Following months of preparation, Gilgandra Shire Council has welcomed 16 international care workers from the Philippines to Gilgandra and the community has welcomed the new arrivals with open arms.

Across Australia, the aged care industry is in crisis with low staff numbers causing facilities to close.

Regional hospitals are also affected by the closure of aged-care facilities as they take on the overflow of elderly clients.

International immigration organisation, Groworx has helped with the immigration process to allow the Shire address the workforce shortages within Gilgandra Aged Care and Disability Services.

“We’re excited to welcome the new Filipino workers to Gilgandra and the community," Director Aged Care and Disability Services, Donna Dobson said. "They are a mix of overseas trained registered nurses and care workers whom have completed a certificate III in Aged Care with an Australian training organisation.” 

Ms Dobson said that now they have arrived, the registered nursing staff will initiate a bridging program to facilitate their registration for practice in Australia.

The Gilgandra community have embraced these international workers, with community groups including the Country Women's Association, Lions Club and youth groups all donating and volunteering to welcome the workers to their new lives in the bush. The Gilgandra Lions Club provided a welcome barbecue at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre which many locals attended.

Gilgandra Mayor, Doug Batten said that Council is fully supportive of this venture.

“Council understands the need for additional staff to supplement the existing workforce and has communicated this to the residents of Coo-ee Lodge Hostel and their families with a very positive response. Council is expecting that the workers will be made to feel welcome into the community and is hopeful that they will become long term residents of Gilgandra,” he said.

Additional staff will enable Coo-ee Lodge to meet the minimum staffing requirements as prescribed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care. Recent government requirements state all aged-care homes are required to provide 200 minutes of direct care a day per resident, including 40 minutes of nursing care.

However, the worker shortage has meant homes are operating under capacity, with some as low as 50 per cent occupied.

"Flexibility in staffing within the Disability Services environment will provide required resourcing to meet the clients' needs,” Mr Batten said.

Council looks forward to welcoming the Gilgandra’s newest residents to the region and engaging with businesses and the community throughout the process.