Seen but not heard: Are aged care agency staff treated like second-class carers?

While agency workers are meant to be the backup lifeline for short-staffed aged care homes, many report being treated more like outsiders than valued professionals.

Published: 11 July 2025
  • national
  • 11 July 2025
  • Hellocare

From being given the toughest tasks to being blamed for things they didn’t do, the agency workforce, particularly in aged care, is sounding the alarm about toxic work cultures that leave them feeling voiceless, unsupported, and expendable.

And the implications aren’t just about staff wellbeing, there are real risks to residents when systems fail to protect and empower the people who care for them.