Aged Care Gets a Virtual Lifeline

Australia bets A$31.2M on virtual nursing to ease staff gaps and slash hospital visits in aged care homes.

28 Mar 2025

Australia’s aged care sector is turning to technology to address one of its most persistent challenges: chronic staff shortages. A new virtual nursing program, backed by A$31.2 million in government funding, promises quicker care for elderly residents and fewer emergency hospital trips.

The scheme couldn’t come at a better time. Care homes across the country are struggling with overcrowded hospitals and inadequate after-hours care. The solution is virtual nurses who monitor patients remotely, offer instant clinical advice via video calls, and track vital signs, all without setting foot inside the facility.

The rollout is led by Amplar Home Health, with La Trobe University keeping tabs on its effectiveness. The hope is to improve in-home care and reduce the need for hospital transfers, especially in rural areas where medical staff are in short supply.

Industry figures are already hailing it as a game-changer. “This marks a new era for aged care,” an Amplar spokesperson said, describing digital care as a potential blueprint for future healthcare reforms. Tech experts point to a global trend of using smart technology to close healthcare gaps, and Australia appears eager to catch up.

Still, the path forward is not entirely smooth. Some facilities may face hurdles with outdated tech or the need for staff retraining. And while government funding is flowing now, there is uncertainty about who will foot the bill down the track.

Yet optimism is running high. For a sector long stretched thin, virtual nursing could offer not just temporary relief but a lasting upgrade. As the program expands nationwide, aged care providers and policymakers alike will be watching closely.

Australia’s experiment with digital care may well decide how technology reshapes healthcare for decades to come.