Aged Care Staffing
Aged Care Staffing That Keeps You Compliant and Cared For
The aged care staffing equation has fundamentally changed. From April 2026, the 24/7 Registered Nurse mandate and 215 care-minutes-per-resident-per-day requirement are not guidelines — they're enforceable conditions. A roster gap isn't just an operational headache. It's a compliance event.
Medcare by Caretakers Australia provides Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Personal Care Workers, and Care Managers to residential aged care facilities across Australia. Our nurses are AHPRA-registered, background-checked, and experienced in aged care — not nurses who happen to be available.
What's changed and what it means for your roster
24/7 RN Mandate
Every residential aged care facility must have an on-site Registered Nurse at all times. A vacancy in any overnight shift is a mandatory breach.
215 Care Minutes
All residents must receive 215 minutes of care per day, including 44 minutes from an RN. Shortfalls are reported through the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Programme.
ACQSC Monitoring
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission monitors compliance. Repeated or serious breaches trigger investigations and can result in funding clawbacks or banning orders.
Relying on casual pool and last-minute fill is high-risk. Facilities that maintain relationships with compliant agencies have a buffer that one-off calls to multiple providers can't replicate.
Our approach to aged care placement
Pre-vetted, aged care-experienced nurses only
We don't send general pool nurses to aged care environments. Every RN and EN in our aged care pipeline has:
- Current AHPRA registration (no conditions or restrictions)
- Minimum 12 months aged care or subacute experience
- NDIS Worker Check or equivalent background clearance
- Medication administration competency
- Current CPR and first aid
We learn your facility before we send anyone
Before we place anyone, we understand your bed count, resident dependency levels, shift structure, and any specific clinical programs (dementia care, palliative, etc.). A nurse who is excellent in a hospital ward may not be right for a 60-bed residential facility, and we know the difference.
Ongoing relationship, not one-off fills
We work best with facilities that want a consistent, trusted agency partner — not a different nurse every shift. We aim to build a small pool of nurses who know your facility and your residents over time.
Roles we place
Registered Nurses (RN)
- 24/7 mandate coverage — overnight and weekend specialisation
- Clinical care lead shifts
- Wound care and medication management specialisation
Enrolled Nurses (EN)
- Supervised clinical support roles
- Personal care coordination
Personal Care Workers (PCW / AIN)
- All care-minute categories
- Dementia care and palliative support available on request
Acting Care Manager / Acting DON
- Planned and emergency DON coverage
- Experienced RNs available for temporary leadership roles during recruitment or leave
Accessing a new workforce pipeline
NDIS reform from July 2026 is displacing up to 140,000 disability support workers. Many hold Certificate III qualifications and care experience that transfers directly to aged care PCW and AIN roles. Medcare by Caretakers Australia is developing a structured reskilling and transition programme in partnership with registered training organisations.
If your facility has ongoing PCW demand, contact us about the transition programme — it's an opportunity to build a loyal, facility-committed workforce from a pool that larger agencies haven't targeted yet.
Transparent pricing
Agency / Casual shifts
Hourly rate inclusive of the nurse's pay, superannuation, WorkCover, and our margin. No retainer. No minimum volume. Contact us for current rates by role and shift type.
Permanent placement
12–16% of first-year base salary on placement. No placement, no fee. 90-day replacement guarantee.
Discuss your rostering requirements
Whether you have an immediate vacancy tonight or you're planning for next quarter's roster, contact us now. We respond to aged care enquiries within 4 business hours.
Call 03 9419 4814 or submit below.