The Care Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is a $129 million, 10-year national collaboration, bringing together more than 50 organisations across Australia.
The CRC focuses on care technology, data solutions and workforce innovation to address productivity challenges across the care economy including early childhood education and care, aged care, disability care, mental health, family and social services and palliative care.
La Trobe University is one of five core research partners in the CRC, working alongside Macquarie University, James Cook University, the University of Sydney and Griffith University.
The CRC connects these research partners with industry partners including peak bodies, care providers and technology developers to co-design solutions to key challenges facing the sector.
Professor Ani Desai, Director of La Trobe University's Centre for Technology Infusion, will lead the CRC’s Technology Solutions research program.
“This is an opportunity to be part of something truly collaborative and impactful,” he says. “It’s about solving real problems with real technology that makes a real difference.”
Professor Desai will work with CRC partners to co-develop a research and development program focused on tangible, practical technologies that can improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of care across sectors.
“We’re talking about things you can see or touch, such as wearable sensors, robotics, assistive devices, apps and digital tools used by care providers and recipients,” says Professor Desai.
“Our goal is to build solutions that are meaningful, scalable and improve real outcomes.”
Care Economy CRC Chief Executive Officer, Carmela Sergi, said the CRC was established to bring together care sectors to address shared productivity challenges.
“Almost every Australian will interact with the care economy at some point in their life, from early childhood education through to aged care and end of life support,” Ms Sergi says.
“While each of these sectors operate separately, they face many of the same challenges, including workforce shortages, rising care demand and low levels of technology adoption.”
“The CRC brings together care providers, researchers, peak bodies and technology developers to work on these shared challenges, and co-develop practical solutions that improve productivity, strengthen workforce capability and support sustainable care services.”
“By sharing knowledge across the care sectors and scaling innovation nationally, the CRC aims to help ensure Australians can receive quality care when and where they need it.”
