On-demand Nurses in Aged Care: A flexible solution for a changing sector

In 2025, Australia’s aged care sector continues to evolve rapidly—driven by an ageing population, workforce shortages, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. One significant shift that’s reshaping how care is delivered is the growing reliance on on-demand nursing solutions. Whether it's covering unplanned leave, responding to a surge in residents, or maintaining compliance with mandated care hours, the ability to call in qualified nursing staff at short notice has become essential.

At Health On Call, we’re leading this transformation by connecting aged care providers with skilled, reliable nurses exactly when and where they’re needed. This blog explores why on-demand staffing is no longer a backup plan but a core strategy for delivering safe, high-quality aged care.

The changing landscape of aged care in Australia

Aged care providers are under immense pressure. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighted the urgent need for better staff-to-resident ratios, enhanced skills training, and a more person-centred approach. At the same time, Australia’s population aged 65+ is projected to double by 2050, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This surge in demand is colliding with a national shortage of nurses—especially those trained in geriatric and dementia care. Facilities are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain consistent rosters, fill vacant shifts, and meet new care quality standards.

This is where on-demand nurse staffing steps in as a proactive, rather than reactive, solution.

The benefits of on-demand nursing in aged care

1. Maintaining care continuity

Unexpected leave, illness, or high turnover can lead to roster gaps that jeopardise resident care. On-demand staffing ensures that care isn’t compromised, helping providers maintain consistency, especially for residents who thrive on routine and familiar faces.

At Health On Call, we focus on sending nurses who are not only qualified but experienced in aged care environments. Our pool includes RNs, ENs, and AINs with specific experience in dementia care, wound management, and palliative support.

2. Improving workforce morale

Overworked permanent staff are more likely to burn out, make mistakes, or leave the sector altogether. Supplementing your core team with on-demand nurses allows for better rostering flexibility and improved morale. It gives permanent staff time to rest, train, or focus on residents with complex needs.

3. Meeting compliance requirements

With the rollout of new mandatory care minute targets and quality standards, aged care facilities need to ensure every shift is adequately staffed. Falling short not only affects accreditation but can lead to serious care failures. On-demand nurses help providers stay compliant and audit-ready, even when unexpected gaps arise.

4. Scalable support during peak times

Many facilities experience fluctuating needs—for example, during flu season, admissions spikes, or during COVID-related staff shortages. On-demand staffing offers the ability to scale your workforce without committing to long-term hires. It provides agility without compromising quality.

How Health On Call supports flexible aged care staffing

We’re not just a staffing agency—we’re a care partner. Our approach to on-demand nursing focuses on:

• 24/7 access to qualified staff, including after-hours and weekend coverage

• Strict vetting and onboarding to ensure all nurses meet aged care compliance requirements

• Technology-enabled rostering, making it faster for providers to request and confirm staff

• Relationship building, where we aim to send familiar faces to the same facilities for smoother transitions and stronger rapport with residents

We take pride in understanding the unique needs of each aged care facility we work with—whether you need short-notice coverage for an RN or ongoing support for high-dependency units.

A new standard for aged care workforce management

The aged care sector can no longer afford a one-size-fits-all approach to staffing. As expectations rise and pressures mount, on-demand nursing is helping facilities not just fill shifts—but build a more responsive, resilient, and resident-focused workforce.

Health On Call is here to help aged care providers navigate this new era. If your facility is looking for flexible, reliable, and experienced nursing support, we’re ready when you are.