workforce support
Care Friends
Care Source
As an alternative to heavy reliance on job boards and agency, Care Friends is used around Australia in rural & remote settings to supplement staff recruitment.
Care Friends is an employee referral tool used to boost the number and consistency of referral sourced starters in your organisation. It is a major redesign of the strategies and operation of referral programs, delivering meaningful numbers of starters for providers around Australia. Existing staff are an organisation’s best advocates and the most effective pathway into the local labour market. Care Friends makes it easy to access the social, work and family networks of existing staff and provides an opportunity to diversify sourcing strategies.
Please note there are fees associated with this service
How can I engage?
Enquiries can be directed to: info@carefriends.com.au
Brain Hubs
Dementia Australia
If you are impacted by dementia, Dementia Australia’s Brain Hubs can connect you to the information, education and support you need.
The free Brain Hub sessions are available to anyone who wants to learn about dementia, including local residents and health care providers.
Through the information provided and connections formed, the Brain Hubs serve as a gateway to a wide range of Dementia Australia services, giving communities access to long-term, ongoing support and information.
The Brain Hubs are funded by the Federal Government and enable Dementia Australia to reach more people living in regional and remote areas, providing greater equity of access to our services.
How can I engage?
Resources are available from the website:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples & dementia
Dementia Australia
Dementia resources developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
How can I engage?
Resources are available from the website:
https://www.dementia.org.au/dementia-and-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people
Work Placement Visual Learning Resources
Human Services Skills Organisation
These online resources enable users to get on demand access to content which help support students when undertaking mandatory work placement as part of their Certificate III in Individual Support training.
These resources can also be used to help as part of induction for employees with little to know experience in aged care facilities.
Access is free, and offline access is also available for users with limited internet access.
How can I engage?
Employers that are interested can complete an expression of interest form on the HSSO website, which can be found here.
A guide to VET for Human Services Employers
Human Services Skills Organisation
The challenge for building a skilled human services workforce is a pressing one. Designed for employers, the Guide to VET for human services employers contains practical, easy to understand information about the vocational education and training (VET) system and advice on how to build and maximise relationships with training organisations.
Within the guide you will find simple information about vocational education and training, step-by-step instructions for finding training providers that can deliver what you need and how you need it, how you can influence the VET system, useful resources and more.
How can I engage?
The guide is available for direct access and download via the HSSO website.
Human Services Workforce Development Initiatives Portal
Human Services Skills Organisation
The Workforce Development Initiatives portal has been designed to collect valuable information about the sector. The portal is an insightful tool for the Human Services sector that will help inform planning.
The portal is an opportunity for the Human Services sector to work together and share best practice. In 2021 we undertook a research exercise which we called Mapping the Sector. We looked across Australia at programs that existed at a national, state, and local level, regardless of ownership. This information is now available within the portal for employers, training providers and decision makers to access.
How can I engage?
Users can search using the portal which is available on the HSSO website. Users can also add to the portal if they have content that they wish to contribute.
Mandatory Work Placement Guide
Human Services Skills Organisation
The Preparing Students for Work – Certificate III in Individual Support Work Placement Guide has been designed for employers, registered training organisations (RTO) and learners to support and simplify the mandatory workplace requirements (MWR) process for the Certificate III in Individual Support.
Drawing on input from stakeholders across the disability and aged care sectors, it provides practical information and advice in the form of:
- tips
- resources
- templates
- further reading and support
The guide is a useful resource in helping all parties understand their respective roles and responsibilities in implementing the work placement component of the Certificate III in Individual Support, and ensure it works well for all involved.
How can I engage?
The guide, including a policy and research paper is available for download via the HSSO website.
Care and Support Mental Health Resources
Human Services Skills Organisation
The HSSO partnered with Phoenix Australia to develop a series of resources that aim to raise awareness and help support the wellbeing of workers working in aged care.
In addition these resources introduce key concepts of trauma-informed care. This is particularly important because the majority of care recipients accessing residential and home care or disability support will have experienced trauma and have had to manage issues related to loss and grief. Direct trauma exposure, such as occupational violence and aggression is also common in caring and health related industries.
How can I engage?
The resources are available for direct access and download via the HSSO website.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
This program funds aged care services to:
- meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
- allow them to remain close to home and community.
Most of these services are in rural and remote areas.
The NATSIFAC Program offers funding for culturally safe aged care specifically designed for First Nations Elders. This program takes a comprehensive approach by providing a diverse range of services that cater to the unique needs of Indigenous communities. Its central goal is to ensure that First Nations Elders receive care that respects their cultural values and individual requirements.
The NATSIFAC Program has secured additional funding through the 2023-24 Budget. This funding is earmarked to specifically support residential services in extremely remote locations, ensuring that Elders can continue to receive care on their ancestral lands.
The additional funding will also be utilised to assist all services in meeting the new requirements outlined in the transition to the updated Aged Care Act. By doing so, the program aims to ensure that the care provided remains compliant with the latest standards and regulations, thereby guaranteeing the highest quality of service for First Nations Elders.
