Along with four people learning under the FRC Traineeship Program, the Pacific Island and Filipino workers have helped relieve workforce shortages in the aged care sector.
Nine workers from the nation of Kiribati (pronounced ‘Kiri-bas’) were recruited by Finley Regional Care in September 2023.
They were recruited as part of the Australian Government’s Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program, a pilot program of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme which allows eligible Australian businesses across a range of sectors to hire workers from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.
Finley Regional Care operations manager Kylie Titlow said the support from the ACE program has restored capacity and confidence at the facility.
“Skilled staff shortages in the aged care sector are dire in rural areas like Finley. The training from the ACE program has provided a solution to meet the increasing demands for qualified staff with adequate experience.
“Funding provided by the ACE program has allowed us to develop our workforce without the added financial pressures. Workforce succession planning is better supported and staff burnout has reduced,” she said.
The ACE program was developed to help regional communities across Australia fill critical workforce shortages where local carers are hard to find.
Under the program, aged care employers receive funding to train PALM scheme workers in Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), which is the Australian standard qualification for aged care.
Five of the Kiribati workers graduated with their new qualifications after completing training in Australia, becoming fully fledged members of Finley Regional Care’s team.
They will remain working in Finley for up to four years, ensuring consistency and continuity of care for residents and allowing the workers to further develop their skills and send income home.
The five workers have been mentored by four other aged care workers from Kiribati who arrived earlier.
These workers will also graduate with the same qualifications later this year.
In November last year, FRC welcomed 15 trainees from the Philippines as part of the Groworx program, with an additional member joining the group in December.
The facility undertook a training agreement with the Philippines government to train this group of workers to the Australian aged care standards and qualifications.
The trainees completed their qualification, supported by Selmar Institute of Education’s on-site educators and assessors.
Each member of the team will be supported to transition to a working visa now that they have become skilled and qualified Personal Support Workers.
The Kiribati workers have been a welcome addition to the existing facility staff and the 77 residents in their care.
“They are caring and compassionate and have added value to both our residents and our staff,” Ms Titlow said.
“Our residents’ families are confident that their loved ones are being provided with the specialised care and support that they need.
“The physical, spiritual and emotional care needs of our residents are being met,” Ms Titlow said.
For the workers, the distance away from their homeland can be challenging but FRC has supported the workers with their adjustment to life in Australia.
One of the Kiribati workers, Joyce Katutu, said the group is grateful for the opportunity to work at Finley Regional Care.
“We are all supported very well and have been given many opportunities to gain new skills and qualifications which allow us to financially support our families back home,” she said.
~ with Anne Freestone
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