As HumanAbility undertakes its nationwide roadshow, the AHANA eagerly anticipates the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, educators, and specialists. This initiative by HumanAbility, the Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for community services and support industries, including aged care, disability services, mental health, and allied health assistance, represents a pivotal moment for the allied health sector. AHANA is prepared to contribute valuable insights to ensure that workforce training and qualifications are effectively aligned with the evolving needs of the industry. 

AHANA's feedback focuses on the key issues and opportunities within the workforce and training landscape for Allied Health Assistants (AHAs), specifically addressing the adequacy of current qualifications in meeting sector demands. 

1. Review of Key Qualifications 

• Implementation Review of Aged Care and Disability Support Qualifications: 

  • AHANA emphasises the importance of reviewing and potentially overhauling the Certificate III and Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance. These qualifications are fundamental for aged care and disability sectors, particularly with the anticipated growth due to new home care reforms. 

  • The current iterations of these qualifications, despite improvements made in 2022, fall short in meeting the comprehensive needs of the rapidly expanding aged care and disability AHA workforce. The previous review by Skills IQ was insufficient, as it did not fully address the emerging job roles and sector-specific requirements, particularly within the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

• Incorporation of Functional Analysis in Training Package Reviews: 

  • AHANA supports HumanAbility’s new training package review process, which includes a functional analysis as the initial step. This method was absent in the previous reviews and is crucial for ensuring that qualifications are appropriately tailored to the specific functions and requirements of AHAs in aged care and disability sectors. 

  • AHANA advocates for a thorough and sector-informed review process that integrates findings from the Aged Care and Disability Royal Commissions, ensuring the qualifications are robust and relevant. 

2. Strategic Collaboration Across Sectors 

• Cross-Sectoral Approach to Workforce Planning: 

  • AHANA urges HumanAbility to adopt a cross-sector view in its review and development of training packages. Instead of a siloed, qualification-by-qualification review, a comprehensive approach that spans multiple Industry Reference Committees (IRCs)—including aged care, disability, health, and community services—is essential. This holistic perspective will better capture the multifaceted contributions of the AHA workforce across different sectors. 

  • Prioritising the Certificate III and IV AHA qualifications for review under this new approach can serve as an early example of effective cross-sector collaboration. This strategy aligns with the goal of addressing workforce implications highlighted by the Royal Commissions and ensures that AHAs are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to meet the demands of their roles. 

3. Engagement and Participation 

• Sector-Specific Breakout Sessions: 

  • AHANA encourages all members to actively participate in the sector-specific breakout sessions during the roadshows. These sessions are a valuable platform for sharing on-the-ground experiences, challenges, and opportunities within the AHA workforce. 

  • Engaging in these discussions will help inform workforce planning and the development of contemporary VET training products that are aligned with industry needs. 

HumanAbility will be travelling around Australia throughout 2024 visiting every capital city as well as regional locations to engage with industry leaders, specialists, managers and educators in the care and support sectors. The roadshow represents an opportunity for AHANA members to be involved in identifying the skills and workforce needs for AHAs, by:  

• Providing insights on workforce and training challenges and opportunities within their industry,  

• Participating in sector-specific breakout sessions to inform workforce planning and training package development  

• Contributing to discussions that will highlight emerging cross-cutting themes.  

AHANA is committed to working collaboratively with HumanAbility to ensure that the training and qualification frameworks for AHAs are responsive, comprehensive, and future-proof. By addressing the highlighted issues and adopting a cross-sectoral approach, HumanAbility can significantly enhance the quality and relevance of training for the allied health assistance workforce. The upcoming roadshows are a prime opportunity to make meaningful strides in this direction, and AHANA looks forward to contributing to these crucial discussions. 

To keep up to date with what is happening join the HumanAbility Partners Program here .