Aged care volunteer feedback needed for Royal Commission response

The Australian Government is seeking volunteer workers in the aged care sector, along with those that manage volunteer staff directly or as aged care providers, to share their thoughts on the role that volunteers play.

As part of the Government response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, feedback on volunteer aged care workers will be used to improve future training and support, along with its consistency.

Through the survey, the Department of Health and Aged Care hope to assess the level of involvement that volunteers have, along with the requirements for coordinating and managing volunteers, as they dedicate their time to provide companionship and support.

Additionally, the motivations, training needs and preferences of volunteers, along with their needs and management, will be looked at by the Department, in order to discover successes and challenges.

Volunteering is a rewarding way to contribute to society and offer comfort and care to ageing Australians, with information from this survey helping to improve the number of people providing their kind support.

Retention will also be another point of interest for the Department, ensuring that volunteers feel valued and able to fulfil the duties that they take on in the aged care sector.

Approximately half of the aged care volunteer workforce discontinued their support during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, falling from 23,537 volunteers in 2016 to 11,980 at the end of 2020.

In June 2022, the Government began the Re-engaging Volunteers into Residential Aged Care Facilities Program in order to regain support.

Volunteers provide valuable support and can help with cleaning and laundry, meal and kitchen assistance, transport, tuition, exercise and emotional aid.

The survey can be completed online or over the phone until the May 26 deadline, with accessibility options for translating, interpreting and hearing impairments, in order to facilitate willing participants.

To take part, complete the Health Consultations survey online, over the phone at 1800 318 209, 131 450 for translating and interpreting support or through the National Relay Service at 1800 555 660.

For more information on how you can volunteer in aged care and contribute to the important work that the workforce is doing, please call 1300 404 547 to learn more.

Are you keen to take part and help the next generation of volunteer staff feel welcomed?