Strengthening Connections in Aged Care – Highlights from the Ageing Australia Conference Victoria

The Ageing Australia Conference Victoria took place from June 3rd to 5th at the Pullman Conference Centre in Albert Park, Melbourne, bringing together over 600 aged care professionals, sector leaders, and service providers. As the largest industry event of its kind in Victoria, it offered valuable insights into the future of aged care, key reforms, and collaboration opportunities.

This year’s event was especially significant for Domain Recruitment, marking our first public industry appearance as we introduced our services and new workforce support platform to the aged care sector.

Our Mission at the Conference

At the core of our participation was a threefold mission:

• Introduce Domain Recruitment to the aged care community.
• Launch our innovative workforce platform – the DR JRP, designed to streamline recruitment and training.
• Establish strategic connections with aged care providers seeking qualified staff, including sourcing talent from Sri Lanka.

Our presence was met with enthusiasm and curiosity, reinforcing the growing demand for sustainable staffing solutions across the sector.

Aged Care Reform: Key Announcements & Industry Impacts

A central theme of the conference was the upcoming Aged Care Act, originally planned for July 1st, 2025, but now postponed to November 1st, 2025. This legislation introduces a sweeping reform agenda aimed at delivering rights-based, person-centred care.

Key Features of the New Aged Care Framework:

1. Statement of Rights for Older Australians
   Ensuring dignity, privacy, safety, and the right to complain and access advocacy.
2. Simplified Access
   A Single Assessment System to streamline service entry.
3. Support at Home Program
   A unified, flexible program replacing current in-home care offerings.
4. Fairer Financial Contributions
   • Income-based service fees for non-medical services.
   • Lifetime cost cap increased from $80,000 to $130,000 (medical care remains free).
5. Enhanced Regulatory Oversight
   Stronger powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
6. Whistleblower Protection
   Strengthened safeguards for reporting misconduct.

These reforms aim to make aged care more accessible, equitable, and transparent—placing older Australians’ rights at the forefront.

Demographic Insights & Industry Data

The conference highlighted both the urgent challenges and long-term opportunities in the sector:

• 1 in 5 Victorians is over 60, falling within the aged care demographic.
• As of June 30, 2024, Victoria has:
  • 737 residential aged care homes:
    • 171 Public Sector (mainly rural/regional)
    • 612 Private Facilities:
      • 284 Not-for-Profit
      • 328 For-Profit
• Nationally, the aged population (65+) is projected to grow from 4.3 million in 2024 to 6.66 million by 2041, driven by the baby boomer generation.

Demand Forecasts:

• Estimated 40,000 additional beds required by 2030, rising to 370,000 by 2040.
• Dementia care will see one of the highest increases in service demand.
• The sector has recorded $5 billion in financial losses over the past five years.

Investment Outlook:

• Each aged care facility costs $500,000+ to establish, raising questions about financial viability.
• The conference emphasized “investability”, signaling a shift towards retirement living as a more appealing investment model.

Domain Recruitment’s Conference Engagement

During the event, Domain Recruitment:

• Engaged with multiple exhibitors to explore collaboration opportunities.
• Promoted the DR JRP platform as a strategic staffing solution for aged care providers.
• Initiated discussions on workforce planning, particularly with providers interested in recruiting internationally trained staff.

This event also set the stage for our upcoming participation in the Ageing Australia Conference Queensland, as we continue building our national presence and commitment to workforce solutions in aged care.

A Shared Message: “Purpose Over Process”

The conference left participants with a powerful message: “Purpose over process.” It was a call to remember why we serve – to support, care for, and empower older Australians. By focusing on connection, creativity, and care quality, the aged care sector is poised to evolve into a more responsive and people-first industry.

Domain Recruitment is proud to be part of this journey, offering scalable workforce solutions and building stronger partnerships for a better aged care future.