Shonal Labutte is an Associate Director in KPMG Advanced Analytics team, with 10 years of consulting experience helping governments use data and quantitative modelling to inform decision-making. As a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA) and Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA), Shonal combines rigorous analytical modelling with a robust risk management lens to help clients navigate complex policy and operational challenges. Specialising in Health and Ageing, she has supported organisations to forecast demand for services, assess workforce shortages, validate funding and pricing models, and evaluate the investment conditions needed to expand service capacity. She is passionate about translating data into actionable insights that drive better outcomes for governments, service providers and the communities they serve.
From Workforce Pressure to Financial Sustainability: Operational Efficiency Strategies for Aged Care Providers
Aged care providers across Australia are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, shaped by workforce shortages, rising labour costs, growing care complexity, and significant regulatory reform. At the same time, providers must deliver high-quality, person-centred care while maintaining financial sustainability in a constrained funding environment.
While financial sustainability is often pursued through cost control initiatives, the greatest opportunities frequently lie in improving operational efficiency and workforce effectiveness. Better visibility of demand, resource utilisation, care delivery processes and workforce performance can help providers reduce waste, improve productivity, enhance resident outcomes and create a more sustainable operating model.
This session will explore how aged care organisations can identify and address operational inefficiencies across key areas including workforce management, service delivery, governance, rostering, occupancy management, procurement, digital enablement and administrative processes. Drawing on real-world examples from across the aged care sector, we will share practical lessons from organisations that have successfully improved financial performance without compromising care quality or employee experience.
Attendees will gain insight into how data-driven decision making, stronger operational discipline and targeted transformation initiatives can unlock sustainable improvements in financial performance, workforce stability and service delivery outcomes. The session will demonstrate that operational efficiency is not simply about reducing costs; it is about creating capacity, resilience and sustainable value for residents, employees and the broader organisation.
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