Aged care experts say government underestimates number of nurses required for 24-hour support

The aged care sector says the federal government has underestimated the number of registered nurses required to fulfil a key election promise of providing 24-hour coverage to all aged care homes.

The aged care minister, Anika Wells, said government modelling showed that 869 additional registered nurses were needed to meet election commitments of increasing the number of care minutes that residents receive and mandating a registered nurse in all facilities on a 24-hour basis by July 2023.

The ACCPA has called for exemptions from the 24/7 requirement for some facilities in rural and regional areas, citing concerns over their ability to attract staff.

Unions that represent aged care workers said they believed that about 1,000 additional nurses would be needed.

Sadler said it was vital any potential penalties around not meeting the 24/7 nursing requirement did not lead to the closure of aged care homes in rural and regional areas, and said limited exemptions would be necessary.