Host: Ryan Banting, Executive General Manager, Social Infrastructure, Australian Unity

Guests:

· Dr David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy and the Social Economy at RMIT

· Prue Bowden, Group Executive—Home Health, Australian Unity

In this powerful episode, we delve right into the heart of Australia’s care economy—where aged care, disability support, childcare, and health services intersect with infrastructure, policy, and people.

Prue Bowden and Dr David Hayward unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the care workforce, the urgent need for reform, and the ethical foundations of care that go beyond economics.

From the rise of hospital-in-the-home models to the limitations of ‘market-driven’ care, this conversation explores how we can reimagine care delivery for a growing and ageing population.

With over 60,000 Australians receiving home care through Australian Unity, Prue shares how innovation, workforce strategy, and community value are shaping the future of care.

David then challenges conventional thinking on productivity and calls for a shift toward valuing relationships and ethics in care.

Whether you're a policymaker, investor, carer, or someone who cares, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the infrastructure that provides the foundation for the functioning of society.

Key Quotes

David Hayward on the Care Economy

On the evolution of care:

“It’s really a story of moving from a largely not-for-profit enterprise undertaken by women… to something we now recognize as a vital economic activity.”

On the value of care work:

“It’s an economic activity every bit as valuable, if not more valuable, than what takes place in the industrial economy—like building cars or houses.”

Prue Bowden on providing care into the home

“You create a culture and a workforce that is free and able to build ethical relationships with their customers… seeing that person as a human who is also increasingly very lonely in their home environment.”

On reform and customer expectations:

“We’re using the settings of support at home to shape the right conversation with the customer about how they invest in their care… to make sure they can not just live longer—but live well for longer.”

On global comparisons:

“If you compare Australia to other countries around the world, we actually fall behind in terms of how we’ve embraced alternate models like hospital care in the home.”

Australian Unity’s Community & Social Value Framework quantifies the impact of care on wellbeing and system savings. Read our Impact Report www.australianunity.com.au/our-impact

Important information

The information contained in this podcast is general information only and contains information in summary form.

The information contained in this podcast is not, and is not intended to be, an offer or invitation for subscription or sale, or promotion or advertisement of, financial products or services of any kind, or advice or a recommendation of any kind.

It is not intended as, and is not intended to be relied upon as, financial product advice and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular investor or any other person.

No warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither the Australian Unity group of companies, or any of their respective employees or any other person, accept any liability for any claim in respect of anything stated in this podcast, and of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by any person acting in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the contents of this podcast.

In deciding whether to acquire, continue to hold or dispose of any units in any Australian Unity fund which may be referred to in the podcast, an investor should obtain a copy of the relevant offering document or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) (if applicable) and consider whether these products are appropriate, based on their own independent review and should seek professional advice as deemed appropriate, considering the nature and extent of any investment, economic, legal, regulatory, tax, and/or accounting risks, and the consequences of an investment in the relevant financial.

A copy of the offering document, PDS and Target Market Determination (as the case may be) of any Australian Unity fund referred to in the podcast is available at https://www.australianunity.com.au/wealth

Australian Unity Funds Management Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permission of the publishers.

Host: Ryan Banting, Executive General Manager, Social Infrastructure, Australian Unity
Guests:
&middot; Dr David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy and the Social Economy at RMIT
&middot; Prue Bowden, Group Executive&mdash;Home Health, Australian Unity
In this powerful episode, we delve right into the heart of Australia&rsquo;s care economy&mdash;where aged care, disability support, childcare, and health services intersect with infrastructure, policy, and people.
Prue Bowden and Dr David Hayward unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the care workforce, the urgent need for reform, and the ethical foundations of care that go beyond economics.
From the rise of hospital-in-the-home models to the limitations of &lsquo;market-driven&rsquo; care, this conversation explores how we can reimagine care delivery for a growing and ageing population.
With over 60,000 Australians receiving home care through Australian Unity, Prue shares how innovation, workforce strategy, and community value are shaping the future of care.
David then challenges conventional thinking on productivity and calls for a shift toward valuing relationships and ethics in care.
Whether you're a policymaker, investor, carer, or someone who cares, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the infrastructure that provides the foundation for the functioning of society.
Key Quotes
David Hayward on the Care Economy
On the evolution of care:
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really a story of moving from a largely not-for-profit enterprise undertaken by women&hellip; to something we now recognize as a vital economic activity.&rdquo;
On the value of care work:
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an economic activity every bit as valuable, if not more valuable, than what takes place in the industrial economy&mdash;like building cars or houses.&rdquo;
Prue Bowden on providing care into the home
&ldquo;You create a culture and a workforce that is free and able to build ethical relationships with their customers&hellip; seeing that person as a human who is also increasingly very lonely in their home environment.&rdquo;
On reform and customer expectations:
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re using the settings of support at home to shape the right conversation with the customer about how they invest in their care&hellip; to make sure they can not just live longer&mdash;but live well for longer.&rdquo;
On global comparisons:
&ldquo;If you compare Australia to other countries around the world, we actually fall behind in terms of how we&rsquo;ve embraced alternate models like hospital care in the home.&rdquo;
Australian Unity&rsquo;s Community &amp; Social Value Framework quantifies the impact of care on wellbeing and system savings. Read our Impact Report www.australianunity.com.au/our-impact
Important information
The information contained in this podcast is general information only and contains information in summary form.
The information contained in this podcast is not, and is not intended to be, an offer or invitation for subscription or sale, or promotion or advertisement of, financial products or services of any kind, or advice or a recommendation of any kind.
It is not intended as, and is not intended to be relied upon as, financial product advice and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation, or needs of any particular investor or any other person.
No warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither the Australian Unity group of companies, or any of their respective employees or any other person, accept any liability for any claim in respect of anything stated in this podcast, and of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by any person acting in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the contents of this podcast.
In deciding whether to acquire, continue to hold or dispose of any units in any Australian Unity fund which may be referred to in the podcast, an investor should obtain a copy of the relevant offering document or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) (if applicable) and consider whether these products are appropriate, based on their own independent review and should seek professional advice as deemed appropriate, considering the nature and extent of any investment, economic, legal, regulatory, tax, and/or accounting risks, and the consequences of an investment in the relevant financial.
A copy of the offering document, PDS and Target Market Determination (as the case may be) of any Australian Unity fund referred to in the podcast is available at <a href="https://www.australianunity.com.au/wealth">https://www.australianunity.com.au/wealth</a>
Australian Unity Funds Management Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permission of the publishers.

Australians are changing. By 2042, the number of Australians over 85 will double to over one million. There’ll be greater rates of chronic disease, more people requiring specialist aged care, more people living with disability. By 2041, there’ll also be six million more people living in this country. Our nation will require more hospital beds, childcare centres, disability housing, student accommodation, seniors living and other housing. For the sake of our future community, it’s time for open conversations about what infrastructure we must deliver and who will deliver it. This podcast is a forum for expert-led conversation on Australia’s growing and changing population and future community requirements, and ideas for building the necessary social infrastructure to meet our needs.

Australians are changing. By 2042, the number of Australians over 85 will double to over one million. There&rsquo;ll be greater rates of chronic disease, more people requiring specialist aged care, more people living with disability. By 2041, there&rsquo;ll also be six million more people living in this country. Our nation will require more hospital beds, childcare centres, disability housing, student accommodation, seniors living and other housing. For the sake of our future community, it&rsquo;s time for open conversations about what infrastructure we must deliver and who will deliver it. This podcast is a forum for expert-led conversation on Australia&rsquo;s growing and changing population and future community requirements, and ideas for building the necessary social infrastructure to meet our needs.

Advertisement