About the aged care workforce

About the aged care workforce

Australia’s aged care workforce

There are around 456,000 aged care workers in Australia, covering:

For more details about the aged care workforce in Australia, see the results of the Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey 2023 and Aged Care Worker Survey 2024.

Roles and services

Aged care services are delivered by a range of workforce roles.

Direct care roles include:

• nurses
• support staff
• medical practitioners
• personal care workers
• allied health practitioners and assistants.

Non direct care roles include:

• gardeners
• cleaners
• transport drivers
• volunteers.

Regulation and screening requirements

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the national regulator of aged care services.

The Code of Conduct for Aged Care outlines the standards of behaviour for approved providers, their aged care workers, volunteers and governing persons. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for enforcing the code.

Staff and volunteers who work in aged care setting must be eligible to provide care.  Learn about the screening requirements for the aged care workforce.

How we’re helping to grow the workforce

A valued, skilled, and supported workforce will provide safe and high-quality care that will meet the needs and rights of older people in Australia.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report made recommendations to improve the aged care workforce. We have addressed these recommendations in initiatives aimed to:

• build the aged care workforce to meet the demand of an ageing Australian population
• upskill the workforce with training and qualifications to improve care delivery
• support providers to develop workforce management and culture, to prioritise valued, productive and skilled workers
• develop data and evidence to inform investment for us and the sector in evidence-based programs and policies.

The Professional FrameWork illustrates how we are working together to build a valued, skilled and supported workforce to meet the needs and rights of older people. It outlines the key actions we are undertaking to achieve this.