Past Agenda
DAY 1 | Wednesday, 11 September 2024
7:45am
Registration
8:50am
Welcome to Country
9:00am
Welcome Address from Aventedge
9:05am
Chairperson's Opening Address
Kasia Bail, Professor of Gerontological Nursing, University of Canberra
AGED CARE UPDATE
9:15am
Departmental Address: Building a highly skilled, well-rewarded and valued aged care workforce
Building better working conditions and higher job satisfaction for aged care workers
Improving training and education in aged care to deliver quality, safe care
Emily Harper, First Assistant Secretary, Market and Workforce Division, Department of Health and Aged Care
9:45am
Enhancing Aged Care with Intelligent Workforce Solutions
Implementing automated scheduling practices to improve resource utilisation and care quality
Using real-time staffing data to optimise workforce deployment and care outcomes
Demonstrating significant improvements in staff retention and satisfaction
Emma Hossack, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Software Industry Association
10:15am
Speed Networking: Engage in rapid-fire conversations to expand your professional contacts
10:40am
Morning Tea & Barista Coffee brought to you by Paywise
INNOVATIONS IN WORKFORCE TECHNOLOGY & AI
11:10am
Interactive Roundtables
A: The Skills Mix BUDDY® workforce strategy to empower staff and advance high-quality care
Michael Bonner, Chief Executive Officer, Choice Aged Care
B: Streamlining Staff Deployment: Strategies for Optimising Compliance and Reducing Agency Costs
Andrew Farmer, Chief Executive Officer, Mirus Australia
C: How can aged care providers harness international recruitment to minimise risks, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of care?
Preparing for the Future: International Recruitment Trends and Opportunities in Aged Care
Examining emerging trends in international recruitment and how they align with the evolving needs of the aged care sector. Offering insights on building strategic partnerships, leveraging technology, and staying ahead in a competitive landscape.
Benefits of Sponsoring Directly vs Labour Hire
Visa options for Aged Care
Enhancing Retention of International Recruits: Building Long-Term Commitment
Taylen Erickson, Founder & Director, Diligent Health
Elizabeth Miller, Workforce Solutions Manager, Diligent Health
12:20pm
Advancing Aged Care: RN Professional Development Strategies for Workforce Leaders
Dr Kasia Bail, Professor of Gerontological Nursing, University of Canberra
12:50pm
Networking Lunch brought to you by vSure
RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES & CHALLENGES
1:50pm
Panel: Navigating the Talent Shortage: Innovations in Recruitment
Creating a compelling Employee Value Proposition to attract skilled workers
Reshaping perceptions: Enhancing the appeal of careers in aged care for graduates, skilled workers, informal workers and volunteers
Unpacking recruitment struggles in remote areas
Education pathways into aged care
Michael Rasheed, Executive People and Culture, Southern Cross Care
Dan Sandiford, Co-founder & CEO, Groworx
Rad Popowicz, Talent Acquisition Manager – Aged Care, The Salvation Army Aged Care
2:40pm
Case Study: How IRT solved its worker shortage with pre trained international nurses and care workers - Lessons learned on how to handle large scale deployments and transform regional towns in the process
Join us in discovering the fascinating journey of how IRT, in their first year, worked with international manpower firm, Groworx Global to;
Pre-train offshore and deploy over 150+ floor ready Filipino nurses and care workers across 18 sites
Work with Government to build concessions and which led to the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA)
Realise slashed agency fees and an enviable worker retention rate over 98% all while creating a sustainable care capability for the communities it serves.
Dan Sandiford, Co-founder & CEO, Groworx
Tania Tsiamis, Senior Leader & General Manager, IRT Group
3:00pm
Attracting and retaining employees in the Aged Care sector: What can we do differently to increase desirability of the sector
What methods can we use to effectively attract new employees to the sector?
How can we encourage retention across the Aged Care sector?
Sharon Blackburn CBE, Executive Director, Ballycara
3:10pm
Afternoon Tea
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
3:40pm
Creating effective succession plans to develop, upskill and retain workers
Creating a psychologically safe and supportive learning and working environment
Encouraging long-term commitment to aged care by showcasing career progression opportunities
How can we effectively reduce time off-floor during training?
Collaborating with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to enhance the skills of workers while ensuring their continued engagement as substantive staff members
Cher Lopresti, Executive Manager People & Culture, ACH Group
4:10pm
Panel: Implementing outcomes from FWC findings and their impact on direct and indirect Aged Care workforces
How will the increase in pay for direct and indirect carers impact the aged care sector?
Mitigating the financial risks associated with an increased staff requirement
Developing workforce strategies to ensure an appropriate distribution of health professionals and care workers in rural, regional, and remote Australia
How can providers use FWC findings to drive positive and effective change within the sector?
