Extra 3.6 million minutes of direct care recorded

Data collated by the federal government reveals historic levels of care being undertaken in aged care homes.

Since 1 October 2023, residential aged care homes have been required to deliver an average of 200 direct care minutes per resident per day, including 40 minutes of care by a registered nurse.

Data from the first quarter of this new requirement shows that aged care homes delivered an average of 201.93 care minutes per resident per day, including 38.76 by a registered nurse. This represents an increase of 20 total care minutes per day since 2020–21.

This is in addition to meeting the 24/7 nursing requirement, with registered nurses now onsite 98.79% of the time — or 23 hours and 42 minutes per day.

“We promised more carers with more time to care and that’s exactly what we are delivering — an additional 3.6 million additional care minutes every day across the sector,” said Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care.

“I want to thank the incredible people who are delivering the care — our fantastic aged care workers.”

These results mean older Australians in aged care homes have better access than ever to registered nurses, enrolled nurses, personal care workers and assistants in nursing.

Care minutes were recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified that staffing levels are vital to high-quality aged care.

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