Reflecting on a Year Like No Other in Aged Care

What a year it’s been in the Aged Care sector. I’m certainly not the first to say that none of us could have predicted how 2020 has played out. It’s been a year that’s presented many challenges and heartache. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my reflections as I look back on a year that’s been like no other.


The key challenges we’ve faced over the past 12 months have been up-skilling new team members and protecting the safety of our team, while successfully allocating nursing staff to 95% of nursing shifts in areas that were impacted by bush fires earlier in the year and then COVID-19. 


During the period of the fires, our team were asked to head to Bateman’s Bay and Dalmeny to lend their support. At one of the local nursing homes the fire got to the back door of the facility. Another nursing home was evacuated into the one we were assisting. Staff were dealing with lots of issues, including no power, no phones and lots of emotions. Some of our staff were there for up to four days. 

How the Health Staffing Team Managed 2020’s Challenges

Chelsea joined us in March and was promoted to Head of Allocations in May. She and the team adapted very quickly to delivering our services in a home office environment that required new ways of communicating with each other and new protocols, systems and procedures to protect the safety of our staff, clients and their patients. As demand for our staffing has increased throughout the year, Chelsea has continued to play a key leadership role, and is now Health Staffing's Business Manager.


At the same time, our nursing staff had to decide whether they were prepared to work in the front line during COVID-19. The commitment we saw from so many of our staff was a credit to them, ensuring that shifts were filled and facilities were able to continue to provide the level of care required during this difficult period.

 

An essential part of how we have managed these challenges since December is providing our dedicated staff with our Employee Assistance Program, We also provided the promise for those in the frontline that they would still be paid if they were exposed to COVID-19 and had to self isolate. This was before this was a mandatory requirement by the government.


We remained committed to supporting the local community during the fires by organising a donation drive for non perishable items for those impacted by the fires, with a drop off point being at our office in Nowra. 

To ensure team morale remained high at a difficult time, we celebrated International Women's Day, and all of the women in the head office at Nowra had the opportunity to come to work in their own style. This meant not wearing uniforms, providing the opportunity to express individuality with our clothing that day. A lovely lunch was a highlight of the day!

Our Response to COVID-19

Staff are regularly reminded of the importance of washing their hands and using PPE during each shift. We continue to work closely with clients to protect their residents within each facility. At the start of the pandemic, if staff had travelled overseas recently they were not sent out on a shift for 16 days after returning to Australia. 


The team have been incredible and everyone has remained positive.

 

We adapted our business model in terms of service delivery and went through a facelift with new marketing strategies being rolled, and increased our marketing communication via a monthly email newsletter, starting in January, at the height of the bush fires. If you’d like to receive our monthly updates, please sign up here.


We also sponsored ACSA’s NSW Financing Tomorrow’s Aged Care Sector Symposium, a 3 day virtual conference at the start of June. 

When COVID-19 hit we were required to adapt our business model and move our staff from the office to working from home. Due to an investment in laptops and the tenacity of both Chelsea and Shay, the office team were able to time this transition in a way that had no disruption to our service delivery. As a result of their commitment to clients and our nursing staff during this period, we have seen an increase in loyalty from our clients and an increase in request for shifts, with as many as 31 shifts being placed in a day at the start of July. 

Please follow our company page here on LinkedIn.


Resilience was a Key Factor in Navigating 2020


In February 2020 NPAworldwide (a global recruitment network) asked its members around the globe to nominate other members who have done outstanding things for the community. I was very proud to be nominated by several Australian members as having done a wonderful job providing community support during the recent bush res.


There was a seamless transition from the office to working from home and we were able to deliver the same high level of customer service, including the allocation of as many shifts as possible in as little time as possible in a completely new, and unusual work environment versus the normal and established office set up. 


To support the teams continued growth at this difficult time we invested in professional development including: 


  • Pearl Mentoring Program with the RSCA (Recruitment Industry peak body) Recruitment Pathways Program with Career Lasso
  • HR Traineeship with TAFE NSW
  • Social Media training with Think Bespoke

I was thrilled when Health Staffing was recognised as a Finalist for Resilience in Business in the Illawarra Business Awards 2020.



Thank you to my family, my hard working team and all of our clients for your ongoing support in 2020. From our family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and joyful 2021.

More Than a House: How Supported Independent Living Creates a Place to Thrive

July 28, 2026
For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections.  Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.

