Have your say on the design of a national registration scheme for personal care workers in aged care

Overview

The Australian Government is seeking views on the design of a national registration scheme to support personal care workers employed in aged care, including new training and skills requirements.

The scheme will support the growth of a strengthened aged care workforce, where personal care workers are better valued for the important role they perform, and with greater professional development opportunities and improved conditions.

It will also play an important role in ensuring aged care is a safe place with appropriate protections for older people.

A consultation paper can be viewed in the related attachments below. This consultation paper has been developed to help you consider key issues and opportunities in the design of a scheme, including new training and skills requirements. We encourage you to read the consultation paper before undertaking the survey or providing a written response to the Department of Health and Aged Care via email.

Why your views matter

The government has committed to implementing a national worker registration scheme in aged care, with new training and skills requirements, for personal care workers employed in aged care.

An important consideration in the requirements and design of the scheme is how a harmonised approach to registration, and training and skills requirements, could be implemented across the care and support economy to support personal care, disability support and veterans’ care workers.

This consultation will help the department understand stakeholders’ current preferences on the implementation of a scheme. Outcomes from this consultation will support future consultation on detailed implementation options and policy development expected in the second half of 2025.

There are two ways to provide feedback to the department:

1. The short online survey below
2. Through a written submission that may be lodged by email no later than 17 April 2025 to: AgedCareWorkforceReform@Health.gov.au.