators, and anyone working in or interested in the aged care sector.

If you’re part of the aged care industry, or simply have a passion for improving the quality of care for older Australians, this consultation is an invaluable opportunity to voice your thoughts and contribute to shaping the future of personal care work.

Registration is free, and participants are encouraged to attend and share their views. Click here to register for the consultation session!

Let’s Make a Difference Together

This is a significant moment in the journey towards better supporting personal care workers in aged care. Your voice matters and your input will directly impact the design of a national registration scheme that promises to improve the sector for years to come. Join us on Friday 7 March to ensure that personal care workers are recognised, respected, and equipped for the challenges ahead.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by speakers and in presentations are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Northern Collaborative Project (NCP). NCP disclaims all liability for actions taken in response to information presented by the speakers.

We look forward to welcoming you to this important consultation session!