An aged care provider has taken a step towards overcoming an industry-wide labour shortage with a new agreement giving priority access to migrant workers.
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Curtin Heritage Living in Perth on Monday became the first aged care provider in Australia to sign a memorandum of understanding with the federal government and unions to secure priority visa processing for skilled staff.
Migrant workers included in the scheme will in turn receive a fast-tracked, two-year pathway to permanent residency.
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the agreement will streamline the employment and visa process for overseas workers.
"Older people in Australia need a skilled, diverse and valued workforce so they can receive safe, high-quality care," she said.
New legislation requires aged care facilities to provide around-the-clock nursing from July 1, in line with the findings of a royal commission into the sector.
There has been concern not all aged care providers would be able to meet the target, especially in regional areas with staff shortages.
The new agreement is part of a broader $36b spend by the federal government to help the sector meet the new requirements, including $11.3b to fund a 15 per cent pay rise for workers.
Curtin Heritage Living managing director David Cox said the agreement is a win for the business, its workforce and the entire industry.
"This agreement is a positive step toward addressing a critical shortage of skilled workers and will hopefully offer some relief to other aged care service providers," he said.
The agreement with the United Workers Union will cover 570 staff across five years.
The union's national director of aged care Carolyn Smith called the measure an important step towards addressing the sector's workforce issues and is hopeful the scheme will prevent visa workers being exploited with low pay and too much work.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the agreement was important not only for bringing more workers into the sector, but to provide them with more workplace protections.
"We've all been struck by the aged care royal commission report, the neglect that was identified, and a big part of solving that is about valuing our workforce," he told ABC TV's Afternoon Briefing.
Opposition aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston welcomed the agreement, but lashed the government for taking a piecemeal approach to tackling a "serious workforce crisis" of its own making.
Ms Wells on Monday also announced extra funding to improve the quality of food served in residential aged care homes.
The $12.9m cash boost will set up a food unit in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and a new hotline for residents to lodge complaints.
As part of the plan, independent dietitians will conduct up to 500 menu and mealtime assessments to help providers deliver nutritionally balanced meals.
Australian Associated Press
