Why Aged Care Recruitment Matters More Than Ever: A Q&A with Alexiss Macneil
Chris O • September 25, 2025
We know that Aged Care recruitment is about more than filling roles, it’s about dignity, respect, and making sure the right people are in the right place to deliver safe, compassionate care.
To shine a light on this important part of healthcare, we spoke with
Alexiss Macneil, our Head of Aged Care, about why this work matters, how the sector is evolving, and what sets Talent Quarter apart.
Q: Alexiss, what first drew you into Aged Care recruitment?
For me, it comes down to two things: people and purpose. Aged Care recruitment stood out to me because it isn’t just about jobs - it’s about supporting organisations that care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Knowing that the right placement can directly impact the quality of life for residents and their families which makes my role in this incredibly meaningful.
Q: How has the Aged Care sector changed in recent years?
Aged Care is changing on 1 November 2025 with the new rights-based Aged Care Act, which puts older people’s dignity, choice and supported decision-making at the centre - backed by stronger Quality Standards and better whistleblower protections. At the same time, Support at Home replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. The person receiving care will be paying for the services they use, with contributions set using age-pension-style means testing (income + assets), and “no-worse-off” protections for anyone who was in the Home Care Package queue before 12 September 2024.
For providers, the bar is higher: clearer obligations, sharper accountability, safer, more people-centred care. The challenge is workforce. That’s where Talent Quarter comes in - supplying compliant, compassionate nurses and care workers you can rely on across residential and in-home care. Our focus is simple: trust, safety and dignity in every placement.
As these reforms come into effect, facilities will need people they can rely on, and nurses and care workers will see clearer pathways and new opportunities, whether in residential facilities or in home-based care. I see our role here as helping both providers and carers thrive in these new circumstances.
Q: What makes Talent Quarter’s approach different?
I don’t see recruitment as transactional; I spend a lot of time building long-term partnerships. While I think our approach is solutions-focused: we look beyond workforce gaps to truly understand the culture and compliance needs of each institution.
Whether it’s permanent, temporary, or international recruitment, we take pride in making sure our support is tailored for both clients and healthcare staff.
We want our clients to feel confident they have the right people, at the right time. Speed, compliance, and cultural alignment aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re essentials.
Q: Why is trust so important in Aged Care recruitment?
Providers are caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, mums, dads, grandparents, people who deserve to feel safe and respected every single day. In Aged Care, there is simply no room for shortcuts, because every placement touches a real life. That’s why trust is everything.
Recruitment partners need rigorous compliance processes, of course, but they also need to be compassionate advisors who understand what’s at stake. At Talent Quarter, we never forget the human side of what we do. We build trust not just through transparency and consistency, but by treating every placement as if we were choosing care for our own loved ones we call this #connectionswithimpact.
Q: There are still misconceptions about Aged Care. How do you change the narrative?
Aged Care nursing is so often misunderstood. It’s not ‘just basic care’, it’s leadership, it’s advocacy, it’s problem-solving in moments that really matter. It’s being the bridge between residents, their families, and the wider healthcare team.
The way we change that narrative is by telling the real stories - shining a light on the skill, compassion, and resilience of Aged Care professionals. We need to celebrate their work, highlight their voices, and remind the community that they’re not just providing care, they’re creating dignity, belonging, and home. When people hear those stories, the perception starts to shift.
Q: What does a successful placement look like for you?
For me, a successful placement is never about filling a vacancy quickly - it’s about finding the right fit. On the candidate side, it means a nurse or care worker steps into a role where they feel truly valued, supported, and able to grow. It’s seeing them thrive, build confidence, and deliver the best possible care because they’re in an environment that is best suited for them.
For our clients, success looks like having a reliable team member who integrates well, strengthens culture, and stays for the long term. The way we get there at Talent Quarter is through empathy and communication, listening to what candidates truly want in their careers, understanding what clients really need, and building genuine partnerships that bring both together.
Q: What keeps you motivated in this challenging sector?
Honestly, it’s the impact we have on people’s lives. When a nurse or care worker finds the right role, they’re not only supported to thrive, but the people they care for feel that impact too. That ripple effect from candidates to clients to the communities they serve - is what inspires me every day. For me, that’s what our TQ slogan #connectionswithimpact is all about.
Your Scottish accent is a bit of a trademark here at TQ! If you had to give us one Scottish phrase, what would it be?
I’d say ‘Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye’ - which means” what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.” I love it because it’s a reminder that the right opportunity always comes around - and in recruitment, that couldn’t be more true!
📩 Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking for your next role, or an Aged Care provider wanting to strengthen your team, connect with our Aged Care recruitment team today.
