The Department of Health has released a new consultation paper to inform a future scheme for regulating aged care workers. The stated aims are to improve the quality and safety of aged care, enhance the protection and choice of consumers, protect the rights of workers and minimise the cost to all stakeholders.

The paper follows a number of inquiries and reports, and most recently, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, recommending a screening or registration scheme for aged care workers. This stems from concerns that unsuitable workers can move between providers and care settings, and that critical staff including personal care workers do not always have adequate qualifications or skills.