The role of real-time rostering in reducing burnout among Aged Care workers

Caring for others is one of the most rewarding professions — but also one of the most demanding. In Aged Care, staff juggle the physical intensity of the role with the emotional weight of supporting vulnerable residents. Add in long shifts, compliance requirements, and constant last-minute roster changes — and it's no wonder burnout is such a persistent challenge.

Too often, the problem isn’t that providers lack enough people — it’s how shifts are planned, distributed, and communicated. When rosters are inflexible or unfair, staff end up working double shifts, missing breaks, or constantly adjusting their personal lives to fit around sudden changes. Over time, that pressure erodes wellbeing, damages morale, and impacts the quality-of-care residents receive.

Real-time rostering is one way providers can break this cycle. By giving managers the tools to adapt quickly and staff the autonomy to manage their schedules, it reduces stress, builds fairness, and ensures safe, consistent care.

Why poor rostering drives burnout in Aged Care

Burnout has become a systemic challenge in Aged Care. According to workforce research, the prevalence of burnout currently sits between 30-50% for residential and home care workforces with Aged Care systems similar to that in Australia. Generally, it boils down to emotional exhaustion, detachment from one’s work, and a reduced sense of competence and abilities.

But these problems aren’t the only contributors — it’s often about how available staff are scheduled. Without the right tools, managers often rely on spreadsheets or outdated systems. When last-minute absences occur, they fall back on the same “reliable” carers. Over time, this creates:

• Unfair workloads with some employees regularly covering double shifts

• Increased absenteeism as exhausted workers take more sick leave

• Turnover as staff seek better conditions elsewhere

• Rising agency costs when internal cover can’t be found

What is real-time rostering?

Real-time rostering means responding to workforce needs as they happen. Unlike static schedules set weeks in advance, real-time systems adapt dynamically, giving managers visibility of availability, skills, compliance rules, and preferences all in one place.

With real-time rostering, providers can:

• Auto-adjust to demand when resident care needs or occupancy changes

• Prevent fatigue breaches with safeguards around hours, breaks, and overtime

• Empower staff to swap or bid for shifts instantly via mobile app

• Maintain transparency so managers and staff always see the latest roster

For Aged Care providers, this agility makes a real difference. Staff gain greater control over their working lives, while providers reduce stress, compliance risk, and costs.

Humanforce makes real-time rostering simple

Here's how Humanforce can help Aged Care homes reduce instances of burnout amongst their workers.

Fill shifts quickly and fairly

Humanforce’s Rostering & Scheduling solution helps managers instantly identify qualified staff and offer vacant shifts. Instead of leaning on the same carers, shifts are distributed evenly, avoiding resentment and preventing overload.

Increase flexibility and control

Burnout is closely linked to lack of control. The Humanforce Work App gives carers the ability to update availability, swap shifts, and accept extra hours from their phone. This autonomy builds trust and helps staff balance work with personal commitments, even when on-the-go.

Ensure compliance with ease

Rostering in Aged Care is complicated by award rules, fatigue safeguards, and the new AN-ACC model. Humanforce automates these checks with:

• Award interpretation and fatigue management

• AN-ACC dashboards to monitor care minute targets in real time

• Roster alerts to flag compliance risks before shifts are confirmed

This takes the stress off managers while ensuring compliance is never compromised.

Improve communication and transparency

Staff frustration often comes from poor communication. Real-time updates in Humanforce ensure rosters are always in sync. Notifications are delivered instantly through the Work App via Humanforce SMS (featured within the Work App).

Reduce absenteeism and turnover

Fairer rosters reduce stress and disengagement, meaning staff are less likely to call in sick or leave. Providers benefit from lower agency costs, stronger retention, and greater continuity of care for residents.

Benefits beyond scheduling

Real-time rostering is more than an operational fix — it’s a strategy for workforce resilience.

For staff

• Greater predictability and fairness

• More control over shifts

• Improved morale and work-life balance

For providers

• Lower reliance on agency staff

• Stronger compliance confidence

• Real-time labour cost control

For residents

• Higher continuity of care with familiar carers

• Safer, more compassionate care from rested staff

• Confidence that mandated care minutes are being met

Tips for implementing real-time rostering

Transitioning to real-time rostering requires planning and change management. Here are some best practices:

1. Audit your current rostering process: Identify bottlenecks, fairness issues, and points of frustration

2. Select a platform designed for Aged Care: Look for award interpretation, fatigue safeguards, and AN-ACC reporting dashboards. Humanforce is built specifically for frontline industries

3. Bring staff on the journey: Communicate benefits early and involve employees in pilot testing

4. Start small: Trial in one facility or unit, gather feedback, and refine before wider rollout

5. Empower with self-service: Encourage staff to manage availability, bid for shifts, and use mobile tools for greater autonomy

Real-time rostering: a workforce strategy, not just a tool

Burnout in Aged Care won’t be solved overnight. But smarter rostering can break the cycle of overwork, absenteeism, and churn. Real-time rostering helps managers stay agile, staff feel supported, and residents receive consistent, compassionate care.

With Humanforce’s workforce management suite, providers can move from firefighting to future-proofing — making work easier for staff, and life better for residents.

About Humanforce

Humanforce is the all-in-one platform for frontline and flexible workforces, offering a truly employee centred, intelligent and compliant human capital management (HCM) suite – without compromise. Founded in 2002, Humanforce has a 2300+ customer base and over half a million users worldwide. Today, we have offices across Australia, New Zealand, the US, and the UK.

Our vision is to make work easier and life better by focusing on the needs and fulfilment of frontline workers, and the efficiency and optimisation of businesses.

To learn more about how Humanforce’s solution can help automate people processes in your business, please contact us.