Regional Development Australia & Ageing Australia host an Aged Care Workforce Strategy Summit | Karratha

Summit Objective
To collaboratively address critical workforce challenges in aged care—recruitment, retention, training, and wellbeing—and co-design actionable solutions with sector leaders, frontline workers, policymakers, and educators.

Program

Day 1: Understanding Challenges & Setting Priorities
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration & Tea/Coffee
Welcome & Informal meet-and-greet
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
Acknowledgement of Country
Opening – Liz Behjat, WA/NT Manager, Ageing Australia
Summit Objectives
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Keynote Panel – “State of the Aged Care Workforce”
Data and insights on current workforce challenges
Perspectives from policy, provider, and care workers
Moderated Q&A
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning Tea
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Roundtable 1 – Identifying Key Pain Points
Topic areas:
• Workforce Shortages
•Training and Upskilling
•Working Conditions
•Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
•Technology and Efficiency
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Roundtable 2 – Exploring What’s Working
• Case studies from Aged Care Providers
•Innovative workforce models
•International comparisons
•Small-group discussion: “What can we scale or adapt?”
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Afternoon Break
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Visioning Session
•Participants imagine a “thriving aged care workforce in 2030” –
•Collaborative ideation on desired outcomes
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Reflections & Wrap-Up Day 1

Day 2: Co-Designing Solutions & Community Connection
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Arrival & Tea/Coffee
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM: Welcome Back & Recap of Day 1
9:20 AM – 10:30 AM: Roundtable 3 – Co-Designing Solutions
Participants rotate through 3 themed solution stations:
•Workforce Pipeline (education, pathways, migration)
•Workplace Innovation (workforce models, rostering, leadership training & career development)
•Worker Wellbeing (Employee value proposition)
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Morning Break
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Action Lab – “What We Can Do Now”
•Breakouts – implementation plans or pilot projects
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Report-Back & Commitments
•Each team presents a key takeaway, action, or prototype idea
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Government & Sector Response Panel
•Short responses from key stakeholders to the proposals
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Networking Lunch & Close of Workforce Summit
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Seniors Afternoon Tea & Information Session
Theme: “Your Care, Your Community”
Format: Seniors from the community are invited
Afternoon tea included
Session Components:
•Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
•Short presentations (5–10 min each):
“What Services Are Available in Your Area”
“How to Access Allied Health and Home Support”
“Planning for the Future – Advanced Care Planning
ELDAC – End of Life Directions in Aged Care

To register please contact: Tony Simpson (RDA Pilbara) on 0427 191 272 or Liz Behjat (Aging Australia) on 0419 510 166