Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Tyrrell for the question. The government does not currently mandate that personal-care workers hold a specific qualification type or level. The government does encourage all workers to undertake training to increase their skills, knowledge and confidence to provide safe, high-quality care to older Australians. There is funding available to support aged-care workers to obtain relevant qualifications, including the Certificate III in Individual Support, and aged-care providers are responsible for ensuring that they have a sufficiently skilled and qualified workforce through the quality standards. I can also confirm that government is preparing to commence consultation on the skills and training elements recommended for inclusion in the national worker registration scheme for personal-care workers that was recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.