NDIS Reform : What Support Workers Need to Know

June 29, 2026
Change Is Coming — But What Does It Really Mean? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to evolve, and 2026 marks another important stage in its reform journey. With discussions around funding, eligibility, provider regulation, and service quality making headlines, it's understandable that many support workers are wondering how these changes will affect their day-to-day roles. The good news? While reforms may influence how services are delivered and managed, the heart of disability support remains the same: providing high-quality, person-centred care. Here's a closer look at the key changes and what they could mean for you. One of the major areas of reform is ensuring that NDIS funding is directed to participants who meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and receive supports that are considered "reasonable and necessary." The aim is to create greater consistency in decision-making while ensuring participants receive the supports they genuinely need. For support workers, this may result in more structured support plans, clearer participant goals, and a greater emphasis on documenting how supports help individuals achieve their outcomes. Planning That Prioritises Outcomes The NDIS is moving towards planning models that place greater importance on participant outcomes rather than simply allocating hours of support. Future plans are expected to become more streamlined, with clearer budgets and stronger links between supports and participant goals. As a support worker, this means your role extends beyond delivering care. Your observations, communication, and progress notes will become increasingly valuable in demonstrating how your support contributes to a participant's independence and quality of life. Stronger Standards for Providers The government is also strengthening provider regulation to improve safety, quality, and consistency across the disability sector. These changes include increased compliance requirements, enhanced safeguarding measures, and ongoing improvements to provider registration processes. For workers, this may mean more comprehensive onboarding, regular training, updated policies, and greater accountability in everyday practice. While this can feel like additional administration, the overall goal is to improve outcomes for participants and raise standards across the industry. Increased Accountability Across the Sector Another focus of the reforms is ensuring that NDIS funding is used appropriately and transparently. Providers are expected to maintain accurate records, demonstrate value for money, and clearly show how supports align with participant goals. As a result, support workers may notice a greater emphasis on completing shift notes, documenting progress, and maintaining high standards of communication with participants, families, and care teams. These records are no longer simply administrative tasks—they help demonstrate the quality and impact of the support being delivered. Despite the reforms, one thing remains constant: Australia continues to need compassionate, skilled, and dedicated disability support workers. As demand for disability services continues to grow, organisations are looking for professionals who communicate well, adapt to change, and genuinely care about improving the lives of others. Technology, policies, and funding models may evolve, but empathy, professionalism, and quality care will always remain at the centre of disability support. Looking Ahead The NDIS reforms are designed to strengthen the scheme, improve participant outcomes, and build greater confidence across the sector. For support workers, staying informed, embracing ongoing learning, and maintaining high standards of care will ensure you're well positioned for the future. While change can seem daunting, it also presents an opportunity to continue growing as a professional and delivering an even greater impact for the people who rely on your support every day. Further Reading For the latest information on NDIS reforms, visit: NDIS Review Final Report: https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/resources/final-report National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): https://www.ndis.gov.au NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters More Than Ever

By Health Staff Australia • June 1, 2026
World Environment Day | 5 June When we think about healthcare, our minds naturally go to patient care, medical innovation, and improving lives. Sustainability is not always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet increasingly, the two are becoming impossible to separate. As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June , it’s a moment to reflect on how deeply connected environmental health and human health really are. From hospitals and aged care facilities to clinics and community health services, the way we design, power, and run healthcare systems has a real impact on the world around us. The Link We Can’t Ignore Healthcare professionals are often the first to see how environmental issues translate into real patient outcomes. Poor air quality, heatwaves, pollution, and climate-related illnesses are no longer distant concerns — they are becoming part of everyday clinical reality. At the same time, healthcare itself is a resource-heavy sector. It exists to save lives, but in doing so it relies on energy, water, single-use materials, and complex supply chains that all contribute to its environmental footprint. This creates an important challenge: how do we continue delivering high-quality care while reducing harm to the environment that ultimately supports human health? More Than an Environmental Issue Sustainability in healthcare is not just about emissions or waste reduction. It also touches the human side of healthcare delivery. The environments healthcare workers operate in matter. Lighting, air quality, space design, and even access to nature or green elements can influence stress levels, fatigue, and overall wellbeing. In a sector already facing workforce shortages and burnout pressures, this becomes even more important. Sustainable design and smarter systems don’t replace clinical care — they support the people delivering it. A Shift Already Happening in Australia Across Australia, healthcare providers are beginning to rethink how facilities operate. There is growing investment in energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy sources, improved waste management systems, and more responsible procurement practices. While change is gradual, the direction is clear: sustainability is becoming part of long-term healthcare planning rather than an optional extra.