Aged Residential Care Sector Profile 2024

Key insights into New Zealand's aged residential care sector

The Aged Care Association (ACA), in collaboration with Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL), has released the latest report on the profile of the aged residential care (ARC) sector in New Zealand as of late 2023. This comprehensive study, derived from the October 2023 ACA member survey and September 2023 Te Whatu Ora ARC provider quarterly reporting, offers a detailed profile of the sector, including trends in ownership, bed types, services, workforce dynamics, and much more.

The report reveals significant findings on the current state and future directions of ARC facilities across the country, including the growing demand for respite and day care services, the challenges of facility expansion, and the critical role of migrant staff in the workforce. It also highlights the median size of ARC facilities, the increasing trend towards larger care facilities, and the fluctuating occupancy rates amidst the ongoing challenges of staffing and service provision.

Key insights from the report include:

A notable demand for additional rooms and services in care facilities, with barriers such as insufficient income and recruitment difficulties
The vital contribution of caregivers and activities coordinators on visas, amidst limited initiatives to recruit and retain New Zealanders in the workforce
The median size of ARC facilities stands at 55 beds, with a trend towards the development of larger facilities.

The research also sheds light on the significant portion of the workforce comprised of migrant staff from countries like India and the Philippines, and the impact of the "Green List" immediate residency pathway on the recruitment of International Qualified Nurses (IQNs).

The findings underscore the need for continued attention and action to support the ARC sector, particularly in areas such as workforce development, facility expansion, and service provision.

This volume continues a series of reports by the ACA that began in 2005. While there is discontinuity in the time series (no comprehensive member profiling surveys were carried out in 2015 and 2016), the ACA member survey allows for long-term trend analysis. This report marks the 14th time that ACA has carried out a comprehensive survey of its members, spanning a 16-year period. Responses to the 2023 survey provide data on ARC facilities, covering just over half of all ACA member beds and half of all beds provided by the sector.

The full report is available for download.