Regional Workforce Program
Shape the future of aged care in Far North Queensland
Ageing Australia is collaborating with Jobs Queensland and industry partners to gain insights into the aged care workforce in Far North Queensland, with the goal of developing a workforce plan tailored to the unique needs of the aged care sector in the region.
JQ’s Grow Your Own Regional Workforce program, in partnership with Ageing Australia, works alongside industry and regional stakeholders to co-design workforce plans and initiatives that support local workforce development and cross-sector skills growth.
Why focus on Far North Queensland?
- critical aged care staff shortages
- rising demand due to ageing population
- increased need from chronic disease, disability, and
- urgent need for a workforce plan.
About the program
It was important to develop a workforce plan that reflected the needs of the industry within Far North Queensland. To achieve this, we sought to draw on the insights and experiences of key employers and industry representatives across the region.
We aimed to hear first-hand from stakeholders in Far North Queensland to gain a deeper understanding of the workforce opportunities and challenges they had experienced. We were also interested in learning from stakeholders across Queensland about approaches and programs that had proven valuable in their regions.
New Workforce Planning Resources for Regional Aged Care Providers
If you’re an aged care provider in regional or remote Queensland, new free tools are available to support your workforce planning:
Workforce Planning Connect Toolkit
Jobs Queensland, in collaboration with Ageing Australia, has developed this Workforce Planning Toolkit for aged care providers in Queensland.
It is designed to help Queensland aged care providers to:
- understand the benefits and advantages of workforce planning
- build knowledge and understanding of workforce planning
- grow capability and skills in workforce planning.
The toolkit provides practical tips and tools on how to develop and implement a workforce plan for your organisation so you are better positioned to respond to your workforce needs, now and into the future. It can be used by people who have never undertaken workforce planning before, as well as those who may have done some workforce planning previously.
Workforce Planning Connect Workbook
The Queensland workforce is changing. Aged care reforms, regulatory shifts, funding pressures, cost of living, workforce shortages, and digital transformation are creating both challenges and opportunities.
These factors may affect your client base, increase competition, and impact your workforce needs — making workforce planning essential to prepare and adapt.
Jobs Queensland, in collaboration with Ageing Australia, has developed this Workforce Planning Connect workbook to help aged care providers step through the key stages involved in workforce planning and develop a workforce plan that meets their organisation’s needs.
E-Scan
This regional and industry environmental scan aims to provide demographic information, a profile of the aged care sector industry and related education and training needs.
The report provides an evidence base for the development of a workforce plan with practical, actionable recommendations designed to enhance the aged care workforce in Far North Queensland.
Workforce Development Plan
The Far North Queensland Aged Care Industry Workforce Development Plan sets out targeted actions to address current and future workforce gaps.
By focusing on training pathways, recruitment initiatives and retention strategies, the plan seeks to build a sustainable, skilled workforce that can deliver high-quality care and meet the evolving needs of the region’s ageing population.
The Grow Your Own Regional Workforce Program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government through Jobs Queensland.