Dr Anat Hassner, Chief People and Strategy Officer, Uniting NSW.ACT
Maree Healey, Chief People & Culture Officer, Warrigal
Cameron McPherson, Chief Executive Officer, Medical and Aged Care Group
Tamara Paton, Senior Executive Officer, Vasey RSL Care
5:00pm
Chairperson's Closing Remarks
5:10pm
Networking Drinks
DAY 2 | Thursday, 12 September 2024
WORKFORCE RETENTION & ENGAGEMENT
9:05am
Chairperson's Opening Address
Professor Christopher Poulos, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales
9:15am
Case Study: Building an Aged Care Workforce with Longevity
How can showcasing talent and creating opportunities for growth foster interdepartmental collaboration, enhance staff confidence, and increase staff retention?
Developing staff leadership skills through an inclusive team-based management structure
Highlighting the ongoing impact of an experiential learning program and unpacking key learnings
Stephen Becsi OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Care
Sue Jauncey, Chief of Culture, Apollo Care
9:55am
Case Study: Innovating Aged Care: How Infinite Aged Care Empowers Their Workforce to Meet Evolving Demands
How can Aged Care workforces better cater to the changing needs of Australians in Residential care?
What challenges do providers face in supporting and preparing their workforce for changing demographics?
How can providers use technology to better support staff through ongoing regulatory and policy changes?
Rebecca Pacey, Chief People and Transformation Officer, Infinite Aged Care
10:30am
Morning Tea & Barista Coffee brought to you by Paywise
MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING
11:00am
Panel: Fostering Mental Health and Wellbeing through workload management and stress-reduction strategies – making the Aged Care a sector where people want to come to work
How have the Fair Work Commission Findings impacted the wellbeing and mental health of Aged Care Workers?
Addressing communication, recognition, and inclusive practices to create a supportive workplace
Creating a culture that destigmatises mental health discussions and encourages open dialogue
Moderator: Professor Christopher Poulos, School of Population Health, University of New South Wales
Cara Williams, Head of Safety & Wellbeing, Bolton Clarke
Arianna Mason, General Manager of People, Culture and Strategy, Fresh Hope Communities
Dirk Tulp, Head of People and Culture, CraigCare
12:00pm
Supportive Approaches: Nurturing Staff Well-Being Amidst Death and Trauma in Aged Care
Strategies for cultivating a workplace culture that values empathy, understanding and mutual support
Unpacking the diverse ways individuals cope with traumatic situations
Providing guidance on effective self-care practices for staff and the importance of recognising and addressing one’s own emotional well-being
Stephen Thomas, Chief People Officer, Amana Living
12:40pm
Networking Lunch
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
1:40pm
Sourcing and attracting foreign labour to meet staff shortages
How can sourcing overseas workers help to enhance workforce capabilities?
What are the challenges and considerations needed when sourcing foreign labour?
What are the benefits to a culturally diverse workforce?
Sara Allotta, Group International Sourcing Manager, Bolton Clarke
2:10pm
Panel: Ensuring ethical aged care recruitment in creating diverse and inclusive workforces
What strategies can providers use to address the shortage of workers in the aged care sector while maintaining ethical recruitment standards?
Realising improved CALD care outcomes
Identifying barriers and challenges to diversity and inclusion in the aged care workforce, and mitigating unconscious bias in recruitment, training, and daily interactions
Lucy Murphy, Executive Manager – People, Culture, Quality and Change, Annecto
Gavin Mackey, Executive Manager, First Nations Strategy and Outcomes, Uniting
Dr Rosy Walia GAICD, Chief Executive Officer, Multicultural Care
3:00pm
Embedding Cultural Safety in First Nations Aged Care
The importance of trauma-informed approaches in aged care for First Nations people
Delivering culturally-safe pathways and access to aged care
Fostering open communication and continuous respect of First Nations perspectives
Jarin Baigent, Chief Executive Officer, Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care
Auntie Norma Ingram, Chairperson, Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care
3:30pm
Afternoon Tea
FUTURE WORKFORCE PLANNING
4:00pm
Case Study: Strategic Workforce Expansion: Embracing Innovative Recruitment and Training Solutions in Aged Care
Exploring the role of structured traineeship programmes in developing skilled, committed staff for the future of aged care.
Understanding how labour agreements can be leveraged to attract and retain skilled professionals
Efficient strategies for international recruitment
Jessica Morrissey, National Manager Talent Solutions, Calvary Health Care
4:25pm
Panel: Effective strategies for sourcing talent and building sustainable regional and remote workforces
How can providers encourage rural and remote recruitment and work through effective education and training programs?
How can “fly-in, fly-out” strategies and financial incentives help to minimise costly agency reliance and build committed in-house workforces?
What rostering changes could help to ease staff shortages and provide better compliance with new policies and legislation?
Graeme Sloane, Chief Executive Officer, Adina Care
Robert Peoples, Senior Educator, South West Tafe
5:05pm
Chairperson's Closing Remarks
5:15pm
Close of Forum