NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association general secretary Brett Holmes said that members in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven were highlighting the need for urgent reform.

"The Morrison government has repeatedly failed to address the widespread issues in aged care and they've dragged their feet on adopting recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission," he said.

"Fixing aged care must be a priority and we welcome Labor's commitment to ensure at least one registered nurse is on site at all times in residential aged care facilities by 2023; legislated ratios that guarantee 215 care minutes per resident, with 44 minutes provided by a registered nurse; real wage increases for aged care workers, accountability on how federal funding is spent and better food standards."

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University of Wollongong vice chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson said that the system is currently in crisis mode.

"It's pretty clear that the system is under pressure, at the moment, because this has largely been exacerbated by COVID-19," she said.

Moderating a forum comprising industry, policy and education experts, Professor Davidson said increasing educational standards would contribute to improved pay for aged care staff.

"The more people that have baccalaureate degrees, the more that can demand and justify higher salaries."

With the care needs of those in residential aged care and home-based care expected to increase in the coming years, there will be a need for greater education and training in the workforce to meet these needs.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that by July 1 2022, the Australian government should mandate that personal carers have a minimum qualification of a Certificate III.

Currently, staff are not required to have a qualification to work in aged care.

Professor Davidson said that by focusing on qualifications, a career in aged care would also be more attractive to the next generation of workers.

"We have a huge workforce shortage, fuelled by increasing demand and increasing chronic conditions. We also have an ageing of the healthcare workforce. So, within our healthcare and professional schools, we need to emphasise to students that working in aged care is a rewarding career, and also intellectually challenging and stimulating."

Professor Davidson said there were opportunities to collaborate across disciplines to provide better care, but that how Australians took care of older people would reflect the society as a whole.

"Delivering safe care to older people is a litmus test of a safe, equitable and just society."

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