WELLINGTON: A university has launched a 12 month project to tackle care worker burnout that directly impacts the safety and quality of care for the elderly and disabled.

A new research project is expected to roll out this month to help assist the aged care sector across Queensland.

University of Southern Queensland’s CARE-R Project is a research and training initiative designed to make workplaces safer, healthier and more supportive across regional and rural communities.

Clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at UniSQ Dr Renee Ireland said there aren’t proper systems in place to support aged care workers that can lead to burnout, injury and staff leaving the sector.

“We know that workforce wellbeing affects quality of care so it’s directly impacting the quality, consistency and safety of care for older Australians,” Dr Ireland said.

The project would use online resources and modules to help improve the psychosocial wellbeing which in turn would hopefully improve resilience and decrease burnout.

Dr Ireland said the project would start in January and run for 12 months, with plans to make the program national by 2027 if successful.