Gov’t announces 1000 scholarships for aged care workforce

The Albanese government has announced it will provide $21.5 million in scholarships to support the aged care workforce to pursue nursing, and for nurses to advance their careers.

The Aged Care Nursing Scholarships Program, unveiled today, will provide crucial financial support for education and training, ensuring the aged care nursing workforce possesses the skills necessary to meet the increasingly complex needs of the nation’s ageing population.

The program offers more than 1000 scholarships, with guaranteed places specifically reserved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care workers and nurses, in a bid to increase inclusivity and address workforce disparities.

Scholarship recipients can pursue formal nursing qualifications ranging from a Certificate III to a Masters degree, or undertake specialised nursing training in areas such as clinical leadership, palliative care, dementia care, and infection prevention and control, allowing them to progress their careers in aged care.

Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae emphasised the pivotal role of aged care workers in the government’s reform agenda, and highlighted the program’s potential to attract more individuals to the sector and enhance the skills of existing staff, ultimately leading to improved care outcomes for older Australians.

“Workers are at the frontline of our government’s aged care reforms – giving them the development opportunities they need to build meaningful careers will help us deliver better care to every older Australian,” Mr Rae said.

“Thanks to Labor’s reforms, there is now a registered nurse onsite in aged care more than 99 per cent of the time – programs like these will help us deliver even more care for even more older Australians.”

Recognising the diverse and evolving needs of older Australians, the scholarships also support training in specialised areas.

The federal government hopes this targeted approach will equip the workforce with the expertise to provide holistic and person-centred care, addressing a wide range of health and wellbeing needs.

The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) has been selected to deliver the Aged Care Nursing Scholarships Program until June 2027.

Leanne Boase, managing director of grants and scholarship programs at ACNP, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative,

“We look forward to raising awareness of the roles of aged care workers and nurses, while supporting them to aspire to more advanced clinical roles and career paths to provide more advanced and complex care for older Australians,” she said.

“Aged care workers and nurses interested in applying for a scholarship can find more information and submit their applications through the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners website.

This investment represents a significant step forward in strengthening the aged care workforce and ensuring that older Australians receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.”