Improving productivity across care and support services is not about asking individual workers to do more in less time. It is about strengthening the systems, skills and tools that enable workers to deliver quality care.
This was a key message from Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood at the HumanAbility National Forum 2025.
Ms Wood highlighted how prevention and early intervention could reduce human suffering and ease long term pressure on government budgets, while acknowledging the challenges of securing investment through existing budget processes.
Fragmented regulation across disability, aged care and other settings was also identified as a source of additional cost and complexity for providers and workers.
Technology presents another opportunity to improve productivity. Ms Wood pointed to digital rostering for home care workers and trials using robots for routine aged care tasks, such as moving laundry trolleys and serving meals.
These approaches could free workers to spend more time on the human connection at the centre of care.
“So we want the technology to be complementary to the workers,” she said.
Importantly, workers need to be involved in decisions about introducing new technology and supported to develop the skills required to use it effectively. Ms Wood also emphasised that workers should share in productivity gains, with trust and participation essential to successful workplace change.
Jobs and Skills Councils, including HumanAbility, have an important role in identifying future workforce needs, recognising skills and translating technological change into practical training priorities.
The conversation reinforced that improving productivity in care depends on strengthening the systems around workers while maintaining quality, standards and the human connection at the heart of services.
Continue the conversation at the HumanAbility National Forum 2026
On 11 November, HumanAbility will bring together leaders from industry, government, unions and education in Sydney for the National Forum 2026, Connecting for Impact.
Join us to explore the workforce challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sectors we represent.
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