How can I engage?
Aged care service providers and organisations can apply for funding through grant rounds.
Funding rounds are advertised on Grant Connect. To get automatic emails about new grant listings, register as a Grant Connect user.
Information is also available about the entry pathway into the program.
Any queries can be directed via email to: NATSIFACP@health.gov.au.
Nursing and Allied Health Scholarships
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
The Department of Health and Aged Care funds a range of scholarship opportunities through the Australian College of Nursing including nursing, midwifery, aged care, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships. Preference is given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
These are administered through the Australian College of Nursing.
How can I engage?
You can find more information on the ACN website: https://www.acn.edu.au/scholarships
Rural Locum Assistance Program
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
The Rural Locum Assistance Program is dedicated to supporting aged care facilities in rural and remote areas that face workforce shortages due to sudden departures, annual leave and training needs. The program aims to connect these facilities with suitable locum professionals to fill essential positions, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery across rural and remote Australia. The positions eligible for locum cover include Aged Care Nurses, Allied Health experts, Facility Managers and Aged Care Workers.
The program guarantees that older Australians in need of aged care services in these areas receive consistent, high-quality care with clinical leadership. It also provides a lifeline for facilities experiencing high staff turnover, offering temporary workforce solutions while they recruit permanent team members.
The program manages all aspects of locum recruitment, from travel and accommodation to incentives, without any fees or charges to your aged care service. Your only responsibility is paying regular wages, including penalties, superannuation, and taxes, for the placement period.
How can I engage?
For more information, contact enquiries@rurallap.com.au.
CRANAPlus Bush Support Line
CRANAPlus
The Bush Support Line is a free 24/7, 365-day telephone counselling support line for the rural and remote health workforce and their families.
It is open to all health workers, health discipline stu dents, and their families in rural, remote, and isolated communities, including nurses, midwives, general practitioners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers/Professionals, the allied health workforce and other staff involved in health service delivery.
You can ring 1800 805 391 at any time to speak with a psychologist experienced in the rural and remote sector. When you call, you will receive a non-judgemental, respectful, ethical and culturally safe service.
How can I engage?
By calling 1800 805 391 to access the Bush Support Line.
By subscribing to the service’s weekly Mindful Monday newsletter at crana.org.au/mindfulmonday
By exploring mental health and wellbeing resources tailored to the remote health workforce at crana.org.au/helpful-resources
By arranging a wellbeing workshop for your team by emailing wellbeing@crana.org.au
Aged Care Transition to Practice Program
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
The Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) program provides nurses with mentoring, training, and support at the start of their career in aged care.
The program is delivered nationally by the following suppliers:
- Aged and Community Care Providers Association
- The Australian College of Nursing
The University of Wollongong
How can I engage?
Participants and aged care providers can register their interest through one of the three supplier’s websites:
Home Care Workforce Support Program
NACCHO, Settlement Services Australia, Aged and Community Services Australia, Apprenticeship Careers Australia, Care Community
The Home Care Workforce Support Program is aiming to attract, train and retain 13,000 personal care workers to the aged care sector by 2024.
The Government has provided $91 million in grants to six consortia, with specific funding allocated to assist rural and remote communities to deliver support services to providers.
The program provides services to Home Care Providers to assist with human resourcing, pre-employment support (including facilitating access to training, where required), post-placement support (including mentorship programs) to improve the retention of workers.
How can I engage?
Information on organisation delivering the program in each state or territory, can be found at: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/home-care-workforce-support-program.
Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment to reward clinical skills and leadership
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
Payments for either 6 months or 12 months of employment will be available to registered nurses who work for the same aged care provider over the eligibility periods.
Round 2 Eligibility periods are:
- 1 November 2022 – 31 October 2023 (12 month payment)
- 1 May 2023 – 31 October 2023 (6 month payment)
Registered nurses who work in a rural or remote area (MMM3-7) may also be eligible for an additional payment per year of up to $2,300.
How can I engage?
Funding for Round 1 is closed.
Funding for Round 2 will be advertised on Grant Connect. To get automatic emails about new grant listings, register as a Grant Connect user.
Queries can be directed via email: acrnpayment@health.gov.au
Rural Health Pro
Rural Doctors Network
Rural Health Pro connects people and organisations passionate about keeping rural and remote communities healthy. Rural Health Pro’s digital hub provides information, resources, and training opportunities to support the capability of rural and remote health professionals.
Rural Health Pro enables health sector organisations and peak health bodies to interact through groups and discussions; receive content customised to their profession and interests; learn about career opportunities, training resources and funding opportunities; and attend digital events, all of this from the convenience of your homes and offices or on the go with the new app. It is also free to use.
How can I engage?
It’s free to join Rural Health Pro’s community. Members can connect via discussion groups, participate in online events and access resources, news and scholarships via the Rural Health Pro app or website.