National registration scheme for personal care workers in aged care

Submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care

PCA supports the development of a worker registration scheme for personal care workers in aged care. Consistent with the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission, this will support professionalisation of the personal care workforce and encourage community confidence in the quality of aged care services.

Personal care workers are the single largest workforce group in aged care. They provide direct care that is essential to the health and wellbeing of older people receiving residential and home care.

The new worker registration scheme must:

  • Define a clear professional scope for personal care workers, which recognises their involvement in provision of palliative care and end-of-life care.
  • Set minimum qualifications, namely a relevant Certificate III or equivalent which includes essential palliative care content.
  • Support ongoing professional development, including by leveraging Australian Government investment in quality palliative and end-of-life care training designed with the personal care workforce in mind.
  • Ensure support is provided for personal care workers who face barriers to participation in accredited training, including transitional arrangements for personal care workers with many years’ experience but no formal qualifications.

PCA Submission Aged Care Worker Registration April 2025

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