Australia’s aged care sector is set to benefit from a new $2 million Flagship Projects grant program from Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), aimed at driving collaborative solutions to some of the industry’s most complex workforce challenges.
Funded by the Commonwealth Government, the program is part of the Aged Care Collaborative initiative and is designed to support aged care providers in co-designing and implementing evidence-based interventions across the sector.
“The Flagship Projects have been designed to harness the collective wisdom of providers from a diversity of aged care contexts, with the opportunity to come together to work on shared challenges and generate valuable evidence and learnings for the broader sector.”
ARIIA Senior Manager, Strategic Projects, Holly Sparrow
About the Flagship Projects
The Flagship Projects will run over 12 months, beginning with six months of collaborative workshops and co-design, followed by six months of tailored implementation and evaluation. Participating aged care providers will receive up to $120,000 (ex GST) to support delivery of the projects, with a matched co-contribution (cash and/or in-kind) required.
Applications are now open for two distinct projects, and aged care providers may apply for one or both:
• Flagship Project 1: Enhancing Role Clarity, Communication and Career Pathways with a Flexible Leadership Model – APPLY HERE
This project focuses on workforce optimisation in residential and home care by co-designing a flexible role matrix to streamline responsibilities, communication, and leadership pathways.
• Flagship Project 2: Empowering Data Literacy and Capability to Drive Quality Care – APPLY HERE
This project aims to build data capability within aged care teams, enabling more effective use of existing data, particularly around pressure injuries and wound care, to improve care quality.
Throughout the program, providers will participate in facilitated online workshops and peer learning sessions to share insights, challenges, and progress.
What you need to know
• Applications close Thursday, 24 April 2025 at 5 pm ACST
• Open to Australian aged care providers (residential or home care)
• Only individual provider applications will be accepted—pre-formed consortia or partnerships are ineligible
• Providers must submit a separate application for each Flagship Project
• Up to 6 providers will be selected for Project 1, and up to 8 providers for Project 2
• Emphasis will be placed on achieving a diverse mix of participants across care settings, locations, and organisation types
In addition to the Flagship Projects, ARIIA previously announced a new round of Accelerator Grants, with $1 million available to fund projects that augment the aged care workforce. Further details and applications for the Accelerator Grants are available at Aged Care Collaborative.
