Managers of Aged Care Residential Services in Australia 2006-2021: Transformation reform

Objectives: This article provides analyses of the number and characteristics of managers of aged care residential services in relation to number of aged people, residents of aged care facilities and people employed in them. Design: The research design follows specifications provided by the authors for tabulations prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from the censuses of population conducted by ABS in 2006 and 2021. Analyses undertaken by the authors show changes that have taken place in the number of managers of aged care residential facilities in relation to the number of aged people, residents of aged care facilities, and people employed in them. Further, the analyses examine changes in the demographic characteristics of managers, their working hours and income, over time. Findings: There was a substantial decline in the proportion of the growing number of people aged 70 years and over who lived in aged care residential services during the 15-year period. While there was a large increase in the number of employees and managers per resident, and a slight increase in the number of managers per employee. The proportion of female managers fell, and the average age of managers increased slightly. The proportion of managers at graduate level rose substantially. Although the average income of aged care residential services managers was similar to that in all industries in 2021, their increase was larger than in all industries during the 15-year period. Average hours worked remained similar over time. The proportion of Australia-born managers declined while that of managers born in Asia rose substantially, and the proportion of indigenous managers about doubled during the 15-year period. Implications: Relevance to those concerned with the evolving transformation of aged care in Australia and those interested with management training of the growing number of managers of aged care residential services.