Can technology bridge Australia’s care gap with dignity for our ageing communities?
Australia is facing a stark demographic reality: by 2041, our population aged 65 and over is projected to grow by 54 percent, from around 4.31 million to 6.66 million, while those aged 85 and over will increase by 140 percent, from roughly 534,000 to 1.28 million (CEPAR). At the same time, the workforce capable of providing care is declining sharply - projections show a shortfall of 100,000 care workers by 2027–28, escalating to 212,000 by 2050.
This is not simply a matter of longer wait times or rising costs - it is the risk of reaching a point where there are not enough hands to help with life's most basic needs; getting dressed, taking medication, or recovering after a fall. The uncomfortable question then becomes - when traditional care becomes impossible, what happens to dignity?
Giving time back to care
On the ground, caregivers are burning out. They spend precious hours on administrative duties - delivering meals, tracking linen, hunting for medication - instead of providing human connection. In Australia, many aged care workers also rely on personal messaging apps such as WhatsApp due to outdated communication systems, creating inefficiencies and privacy concerns. What if secure, purpose-built technology could give them that time back?
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are already in use in other countries. For example, Singapore's nursing homes have freed up at least 10 percent of staff time for direct patient care through AMR deployment - and Australian providers could achieve similar results. The goal is not to replace caregivers, but to let them focus on what only humans can do: offer empathy and connection.
Modern tools for modern caregivers
Instead of banning smartphones, facilities should embrace them as secure coordination hubs, enabling instant communication, real-time care plan updates, and emergency alerts. Sensor networks can allow caregivers to summon help at the press of a button, while AI-powered cameras could detect falls or wandering in real-time - critical in an industry where attracting Gen Z workers will depend on offering technology-enabled workplaces.
Dignity-preserving patient technology
Tomorrow's seniors are tech-savvy. They expect to stay in charge of their lives, even when they need extra support. A friendly reminder from a robot to take medication feels like help, rather than surveillance. The challenge is ensuring that AI-powered monitoring preserves dignity, with transparent data use and clear consent.
Building an integrated care ecosystem in Australia
Seven in ten Australian aged care providers are concerned about the nation's readiness for an ageing population; nearly all cite rising operational costs, and more than half doubt they can recruit enough staff under current migration settings. Addressing these issues requires more than buying robots, it demands an entire ecosystem approach; high-performance Wi-Fi, secure mobile platforms, AI-enabled safety systems, and integrated digital workflows.
Boosting productivity in the care economy could save billions and relieve fiscal strain, especially as the sector already accounts for around 15 percent of national employment.
Workforce training and retention will be critical to making this vision a reality. Technology can only deliver results if staff are confident in using it, which means investing in ongoing digital skills development for both new and existing employees. This not only ensures better uptake of tools like AI-powered monitoring and smart scheduling systems, but also helps retain talent by making the job less stressful and more rewarding. In a competitive labour market, offering training pathways that combine technology proficiency with traditional care skills could be a decisive advantage for providers.
Equally important is ensuring that the digital transformation of aged care is inclusive. Rural and regional facilities face different challenges to those in metropolitan areas, from limited internet connectivity to smaller staffing pools. Scalable solutions such as cloud-based platforms that can run efficiently on lower bandwidth, or modular robotics that can operate in more confined settings will be key to making sure innovation is not concentrated only in major cities. By designing systems that work for all communities, Australia can set a benchmark for equitable, technology-enabled care.
From crisis to innovation leadership
Every developed nation is grappling with aged care challenges. Australia has the opportunity to lead by strategically investing in smart, scalable care models, from backend patient record systems to bedside connectivity and building-wide smart sensors. By making the right technology choices now, we can preserve dignity, improve quality of life, and export our expertise to a world facing the same demographic shift.
