workforce
“ You cannot provide quality care if you ’ re not supporting the workforce .
“ The biggest and most concerning thing around this report is that we need more people like that in the sector , we shouldn ’ t have them walking out .”
‘ Ticking time bomb ’
One in five aged care workers could resign due to stress and low wages .
By Eleanor Campbell
One in five aged care staff plan to resign by the end of 2021 , with two in five intending to quit within the next five years , according to a recent survey .
The Perfect Storm report , published by consultancy firm CompliSpace , interviewed over 1000 nurses , enrolled nurses , managers , care workers , cleaners , caterers and support teams working in aged care .
Two-thirds of respondents said that underpayment , high stress and excessive paperwork were major factors behind their desire to exit the sector .
CompliSpace executive David Griffiths said that the survey figures were higher than expected .
“ It ’ s a fairly stark number when you see that 20 per cent are considering leaving in the next 12 months ,” he said .
“ Contrast that with the royal commission finding that for Australia to provide an acceptable level of staffing , we need to add 20 per cent now .
“ It ’ s difficult not to use the phrase that this is a ticking time bomb .”
Western Australia and Queensland were identified as the most at-risk regions of severe staffing shortages .
In Queensland , 54 per cent of earlystage care workers , and 53 per cent in WA , said they were due to leave within three years of starting their careers .
By contrast , NSW had an expected early turnover at 42 per cent , with Victoria slightly above at 43 per cent .
“ This is a sector that we spend 30 billion dollars a year on , while other comparable countries are spending 50 billion ,” Griffith said .
The survey found that 85 per cent of respondents reported a dramatic increase in workload as a direct result of the royal commission and COVID-19 .
Sweeping changes made to regulatory standards and safety and hygiene practices have tripled the amount of paperwork aged care workers are required to fill .
“ It ’ s no surprise that we would see such a level of stress ,” said Griffith .
“ The best employers out there are already doing things to address the additional workload . They are looking at operational efficiencies , and digitising and automating when possible .
“ But that ’ s not addressing the low pay levels in the sector , and that needs to be called out .”
Despite feeling underpaid , overworked and undervalued , two-thirds of aged care workers said they were fulfilled by their choice of career .
Seven in 10 respondents said their relationships with the residents drive them to stay in the sector .
“ What we see here is that this is a sector built around purpose , social connection and ultimately it ’ s a sector built of people who care ,” said Griffith .
“ LOVE DOESN ’ T PAY THE RENT ”: UWU United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said she has heard similar concerns from members in the workplace .
“ We ’ re hearing that a lot of workers are saying that perhaps they won ’ t stay in the industry ,” she said .
“ We talk to workers and they are telling us that almost every day there are shifts that are not filled in their workplace .
“ People had a lot of hope that change would come from the royal commission , but we haven ’ t seen any significant change , and I think that is really upsetting for people .”
In the last federal budget , the government allocated $ 3.9 billion for providers to meet minimum staff time standards , $ 9.8 million to extend the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council ’ s workforce campaign , and $ 135.6 million to encourage nurses to remain in the sector .
According to Smith , there is no room for significant changes until wages are increased .
“ There is no money allocated to the workforce or increasing wages , and we are still waiting to see how they are going to allocate it ,” she said .
“ You cannot provide quality care if you ’ re not supporting the workforce because people will just get up and leave .”
A bid to increase hourly pay rates for aged care staff by up to 25 per cent is currently under review by the Australian Fair Work Commission .
If the case is successful , personal care workers could see their wages rise from $ 23.09 to $ 28.86 per hour .
The review is expected to be finalised in 2022 .
Smith said the government has no other option but to agree to commit to more funding .
“ If we want older Australians to have quality care , we ’ ve got to pay people well enough to stay in the sector ,” she said .
“ People love the sector , they love the work they do , they are really passionate about what they do .
“ But love doesn ’ t pay the rent .” ■
nursingreview . com . au | 27