Australia’s aged care and disability support sector is experiencing sustained and growing workforce pressure. Demand for support workers continues to rise as Australia’s population ages, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) matures, and care needs become more complex. At the same time, workforce supply is struggling to keep pace, particularly in frontline support roles.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, more than four in five health and care‑related occupations (82%) were in shortage in 2023, with especially acute gaps in aged care, disability support, and community‑based roles. These shortages are being felt most strongly by employers delivering essential daily support to older Australians and people with disability.

This national challenge sits within a broader global context. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, despite workforce growth in some regions, the world is still projected to face a shortfall of around 10 million health and care workers by 2030, driven by ageing populations, rising demand for long‑term support, and workforce burnout.

For Australian care providers, the challenge is clear. They must attract, prepare, and retain a skilled and reliable workforce while maintaining quality, safety, and person-centred care. Addressing this challenge requires demand-led workforce solutions that focus on readiness and retention. This is where Generation plays a critical role.

The Challenge: Skills Gaps, Turnover, and Workforce Sustainability

One of the most pressing issues facing the care sector is a widening skills and workforce readiness gap. While demand for aged care and disability support workers continues to rise, many employers report difficulty finding candidates who are job-ready and committed to long-term careers in care.

Key challenges include:

• High turnover and burnout
  
  Frontline care roles are physically and emotionally demanding. Without adequate preparation and support, workers are more likely to exit the sector, increasing recruitment costs and disrupting continuity of care. This challenge has been consistently highlighted in workforce analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia.
  
  
• Training pathways that lag behind demand
  
  Traditional education and training systems can be slow to adapt to changing workforce needs, particularly for entry-level aged care and disability support roles. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that while workforce numbers have grown, demand continues to increase faster, especially in care and support services linked to population ageing.
  
  
• Barriers to entry for new workers
  
  Financial constraints, limited access to placements, and lack of industry connections prevent many capable jobseekers from entering the care sector. These barriers disproportionately affect migrants, parents returning to work, First Nations people, and those from regional and disadvantaged communities, as identified in workforce research published by the Australian National University.

How Generation Bridges the Gap

Generation Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that has operated nationally since 2019. Its mission is to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. Generation collaborates closely with employers to strengthen workforce pipelines in sectors facing persistent shortages, including aged care and disability support.

Its model addresses both immediate staffing needs and long-term workforce sustainability.

• Industry‑Aligned Aged Care and Disability Support Programs
  
  Generation’s care-focused employment programs are co-designed with employers to reflect real workplace needs. Programs combine technical training with behavioural and employability skills. These include communication, teamwork, professionalism, and a strong understanding of person-centred support. This integrated approach is outlined in Generation’s programme methodology and impact reporting, available through Generation Australia.
  
  In Australia, these programs prepare learners for roles such as:
  • Aged care workers in residential and home care settings
  • Disability support workers delivering NDIS-funded services
  • Community and support roles aligned with sector demand
    
• Job‑Ready Graduates for Care Providers
  
  A defining feature of Generation’s approach is its focus on job readiness. Learners complete intensive, practical training and receive coaching and mentoring alongside skills development.
  
  Globally, more than 19,000 employers have hired Generation graduates, and 87 percent report they would hire a Generation graduate again, demonstrating strong employer confidence in the model.
  
  For care providers, this means access to candidates who:
  • Are prepared to contribute from their first day in the role
  • Understand workplace expectations and care standards
  • Are motivated to build long-term careers in aged care or disability support

• Retention‑Focused Support for Long‑Term Careers
  
  Retention is a critical issue in the care sector. Generation supports learners beyond initial placement through:
  • Ongoing mentoring and coaching during the transition into work
  • Alumni communities that provide peer support and continued learning
  • A strong focus on resilience, communication, and adaptability

This wraparound support model helps graduates remain engaged in the workforce and supports employers to reduce turnover and build stable care teams over time. Further information on Generation’s long-term impact can be found via the Australian Communities Foundation profile.

Benefits for Aged Care and Disability Support Employers

Employers that partner with Generation gain access to several advantages:

• Reduced recruitment costs through access to pre-trained, job-ready candidates
• Faster onboarding, easing pressure on existing staff
• Improved quality of care, with workers prepared for frontline responsibilities
• Stronger workplace culture, supported by a focus on communication and teamwork

These outcomes directly align with national priorities identified by Jobs and Skills Australia to strengthen and stabilise the care workforce.

Partnering for a Stronger Care Sector

Australia’s aged care and disability support workforce challenges require long-term, scalable solutions. Short-term recruitment alone is not enough to address ongoing shortages or improve retention.

Generation offers a sustainable, demand-led approach that aligns training with employer needs and focuses on job readiness, retention, and career progression. For care providers, partnering with Generation means investing in the future of the care sector and ensuring workforce shortages do not compromise the quality or continuity of support.

At Generation, we are making life-changing careers accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Explore Generation Australia to learn more about current aged care and disability support programs, or consider donating to help create career opportunities for future care workers.