What is the Aged Care Education and Training Incentive Programme?

Those working in the aged care industry understand the necessity of ongoing education and training, especially when it comes to ensuring that the highest standard of care is being given to residents.

As the aged care sector continues to expand over the next few decades, a focus on education is only going to become more important, and that's why the Department of Health has gotten involved.

The department's Aged Care Education and Training Incentive Programme (ACETI) provides incentive payments to eligible workers in the aged care sector who partake in specified education and training programs in an effort to encourage this ongoing improvement.

A brief overview

In the 2010-11 budget, the government allocated $59.9 million over a period of four years toward a new national incentive program. This program was designed to assist workers who were willing to further their aged care skills, whether as personal carers or even nurses.

It's not an entirely new idea, as the ACETI builds on the work of previous programs to train workers in the aged care sector, through funding allocated by the Department of Social Services.

Who's eligible?

To receive an incentive payment from the program, workers must meet several criteria. Firstly, workers must either be Australian citizens or permanent residents, and be employed full time, part time or on a casual basis providing direct care (assistance or personal care to aged care recipients).

In addition, a commitment to working within the aged care industry must be assured, and this is accomplished by declaration form

Aged care providers should certainly promote the benefits of the ACETI, as it can result in a highly skilled workforce. There's no denying skilled workers will become a necessity over the next few years as resident numbers swell.