CARED Unlocks Dormant Allied Health Workforce to Ease NSW Shortages

As the New South Wales health system struggles under the weight of crippling worker shortages, an innovative solution is emerging to tap into a hidden workforce. CARED, an Australian healthcare platform offering flexible working conditions for allied health professionals, is poised to bring thousands of skilled practitioners back into the system—many of whom have been sidelined due to inflexible workplace policies.

One of the most significant barriers to workforce participation in allied health is the lack of support for professionals with young children or babies. Traditionally, inflexible schedules and demanding work environments force many to take extended leave or leave the workforce altogether, often for 12 to 18 months or more. This absence exacerbates critical shortages across the state, particularly in areas like physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. “

CARED is unlocking a dormant workforce that has been overlooked for far too long,” said Karim Amin, CEO of CARED. “Thousands of highly skilled allied health professionals want to return to work, but the traditional healthcare system makes it impossible for them to balance their careers with parenting. CARED changes that by offering complete flexibility, allowing professionals to work on their own terms. ”The platform empowers allied health providers to set their own hours, work remotely via telehealth, or provide in-person care when it suits their lifestyle. By removing rigid schedules and reducing administrative burdens, CARED makes it possible for those previously unable to work—especially parents with young children—to re-enter the workforce.

For clients, the impact is profound. NSW is already facing a shortfall of allied health professionals, with regional and rural areas disproportionately affected. Many communities struggle to access basic services such as speech therapy and mental health support, with waitlists stretching for months. The return of even a fraction of this dormant workforce could help plug the gaps, easing pressure on overstretched facilities and improving access to care across the state.

One allied health professional, who recently joined CARED after taking time off to care for her baby, described the platform as a game-changer. “Before CARED, I thought I’d have to wait years before returning to work. Now, I can see patients from home during nap times or in the evenings. I feel like I’m contributing to the health system again without sacrificing my family.”

The potential scale of this untapped workforce is staggering. Research indicates that more than 10% of allied health professionals leave their roles temporarily each year due to inflexible work arrangements, creating a cumulative shortfall that NSW cannot afford.“

The NSW health system is in crisis, but we have the skills and people to address it—if we give them the tools to succeed,” Amin said. “CARED provides the flexibility these professionals need to return to work, and the result is a healthier, more sustainable system for everyone.”

By reactivating this dormant workforce, CARED is offering more than a solution to shortages—it’s paving the way for a smarter, more inclusive approach to healthcare delivery.