Government’s Aged Care Digital Strategy could slash admin time by one-third

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has released the Government’s first Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy, a five-year plan aimed at making better use of aged care data and reducing the administrative burden on staff.

The aim of the Strategy is to deliver the Government’s aged care reforms and implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, in the context of an ageing population, where the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to more than triple in less than 40 years, and a aged care sector workforce already under strain.

The Strategy has four intended outcomes:

1. help older people and their support networks navigate and actively participate in their care and well-being.
2. digitally empower aged care workers, service providers and health professionals to provide higher quality and better-connected care.
3. the sharing and reusing of data to deliver a sustainable and continually improving aged care system.
4. ensuring modern data and digital foundations underpin a collaborative, standards-based care system.

The Strategy estimates that up to one-third of time spent on administrative tasks can be saved by embedding digital technology into operations, increasing the digital capability of the aged care workforce, and introducing new policies on data sharing.

The Government has also released an action plan to demonstrate how the Strategy will be implemented.

“Digital reform is key to delivering the Albanese Government’s aged care agenda,” the Minister said.

“Designing the best aged care system for older people in Australia means embracing innovation and the technologies available so we can continue to restore dignity to aged care.”

The Department’s Action Plan for the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy outlines how aged care providers, workers, researchers, peak bodies and other sector stakeholders will deliver the strategy.

The 2024-25 Federal Budget allocated $1.4 billion to upgrading aged care technology systems.

The strategy is available to download here.