The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has expressed its disappointment with the findings of the final Productivity Commission (PC) report into aged care, saying that the findings fail to address the systemic problems of the industry.

 

“Whilst the PC report acknowledges there are workforce issues in aged care, it contains no tangible mechanisms on how to close the wages gap for the aged care workforce so residents receive quality care they deserve,” ANF Federal Secretary Lee Thomas said.

 

“It is inconceivable that the PC, after months of public hearings and submissions from nursing staff from the various states, fails to address the $500 million required to close the wages gap for nurses and assistants in nursing (AINs) working in the sector.”

 

The ANF has said the PC’s recommendation of a three to five year implementation timeframe for the formation statutory body to examine wages is too long and will subject health care workers to continued low wages.

 

According to the ANF, the sector needs more than 20,000 extra nursing staff to cope with Australia’s ageing population. The ANF has said an extra $500 million is urgently needed to redress staffing problems, saying the funding would ensure a balance of skills and quality of care.