Care Economy CRC receives $35M in funding

The Care Economy Cooperative Research Centre has received $35 million in federal funding through a Cooperative Research Centre grant – which recently appointed chief executive officer Carmela Sergi said will enable the development of new technologies and workforce solutions that support a high-quality care industry.

The $35 million grant will be pooled with investments from 60 partners, bringing the total value of the Care Economy CRC to $129 million over 10 years, Ms Sergi told Community Care Review.

It will be the nation’s first for the sector and the largest in the world, encouraging collaboration on care technology, data solutions and workforce innovation to address increased demand and skills shortages across the care sector – among other challenges.

“The funds will be used across three programs of research: technology solutions, data solutions and workforce innovation. The CRC will work closely with both the participants of care and workers to co-design solutions ensuring they are fit-for-purpose and meet the needs of both the person receiving care and the person giving care,” Ms Sergi said.

Technologies that could be supported through the Care Economy CRC include virtual reality and robotics, in-home support monitoring, environmental and wearable sensors, digital care technologies, telehealth solutions and other software and hardware products, while the data solutions program will focus on safe and effective use of data in care, including accessible, connected and interoperable data, analytics and insights, and decision support tools, said Ms Sergi.

“Technology has the potential to drive improved productivity, although faces key barriers limiting uptake and implementation within the care economy. The Care Economy CRC will provide for the first time a collaborative effort to tackle these challenges and develop fit-for-purpose technology and data solutions alongside a skilled and adaptable workforce capable of deploying those solutions to realise future care industry transformation,” Ms Sergi told CCR.

There is also a workforce innovation stream focusing on developing worker capability for technology-enabled care delivery, as well as addressing digital literacy skill gaps. Research will also investigate new qualification and training approaches, flexible career pathways as well as attraction and retention initiatives to address workforce shortages.

A wide range of stakeholders will be involved, including private and public companies, partner universities, councils of social service, regulators, government agencies, consumer peak bodies and community groups.

The Care Economy CRC will be based at Melbourne’s La Trobe University and is projected to deliver more than $1.4 billion in direct benefits over the next 15 years and will support the growth of small and medium enterprises in the sector.

Sleeptite has announced its involvement this week as a core industry partner, collaborating with consortium partners to further advance the development, research and commercialisation of its REMi platform technology – data-driven, user-centred technology that uses non-invasive sensors to monitor users and falls risk from the surface of a bed.

“We are incredibly proud to join the Care Economy CRC as a core industry partner. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionise the care sector through innovative technology,” said Sleeptite CEO Cameron van den Dungen.

“By working alongside a diverse group of partners, we are confident that our REMi platform will play a crucial role in enhancing care delivery and improving the quality of life for many Australians. Together, we are poised to drive meaningful change and set new standards in care,” van den Dungen added.

Palliative Care Australia has expressed its delight in being a supporting partner in establishing the Care Economy CRC, with chief executive officer Camilla Rowland saying they have been involved in building a case of government funding and support for the consortium for the last four years.

“This is a dynamic collaboration to be a part of, and an initiative that PCA sees great potential in,” Ms Rowland said.

“The rate at which the number of people aged 85 and over is on track to triple in the next seven years, we need to find new ways to meet the demand for care our elders and their families have now and into the future. 
 
“The Care Economy CRC is a constructive step forward, one that looks to support and grow existing health and care systems, with new and bold ideas that support vulnerable communities.”   

The $35 million funding granted to the Care Economy CRC was part of a broader $158 million co-funding provided by the federal government as an investment in Australian innovation. The Other CRCs to receive funding were the newly established Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies CRC and Additive Manufacturing CRC.

SMART CRC will receive $65 million over 10 years to manufacture cures for cancer, heart diseases, arthritis and other age-related ailments while the Additive Manufacturing CRC will receive $58 million over seven years to establish an advanced additive manufacturing ecosystem.

Other partners of the Care Economy CRC include:

• Ageing Australia
• ARIIA
• AlfredHealth
• ANDHealth
• Ansen Innovation
• Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice
• Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (SA Branch)
• APNA
• Australian Psychological Society
• Balance Mat
• Beamtree
• Beechworth Health Service
• Berry Street
• Butterfly
• Choice Aged Care
• Childcare & Kindergarten Forensicare
• G8 Education
• Global Centre for Modern Ageing
• Global Health
• Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
• Gowrie NSW
• Griffith University
• HalleyAssist
• HammondCare
• healthdirect Australia
• Heathcote Health
• Holmesglen
• InteliCare
• James Cook University
• keyassets
• KU Children’s Services
• La Trobe University
• LearningCreates Australia
• Macquarie University
• McLean Care
• Mercy Connect
• National Disability Servces
• neami national
• NOKIA
• North Adelaide Local Health Network
• Northern Health
• Novatti
• Odyssey House Australia
• Queensland Health
• Royal Flying Doctor’s Service Victoria
• SDN Children’s Services
• Simple Healthcare Solutions
• SkillsIQ
• Sunraysia Community Health Services
• Transfer systems
• Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre
• United Workers Union
• Uniting
• University of Sydney
• untapped
• VIVA Mutual
• Wound Innovations
• Youth Support Advocacy Service.

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