A string of regulation changes in July improved conditions for aged care residents, but left many aged care homes short-staffed, under-funded, and struggling to comply.

The newest arrivals in Gilgandra could solve their local problem. 

After months of preparation, sixteen international care workers from the Philippines are trickling into Gilgandra over the coming month, employed by Gilgandra Aged Care and Disability Services. 

“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,” Director of Aged Care and Disability Services Donna Dobson said. 

“Upon their arrival, the registered nursing staff will initiate a bridging program to facilitate their registration for practice in Australia.”

As part of the changes from the Royal Commission into Aged Care, nursing and aged care homes were required to have a registered nurses on site 24/7, which the Department of Health Care predicted would create a shortage of almost 40,000 registered nurses and personal care workers by 2024-25. 

A Visa expansion months prior - allowing aged or disabled carers, personal care assistants and nursing support workers - to gain a Visa has become the potential solution for many communities across Australia. 

In Gilgandra, the sixteen extra staff will also address local shortages in disability care. 

“Some flexibility in staffing within the Disability Services environment will provide required resourcing to meet the clients needs,” Gilgandra Mayor Doug Batten said. 

A welcome arrival

As part of integrating the new workers into Gilgandra, the town is hosting two events to ensure that the transition to the community is as smooth as possible. 

Council is hosting a public Q&A session to provide an overview of the program and discuss what activities will help to integrate the new workers. 

The Q&A will be hosted on 9 October at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre from 5:30pm.

Gilgandra residents are also encouraged to be a part of the Welcoming Committee by contacting the council. 

“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,” Cr Batten said.