Overcoming staff shortages at Lutheran Aged Care Albury: A pathway to stability

2022 was the worst year I have seen for staff shortages, and it was really quite frightening here in the region, because it was just impossible to fill rosters. A terrible consequence of this was that the staff who were committed were rapidly burning out and there was attrition of some of these as well, with no hope of replacing them. Aged Care has always suffered from high turnover of staff and scarcity of suitable staff, but this was something else. In our organisation, Managers, Unit Managers, Registered Nurses (RNs), Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and care staff were all working horrendous hours, not to forget our ancillary staff. I will not easily forget the stress on Managers faces as they grappled with rosters.

Lutheran Aged Care Albury (and I know a lot of other providers) had no choice but to fill vacancies with agency staff, many of whom were fly in – fly out contract staff at exorbitant costs that were unsustainable. Recognising the need for a long-term solution, LACA made a strategic decision that has since transformed our workforce stability—partnering with a migration recruitment group to sponsor skilled aged care workers from the Philippines and Nepal. This move, while financially significant, has yielded exceptional results.

Now, long after Lutheran Aged Care Albury (LACA) made the decision to partner with a migration recruitment group to sponsor aged care workers from the Philippines and Nepal, it is satisfying to reflect that there is no agency expenditure, overtime is not being worked, and the rosters are able to support the care of our residents. In addition, 7 of the sponsored workers are fast tracking their Registered Nurse Australian registration and will be available for the LACA rosters as RN’s in late January 2025.

All of the sponsored workers have now progressed to the next visa (482) on which they have been able to bring their family to their new home in Albury and we are welcoming them as they arrive currently. They have also completed (almost) their 12 months in rental housing under tenancy agreements that LACA entered into on their behalf and are successfully seeking properties or extending their lease in their own right.

The arrival of these new workers has also had a significant, positive impact on the Albury community. By welcoming skilled professionals and their families from the Philippines and Nepal, the town has experienced a renewed sense of vibrancy and diversity. Local businesses have benefited from increased patronage, with many of the new residents participating in community life—enrolling their children in local schools, supporting local services, and becoming active members of churches and social groups. This influx of people has brought fresh perspectives and skills, enriching the cultural fabric of Albury and creating stronger ties between LACA and the broader community. Their presence has helped not only our organization but has contributed to the town’s growth and inclusivity, creating a lasting bond between these new families and their new home.

The financial investment has not been easy and has been considerable, but the business case did stack up and we have already saved some of what was spent on agency staff, by having a qualified, regular, committed workforce.

We are thankful for the blessing this has been and continues to be.