Zoe Gilchrist (Recruitment Consultant) - zoe.gilchrist@talentquarter.com
Alexiss Macneil (Head of Aged Care) - alexiss.macneil@talentquarter.com
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Every year, social care organisations across Australia wait for one key announcement that can significantly impact their workforce budgets, service delivery models and recruitment strategies. But First, What Does SCHADS Stand For? SCHADS stands for the: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award - If you work in disability, community services, home care or social support, you've probably heard of the SCHADS Award . It's one of Australia's largest modern awards and sets the minimum employment conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers across the social care sector. The award is overseen by the Fair Work Commission and establishes the minimum standards employers must meet when employing eligible workers. Following the Fair Work Commission's 2026 Annual Wage Review decision, a 4.75% increase to SCHADS Award wages has been confirmed, with the new rates taking effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. For employers across the social care sector, attention is now turning to workforce planning, compliance and budgeting for the new financial year. It covers employees working in areas such as: Disability support Community services Home care Youth services Family support Crisis accommodation Social and community programs And it's not just base pay that may change. Any increase can also impact: Weekend penalties Casual loadings Overtime rates Public holiday payments Sleepover and shift allowances Industry Insight "As a recruiter working closely with the NFP sector, I welcome the 4.75% SCHADS increase. Better pay will help attract and retain the incredible people who dedicate their careers to supporting others. But many leaders are already asking the same question: where will the additional funding come from? The success of this change won't be measured by wage growth alone, but by whether organisations are given the resources to sustain it." - Greg Forster ( Senior Recruitment Specialist | Talent Quarter, 25+ years' experience recruiting leaders across the welfare, community, disability, aged care and mental health sectors). What Does This Mean for Employers? For providers across healthcare, disability and community services, staying on top of award changes is critical. Now is the time to: ✔ Review employee classifications ✔ Check payroll systems are up to date ✔ Budget for increased labour costs ✔ Ensure compliance across your workforce Getting it wrong can create significant compliance risks. But, getting it right helps protect both your organisation and your employees. The Bottom Line The SCHADS Award isn't just about wages. It's a key part of workforce compliance, employee retention and operational planning across Australia's care sector. With the wage increase now confirmed, organisations that prepare early will be best placed to manage costs, remain compliant and continue attracting quality talent in an increasingly competitive market. Need Support Navigating Workforce Changes? Whether you're preparing for SCHADS Award updates, planning for workforce growth, or looking to strengthen your recruitment strategy, having the right people in place has never been more important. At Talent Quarter, we partner with healthcare, disability, aged care and community service organisations across Australia to help solve workforce challenges before they impact service delivery. From permanent recruitment and workforce planning to sourcing hard-to-fill talent, our team understands the unique pressures facing the care sector. If you're reviewing your workforce needs for the new financial year, we'd love to have a conversation. Get in touch with our Talent Quarter team to discuss your hiring goals, workforce challenges and talent needs.
Here at Talent Quarter, providing quality support to both healthcare professionals and clients has always been a core part of how we work. Achieving ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certification with Certex is an important milestone that reflects the care, consistency and accountability we aim to bring to everything we do. As a healthcare recruitment and workforce solutions partner operating across Australia, Talent Quarter works closely with nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals and social care workers across metro, regional and remote communities. What is ISO 9001 — and Why Does It Matter? ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised quality management standard designed to help organisations improve the way they operate, deliver services consistently and continually review how they can do things better. Rather than being a simple “tick-box” exercise, it requires businesses to build clear processes, strengthen accountability and create structured systems around risk management, documentation, communication and continuous improvement. Pursuing ISO 9001 certification gave the team an opportunity to strengthen and formalise many of the quality processes already in place across the business. As our organisation continues to grow and support more government and healthcare partners, having a recognised framework helps ensure services remain consistent, compliant and people-focused. The certification journey involved reviewing internal systems, refining documentation and improving visibility across processes and responsibilities. While it required time and collaboration across teams, it also created valuable opportunities to improve the way Talent Quarter works internally and supports its clients and candidates externally. Shannon O’Fionnagain, Executive Head of Operational Strategy & Governance at Talent Quarter, shared: “It strengthens customer confidence, supports improved customer satisfaction, and reinforces our culture of continuous improvement.” Certex’s collaborative and industry-informed approach played a key role throughout the process, helping ensure the certification journey remained both practical and aligned with Talent Quarter’s operational environment. For us, this certification is not just about achieving a standard - it’s about continuing to build trust, improve experiences and support healthcare communities with care and consistency.
In healthcare, aged care and community services, compliance is often treated like a checklist. Documents collected. Boxes ticked. Systems updated. But in reality, compliance isn’t a process. It’s a risk strategy. And right now, too many organisations are still managing it like an admin task. Across the sector, the same patterns show up: Credentials checked once, then assumed to stay valid Visa and work rights confirmed at onboarding, but not monitored Manual systems used to track expiry dates Last-minute scrambles when gaps are uncovered Mounting pressure during audits and reviews None of this is actually intentional. But it creates exposure and in our sector, that exposure directly impacts care quality, safety, and trust. Moving beyond “point-in-time” compliance A worker who was compliant three months ago… isn’t necessarily compliant today. Registrations change, documents expire and visa conditions evolve. If compliance isn’t actively monitored, gaps will appear. It’s not a question of if, it’s when. The cost of getting it wrong This isn’t just theoretical. It shows up in very real ways: Failed audits and costly remediation Regulatory penalties Service disruption and cancelled shifts Increased admin burden Reputational damage across clients and communities And most importantly, it introduces risk into environments where there is no room for error. What we’re seeing Through our work across Australia, one thing is clear: Most providers don’t lack intent, they lack systems designed to eliminate gaps. Because managing compliance… isn’t the same as controlling it. A different approach: Zero-Gap Compliance At Talent Quarter, we’ve shifted away from “point-in-time” compliance to a model of continuous compliance . We call it Zero-Gap Compliance - a system designed to remove the opportunity for gaps to exist in the first place. It’s built on a few simple principles: No clearance, no placement Continuous, real-time monitoring (not one-off checks) Verified visa status and work rights Automated alerts before issues become risks Full audit visibility across every worker If something isn’t current, verified, and compliant, it simply doesn’t go. What this delivers Reduced organisational risk Stronger governance More reliable workforce coverage Protection of care quality And ultimately, confidence that the workforce you rely on is exactly what it should be. There’s a simple rule we apply: If there’s a gap, we don’t place. No exceptions. No workarounds. No risk passed on.
