The Support at Home program, launching on 1 July 2025, will reshape home care by giving consumers more choice and enabling higher levels of clinical care at home. But a crucial question remains: where will Australia find the registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) needed to meet these demands?
Australia’s Aged Care Workforce Crisis
We know the shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) in Australia is severe, and the situation is only worsening. Many aged care providers rely on skilled RN migration. These RN’s must then obtain AHPRA certification (a process that takes time and comes with significant costs).
Why aren’t there enough RNs?
There’s a few reasons for this, including:
- Most RNs prefer hospitals over aged care due to career progression and $$.
- Overseas migration is slow and costly, with complex visa requirements delaying placements.
- Demand is outpacing supply, particularly in residential aged care.
What About Enrolled Nurses (ENs)?
ENs could help bridge the workforce gap, but they are becoming increasingly rare in aged care. Fewer people are choosing to train as ENs, and many aged care providers are struggling to attract or retain them.
This raises a critical issue for home care providers:
The Government is focussed on supporting clients, in their own home, even when their care needs are such that they would be eligible for a residential aged care bed. This is to ensure clients can remain at home. For longer. Even with these higher care needs.
With higher-needs clients requiring clinical care at home, where will the workforce come from?
Workforce Challenges for Home Care Providers
- Increased demand for in-home clinical care as the Support at Home model shifts more complex care into the home.
- Competition from hospitals offering better pay and career pathways.
- Skilled migration delays, making it harder to fill roles quickly.
- A declining EN workforce, reducing an already limited talent pool.
What’s the Staged Implementation Timeline?
These changes aren’t years away, they’re happening soon (in under 3 months!):
From 1 July 2025: Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care transition to Support at Home. Providers must comply with the new Aged Care Act.
From 1 July 2027: The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will be fully integrated.
How Can Providers Secure the Clinical Workforce They Need?
- Act now to secure talent: Waiting will only increase competition. Engaging experienced RNs and ENs early is critical.
- Invest in workforce development: Upskilling current teams and offering clear career pathways can help improve retention.
- Look beyond traditional hiring: Flexible work models and innovative staffing strategies will be key.
- Partner with a specialist recruiter: Aged care providers need a workforce partner who understands the complexity of the sector.
P.J. Recruitment: We are Here to be your Workforce Partner in Support at Home
At P.J. Recruitment, we have a pool of clinical experts ready to step into these roles. Our team specialises in securing high-calibre RNs, ENs, and leadership professionals for the aged care and home care sectors.
If you need experienced clinicians and leaders to future-proof your home care workforce, we can help.
Let’s find the talent you need to thrive in the new Support at Home landscape. Get in touch today
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