ACCPA welcomes Employment White Paper’s increased migration call

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ 264-page ‘Working Future’ Employment White Paper calls for more secure jobs for aged care workers, improved pathways to migration, and lower barriers for older workers to continue working to address the workforce shortage.

The White Paper builds on the outcomes of last year’s Jobs and Skills Summit and addresses the “big shifts” in the economy that are purportedly underway: the shift to renewable energy, the shift from information technology to artificial intelligence, an older workforce, and growing demand for care and support services.

The White Paper outlines policies to support the aged care workforce.

MIGRATION

“Migrants make up large portions of the care workforce, especially in aged care,” the White Paper states.

“Well-designed migration settings can complement the domestic workforce in the care sector.” (The largest component of care sector workers are personal care workers.)

Aged & Community Care Providers Association CEO Tom Symondson "welcomed” the White Paper’s acknowledgement that “well-targeted migration can complement local skills. We agree that this is an important part of the solution to the challenges that we face.”

EDUCATION

The White Paper outlines plans to fast track the establishment of up to six ‘TAFE Centres of Excellence’ to bring industry and training together, including for aged care.

SKILLS PASSPORT

The Government is also developing a National Skills Passport to connect workers looking for a new job with employers seeking candidates with specific qualifications.

PAY AND CONDITIONS

To improve care staff attraction and retention, “ensuring pay and conditions reflect the value of care and support work is critical”, the White Paper states.

The SOURCE: The share of total employment in the health care and social assistance sector is forecast to be 16.7% in 10 years’ time. Bolstering the care workforce, which includes aged care, should be a national priority.