First Aussie to be banned from working with elderly

A mum-of-eight has become the first aged care worker to be banned from working with elderly people in Australia. Here’s why she’s facing court.

EXCLUSIVE: A grandmother and mum-of-eight has become the first aged care worker to be banned from working with old people in Australia.

Bobbie Albertella, 51, was listed on the aged care watchdog’s new Banning Order Register, with the ban effective from January 1.

The Queensland mum who lives in Townsville has been charged with more than a dozen offences for allegedly stealing off her elderly clients.

She was arrested and charged in December with 17 offences, including 16 fraud charges and one count of stealing.

Bobbie Albertella, 51, has been charged with fraud after allegedly stealing money from elderly people at the aged care centre where she worked.

Police will allege the woman stole cash from her elderly patients, and racked up thousands of dollars in multiple transactions on a patient’s credit card in November and December last year.

Ms Albertella was working at The Good Shepherd Home in Annandale, but has since been sacked.

Director of Care Leonie O’Neill said they terminated Albertella’s employment on December 29, immediately after finding out about her charges and had sent a letter to residents and their families advising them of the situation.

Ms O’Neill said they were checking on impacted residents to see if they needed support, and would refer them to seek help if required.

“The Good Shepherd Home’s Management have been monitoring and assisting the police in their investigations,” Ms O’Neill said.

Ms Albertella will face Townsville Magistrates Court on January 31.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson, who is responsible for the new register, said the Queensland Police Service and an aged care provider had contacted them about Ms Albertella, “raising allegations that may place aged care consumers at risk”.

Bobbie Albertella will face Townsville Magistrates Court on January 31.

“On 31 December 2022, the Commission made a Banning Order against Ms Albertella in order to prevent any risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of consumers receiving care from her,” Ms Anderson said.

“The Banning Order prohibits Ms Albertella from engaging in, providing or being involved in the provision of aged care.

“The behaviour of aged care workers directly impacts people receiving aged care.”

Employers have a responsibility to check the Bannings Order Register to ensure they don’t employ individuals on the list.

Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear said the register was introduced in December following a recommendation by the Royal Commission.

“This is about the rights of older people to live free of abuse and neglect,” Mr Gear said.

“The majority of people that work in aged care have the right attitude and skills.

“There’s a small cohort that should not work with the elderly.”

The banning order is the commission’s most serious enforcement action against an individual.

A similar register exists for disability workers in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

News Corp attempted to contact Albertella for comment.

Originally published as First Aussie to be banned from working with elderly