As we transition towards a new home care program in 2025, Support at Home, educational resources are essential for meeting the growing demand for ageing in place.
Just over one million Australians currently receive government-funded home care services and that’s expected to pass 1.4 million by 2035. It’s a considerable cohort that includes countless others who are not receiving any paid support and perhaps rely on family or friends as informal carers.
In this evolving environment, accessible and reliable education is essential. It ensures that everyone involved in aged care, including support workers, family caregivers and industry professionals, has the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality, person-centred care.
This is why home care provider Trilogy Care launched its Home Care Academy.
“Home Care Academy is more than just an educational platform; it represents our commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement in home care,” Trilogy Care Chief Quality & Operations Officer Erin Headley shared.
“By empowering everyone involved in care with accessible, high-quality information, we aim to strengthen confidence and competence across the board.
“Our vision for Home Care Academy is for it to become an indispensable resource in the aged care community: a trusted platform that supports professional development, deepens understanding of care practices and ultimately enhances the quality of life for care recipients.
Launched in October, Home Care Academy saw 101 users register on its launch day. That number has grown significantly since in line with the launch of each new module.
Users include a mixture of aged care workers (roughly 71% of users) plus care recipients, family members and friends.
This success highlights the Academy’s inclusivity and ability to support professional caregivers and informal supporters in the aged care sector.
“For care recipients, the Academy provides vital knowledge and tools that foster self-advocacy and help them understand the full scope of their care options, preferences, and rights,” Trilogy Care Quality & Operations Improvements Advisor Fran Da Silva added.
“Our resources encourage a person-centred approach, enabling caregivers to meet the holistic needs of those they support and make decisions that respect each individual’s dignity and autonomy.
“The Academy’s courses cover a diverse range of subjects, from foundational topics like mental health awareness to clinically focused areas such as anaphylaxis management and infection prevention.”
The Academy has released four courses and plans to expand its offerings further. One of the most successful courses is Mental Health Awareness which has attracted 248 enrolments and achieved a 96% success rate.
Early user insights reveal that two-thirds wanted to deepen their program knowledge, highlighting the importance of understanding aged care structures and services. Meanwhile, nearly 60% focused on personal health while 48% sought to better understand their caregiving roles.
“This demonstrates the significance of fostering important discussions and providing high-quality learning content. The platform also allows for flexible study, enabling learners to pause and resume courses, completing them at their own pace – an essential feature for busy caregivers and professionals,” Ms Da Silva added.
In a true sign of industry collaboration, aged care workers can access the modules regardless of the organisation they work for. The Academy was created to be accessible to all to bridge knowledge gaps and promote a shared understanding of care responsibilities, practices, and expectations.
This accessibility is equally important for home care clients like those Trilogy Care supports. Trilogy Care has two offerings – Self Managed and Self Managed PLUS – that allow clients to manage their Home Care Packages with freedom.
It recognises that its clients deserve access to free resources to make informed decisions about the model of care that best suits them and their everyday choices.
“By providing easily accessible education to everyone involved, the Academy fosters a cohesive and well-informed support network, vital in the aged care environment, where care recipients, families, and professionals each play distinct yet interconnected roles,” Ms Headley said.
“This inclusivity enriches the overall experience, ensuring all stakeholders can engage meaningfully in the care journey.”
At a time when many Australians are also worried about the cost of living, the Academy offers free training. There are no financial barriers for those interested in learning about aged care but unable to afford formal training or certification.
This openness allows anyone – from family caregivers to potential support workers exploring a career in aged care – to access resources designed by clinical professionals and care experts at no cost.
More resources will become available, too. Trilogy Care plans to expand its offerings into a comprehensive range of courses covering specialised areas such as dementia care and advanced personal care techniques
There is also an ongoing commitment to updating the content in line with regulatory changes and evolving best practices.
“The ultimate goal is to create an evolving curriculum that meets the sector’s need for more personalised and sophisticated home care solutions, equipping care recipients and their support networks with the knowledge to manage risks, advocate for themselves, and confidently navigate their care journey,” Ms Headley said.
“We want the Home Care Academy to be positioned as a beacon of accessible, high-quality education in this rapidly evolving industry, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of home care in Australia.”
