Aged care ratios: the most important reform. Read our plan on how Australia can implement safe staffing and protect vulnerable residents.

Why do we need Aged Care Ratios*?
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that Australia’s aged care sector is widely understaffed. As a result, many vulnerable residents are neglected and do not receive the care they need or deserve. While there are examples of good aged care providers and many staff, who provide excellent care despite the woeful conditions they work in, the sector has systemically failed older Australians and the wider community who deserve access to safe, quality care.

The Royal Commission found this is largely because there is no national minimum staffing standard so, on average, Australian nursing home residents only receive 180 minutes (3 hours) of care per day including only 36 minutes from registered nurses, well below what’s needed to ensure safe, quality care for every older Australian.

What’s needed for safe, quality care?
Research shows that to guarantee the delivery of safe, quality care, an average of 258 minutes (4.3 hours) of care per day is needed for each nursing home resident. This must include: 77 minutes from registered nurses, 52 minutes from enrolled nurses, and 129 minutes from personal care workers.

The Royal Commission recommended that the Australian Government legislate a minimum staffing standard for nursing homes, commencing from 1 July 2022, requiring at least 200 minutes (3.3 hours) of care per resident per day with 40 minutes from a registered nurse (RN), with a subsequent increase to 215 minutes (3.6 hours) of care per resident per day, with 44 minutes from a RN.

The ANMF agrees with the Royal Commission’s recommendation for a national minimum staffing standard, mandated by law. The ANMF also agrees with the standard’s requirement to commence from 1 July 2022, at 200 minutes (3.3 hours) of care per day, with an uplift to 215 minutes (3.6 hours) of care per day as the first two stages of a five year implementation plan to achieve the minimum staffing level which will guarantee safe, quality care for every nursing home resident, 258 minutes (4.3 hours) of care per day.

What are the benefits of aged care ratios?

1. Safe, quality care for every older Australian living in a nursing home.
2. A positive impact on the overworked aged care workforce by ensuring safe workloads, and the best way to attract and keep staff in the sector.
3. A positive impact on the Australian economy.

How do we get there?

1. We need commitment from all political parties to legislate aged care ratios (minimum staffing levels and hours of care for all nursing home residents) as recommended by the Royal Commission and guarantee safe care for older Australians.
2. We need a phased implementation plan to develop the skills and workforce required to meet the minimum staffing standard and care hours required for safe care.

* 1 Ratios = minimum staffing levels (minutes/hours of care/day/resident) and skills mix (% of care minutes/hours provided by RN/EN/PCW)

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