JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER FOR
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TRAINING
THE HON DR BRENDAN NELSON MP |
MINISTER FOR
AGEING
THE HON JULIE BISHOP MP |
BETTER SKILLS FOR BETTER AGED CARE
11 May 2004 MINBUD 25/04
A new training package of $101.4 million over four years will
ensure older Australians in aged care homes receive high quality
care from well qualified nurses and other aged care staff.
"Through our $2.2 billion Investing in Australia’s Aged Care:
More Places, Better Care package, the Australian Government will
support aged care workers at all levels, providing them with greater
opportunities for professional development and career advancement,"
Ms Bishop said.
Released as the Australian Government’s response to the Review
of Pricing Arrangements in Residential Aged Care, which was
conducted by Professor Warren Hogan, Investing in Australia’s
Aged Care: More Places, Better Care equips the aged care sector
to face the immediate and future challenges posed by Australia’s
ageing population.
"The quality of care and quality of life of older Australians in
residential aged care depend on the availability of skilled and
qualified staff," Ms Bishop said.
"This new package delivers on the Australian Government’s
commitment to ensuring a strong, well trained nursing and care
workforce is in place to deliver quality aged care now and into the
future by increasing the number of nursing staff available;
improving long term staff retention within workplaces; increasing
the uptake of medication management training; and increasing the
basic language and literacy skills within the workplace."
Investing in Australia’s Aged Care: More Places, Better Care
includes:
$33 million for 400
additional undergraduate higher education places in aged care
nursing each year (growing to 1,094 places over four years),
allowing some 1,600 additional students to begin aged care nursing
studies over the next four years;
$56 million for up to
15,750 aged care workers over the next four years to obtain and
upgrade their qualifications, up to Enrolled Nurse level;
$7.5 million for up to
5,250 certificates of attainment in Medication Management for
Enrolled Nurses over the next four years; and
$5.4 million to assist
up to 8000 more aged care workers to improve their literacy and
language skills through the Workplace English Language and
Literacy (WELL) program over the next four years.
The Australian Government will also provide $877.8 million over
four years for a new conditional adjustment payment to aged care
providers, which will help employers of aged care workers pay more
competitive wages to improve care quality, as well as attract and
retain qualified staff.
"This very significant training package recognises the vital role
that aged care staff play in looking after older Australians," said
Dr Nelson.
"It adds to the initiatives that the Government has already put
in place to improve nursing in Australia, including $23 million for
574 additional university places in nursing in regional areas, more
than $50 million in additional funding to assist universities with
the costs associated with the clinical component of nursing courses,
and $47.5 million for aged care nursing scholarships and training
opportunities for aged care workers."
The Australian Government also called on the States and
Territories to fulfil their responsibility to encourage retention of
nurses by improving conditions and offering more flexible
workplaces.
Media contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Ms Bishop’s Office: Rachael Thompson 0417 265 289
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
|
