Katalis supports bilateral trade and investment between Indonesia and Australia, including in the care economy. In the Care Champions series, Katalis Lead Trade and GESI Adviser Holly Lard Krueger catches up with leading advocates from both countries to share their insights on this growing sector. In this interview, Prof. lrene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University, shares her thoughts on why advocating for the care economy is important. She also highlights the most promising opportunities for bilateral trade and investment, and offers valuable advice for care businesses looking to seize these exciting prospects.

Championing Care

Care is something many of us take for granted–something usually done out of kindness. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically shifted our perspectives on care, says Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University. She believes that the pandemic showed the value of care. She also believes that as our society’s needs evolve and become more complex, so too does the nature of care. Today’s care sector requires not only compassion, but also skill, innovation and investment.

“People do not pay much attention to care, but the care economy is the largest and fastest growing industry in Australia.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

This is where the Care Economy Research Institute (CERI) at La Trobe University fits in. As director, Irene leads a world class, multi-disciplinary research team focused on improving health and well-being across Australia. At the heart of CERI’s mission is a commitment to innovating within the care sector. Irene views embracing innovation as central to addressing the complex and evolving needs of the sector. She points out that some Australian care service providers still rely on outdated administrative systems like paper filing, fax machines and PDFs. This lack of modern infrastructure prevents them from using the valuable data being created to inform decision-making. For Irene, who has spent her career researching the health and aged care sectors, this represents a significant lost opportunity for learning and advancement.

“We need to invest in research and learning to enable our workforce to deliver better quality care for people.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Now more than ever, Irene says there is a critical need for more research, innovation and sharing in Australia. Care services operate in silos and there is a widespread lack of communication. This disjointed structure not only creates competition for resources and workers, but also means care participants must navigate multiple systems to access the care they need. For Irene, the resulting complicated nature of care and limitations on the sector’s effectiveness, underscores the urgent need for greater collaboration and integrated solutions.

High Potential Bilateral Trade and Investment Opportunities

Irene shared a number of key trade and investment opportunities between Australia and Indonesia in the care sector, from education to workforce mobility.

First, Irene considers Australia’s well developed education system to have strong export potential. She sees demand for Australian workforce education and training across all levels, from certificate courses and diplomas to university programs.

“Education is probably Australia’s highest potential export for the care economy.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Many Indonesians already travel to Australia for study and working holiday opportunities. While those with Australian qualifications can gain work experience and be registered, people without Australian qualifications need additional training and education to work in Australia. Irene suggests that more collaboration between Indonesian and Australian education providers–both universities and registered training organisations–will help Indonesians obtain a relevant qualification to succeed in the Australian workforce.

“The care work experience in early childhood education and care, disability to aged care in Australia would enable Indonesians to apply skills they acquired to benefit improvements in Indonesia’s care economy” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Irene highlights digital technology as another area with considerable potential for trade and investment. Australia is already a leader in digital technology and innovations, particularly in HealthTech and other care-related technologies. Irene notes Indonesia’s large consumer markets offer a compelling commercial opportunity for Australian digital technology firms.

Beyond trade in goods and services, Irene also emphasises the importance of knowledge sharing. With decades of experience, and trial and error, in providing health, social support, early childhood education and aged care services, Australia has accumulated a wealth of valuable insights. Irene recognises there is tremendous value in sharing this expertise with other countries, like Indonesia, that are seeking to improve and expand their own health and social support services.

“Sharing knowledge is important so that we don’t reinvent the wheel.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

At the same time, Irene stresses that Australia can learn a lot from Indonesia, especially regarding in-home care services for older adults. In Australia, most older adults live at home, and people tend to want to age at home as long as they can. This is counter to the widely held perception that most older Australians live in residential aged care. Irene suggests that the Australian Government could benefit from studying how Indonesia and other Asian countries, with large older populations, are developing policies and services to support older adults and their families with in-home care services.

“We are going to see an increase in demand for home care services, we could learn more about how Indonesians and other Asian countries support the older generation to stay at home.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Irene also believes Australia could gain from closer collaboration with Indonesia to support the mobility of the Indonesian care workforce. Indonesia’s large care workforce presents a comparative advantage, especially because the care sector continues to rely on people, despite advancements in innovations and technology.

“We need a person, a human being to actually coordinate or control how the care is being delivered. – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Different strategies for businesses

Irene’s experience gives her a unique insight into potential effective business strategies. For Indonesian businesses looking to enter the Australian care sector, Irene recommends close attention to relevant policies and regulations. Australia’s care sector is very highly regulated, with a heavy focus on protection due to the vulnerability of people needing care.

“Understanding the policy and regulations across the various care sectors is critical.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

At the same time, Irene stresses that Australian businesses seeking to enter Indonesia must understand the local context. She recommends that businesses adapt their products and services to ensure cultural relevance and alignment with Indonesian preferences.

“The environment is different, the culture is different, the people are different.  At the same time, Indonesians are themselves multi-cultural, so it’s not one size fits all.” – Prof. Irene Blackberry, John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University

Above all, Irene emphasises the need for both Australian and Indonesian businesses to tailor care to the individual needs of their clients, while being compliant with regulations. Her vision for the future of the bilateral care economy foregrounds innovation, tailored solutions and cross-border collaboration between Australia and Indonesia to strengthen their care sectors and improve the lives of care participants.

Katalis supports enhanced bilateral trade and collaboration between Indonesia and Australia, including in the care economy. Check out our ‘economics of care’ page for links to our webinar series and briefing papers on opportunities in aged care, healthcare and early childhood education and care (ECEC).

About

Professor Irene Blackberry is the John Richards Chair and Director of Care Economy Research Institute (CERI) at La Trobe University, Australia. She has over 20 years of research experience across the care economy in Australia and abroad, predominantly in healthcare, aged care and informal care sectors. At CERI, she leads a multidisciplinary team of 100+ researchers around care technology, workforce, delivery, experience, and social economics and policy of care. She leads the Care Economy Collaborative Network of 100+ industry, policymakers, and community partners. Irene is on the editorial board of several international journals and expert advisors to government and not-for-profit organisations. She holds a bachelor’s degree and PhD in Medicine and a postgraduate study in Program and Economic Evaluation.