As Australia’s aged care system continues to transform, one truth remains constant: the quality of dementia care depends directly on the knowledge, confidence and capability of the workforce delivering it.
In her concurrent session (Day 2, Stream D) at the International Dementia Conference 2026, Dr Isabelle Meyer from Dementia Training Australia (DTA) will explore how we can achieve great care everywhere by strengthening workforce capability, whatever the care setting.
A human rights focus – but a critical capability gap
The new Aged Care Act places human rights at the centre of care delivery. While this shift is both welcome and necessary, Dr Meyer highlights an important challenge: the legislation does not define minimum dementia-specific knowledge or skill standards for care workers or health professionals.
A National Dementia Education and Training Standard Framework
To address this challenge, Dementia Training Australia has developed the National Dementia Education and Training Standard Framework – a consistent approach to defining the skills and knowledge required for care workers to deliver excellence in care, regardless of care setting.
In her concurrent session, Dr Meyer will explain how the framework is being used to:
- Build a skilled, confident and resilient workforce
- Improve consistency and quality of dementia care nationally, regardless of setting or location
- Improve access and equity of care for people living with dementia across Australia and leading to better experiences and outcomes for people living with dementia, and those who care for them
