Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) has announced the recipients of its $2 million 2025 Flagship Project Grants, with 14 aged care providers set to collaborate on two of the sector’s most pressing challenges: workforce retention and data literacy.
Funded by the Commonwealth Government and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the projects will be delivered over 12 months through ARIIA’s Aged Care Collaborative. Each provider will receive up to $120,000 (with matched co-contributions) to co-design and implement innovative, evidence-based interventions addressing sector-wide issues identified by the Aged Care Collaborative Advisory Group.
Flagship Project 1 will focus on improving workforce outcomes by enhancing role clarity, communication and career pathways via a flexible leadership model. The project builds on a successful pilot funded by a previous ARIIA grant. It will be delivered at residential or home care sites operated by Australian Unity, Benetas, Beaumont Care, Feros Care, integratedliving Australia and Life Without Barriers.
Flagship Project 2 aims to lift data literacy by empowering staff to use routinely collected information to improve clinical outcomes, particularly in pressure injury and wound care. Participants include Alwyndor, Bolton Clarke, Elderbloom Community Care Centres, Fronditha Care, Glow Health Care Australia, Lifeview, Regents Garden and Warrigal.
ARIIA CEO Reuben Jacob said the collaboration reflected the Royal Commission’s call for sector-wide innovation. “Rather than working in silos, we need a more collaborative approach to solving the most difficult and pervasive problems,” Mr Jacob said. “These projects combine expertise from across the country to develop scalable solutions that can improve care quality for older Australians.”
Holly Sparrow, Senior Manager of Strategic Projects at ARIIA, said the projects were designed to deliver practical, widely applicable outcomes.
“The selected sites represent a diverse mix of metropolitan and regional providers, ensuring the learnings are relevant across the sector. ARIIA and subject matter experts will support each organisation throughout the program.”
Holly Sparrow
ARIIA was established in 2021 to lead research, collaboration and innovation in aged care. Backed by Flinders University and the South Australian Government, the organisation works with government, industry and providers to drive systemic improvement and support high-quality, sustainable care across Australia.
