The workers are joining Calvary under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, a Commonwealth Government initiative aimed at contributing to the economic development of nine Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste while offering a reliable workforce to Australian employers where there is an unmet demand for labour.

Calvary’s National Director Mission and People, Mark Green, said Calvary had partnered with specialist organisation HealthX to implement a longer-term solution specifically for aged care personal care workers in rural and regional locations.

“In line with Calvary’s mission, the PALM Scheme aids our commitment to delivering stable quality and safe care to our aged care residents in the communities we serve, while also contributing to the upskilling of workers in developing countries,” he said.

“Calvary is continuing to seek creative ways to attract and retain new members of our workforce in response to the ongoing shortages of healthcare workers internationally.”

“A stable workforce will ultimately improve the wellbeing and experience of our aged care residents,” he said.

The PALM workers will initially undertake four weeks of face-to face training at HealthX, before being grouped in sets of three to five workers for placements at a Calvary residential aged care home for a period of four years.

The initial training will give workers a robust foundation in aged care principles, practices and the specific needs of ageing individuals, covering personal care, and understanding and addressing the emotional and physical aspects of ageing.

This will be followed by a four-week orientation, including buddy shifts at Calvary’s residential aged care homes in Albury and Muswellbrook in New South Wales, Lakes Entrance and Mirridong in Victoria, Queensland’s Noosa and Tasmania’s Sandhill in Launceston.

By August, these new Calvary staff members will have completed workplace assessments to be awarded Certificate III accreditation and commence four-year placements at a Calvary residential aged care home.

“Calvary is very excited to welcome our new members of staff and we will provide support as they settle into their new communities and take advantage of this new experience,” said Mr Green.