Lavina Luboya has always wanted to help people and thought she had found the perfect job when she started working in aged care.

Key points: Ms Luboya told the royal commission regular understaffing meant she could not spend enough time with residents

Ms Luboya told the royal commission regular understaffing meant she could not spend enough time with residents She said the work was exhausting and she was worried about getting injured

She said the work was exhausting and she was worried about getting injured The commission also heard the Minister for Aged Care was told to ignore the findings of a taskforce to avoid political embarrassment

"Aged care is the end for a lot of residents," she said.

"A lot of the residents don't have family and we're their only families.

"I gain satisfaction in my job from seeing them smile and knowing that I have made a difference."

While in high school Ms Luboya did work experience in an aged care facility.

In 2015, she started studying nursing and three years later took a year off university to work full-time in aged care.

The 21-year-old told the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety she loved her work but understaffing and poor equipment at her two facilities in Western Australia had left her sore and exhausted.

"I normally work between 60 to 65 hours," she said.

"During the morning shift at both facilities there isn't enough time to spend with each resident."

Ms Luboya said she wanted to see staffing levels improve. ( ABC News: John Gunn )

She said she spent 10 to 15 minutes with each resident and was "constantly rushing".

She said one of the aged care facilities she worked at was short-staffed three or four times a week.

"When we work short-staffed, consideration about safety goes in the bin. Even the management are aware that we are short," she said.

"We feel like they expect for us to make miracles and safety is not considered.

"It is really hard working [short-staffed] in high care as a lot of people are two-assist, which means they have to use two staff for part of their care needs.

"In particular you need two people to lift them in or out of the bed or a chair."

Are you worried about aged care in Australia? The aged care royal commission continues and so does our investigation. Let us know if you have a story or issue you'd like the ABC to look into. Email aged.care@abc.net.au to tell us your story.

Ms Luboya said faulty, or lacking, equipment also made shifts difficult.

"I really like what I am doing but I'm not sure about the future and the pay could be a lot better but for now it's okay," she said.

"I'm considering other options because I'm always exhausted after my shifts.

"My back and my shoulder are always sore and I worry that if I [injure] my back while I am young, I won't be able to get a job after that."

She said her older work colleagues are more blunt with their advice.

"They tell me to leave every day, every shift — 'leave, leave, don't break your back, don't break your back' — that's what they constantly tell me."

Ms Luboya said she was worried staff shortages were meaning residents were not getting quality care. ( ABC News: Nic MacBean )

But she said she would remain in the aged care sector if staffing levels improved.

"Yes I would stay because then I'd be a lot happier, that everyone was getting the quality care they deserve," she said.

Minister told to ignore findings to avoid embarrassment

The commission heard evidence on Thursday about how aged care workers who abused patients could fall through the cracks, including one worker who was warned three times and was still able to keep working.

Testimony shed light on what commissioner Tony Pagone called a fragmented regulatory system, where complaints against aged care workers were handled differently in different jurisdictions.

Queensland's Health Ombudsman testified that if staff behaviour posed a serious risk it could consider a prohibition order.

But Victoria's Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack told the hearing that due to confidentiality requirements, it cannot take any action.

She said the complainant would be encouraged to go to the national Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).

But Executive Director Shona Reid testified the ACQSC did not take action against individuals — only aged care providers.

"Were you aware before today that the Victoria Health Complaints Commissioner thinks complaints about the conduct of an individual in aged care … should be dealt with by your agency?" she was asked.

"I became aware … in the lead-up to this commission. Before that, I didn't [know]."

The royal commission also heard evidence that government advisers recommended the Minister for Aged Care not endorse the findings of its own aged care taskforce, to avoid political risk and embarrassment.

On Monday Professor John Pollaers — who heads the Workforce Strategy Taskforce — testified there'd been no formal response to a taskforce he chaired, despite the fact it was commissioned by the Government.

Counsel assisting, Peter Rozen, questioned Glenys Beauchamp from the Department of Health about a department briefing note that advised the minister to embrace the report findings in 2018.

"The department was advising the government of political risks and potential embarrassment rather than advising the Government that it ought to be publicly embracing … the taskforce report?" he asked.

"On this particular occasion, yes. But we provide a range of advice for the minister," Ms Beauchamp said.

This is the last day of three weeks of royal commission hearings in Melbourne.

The royal commission will next meet in Mudgee, NSW, next month, when it will focus on the provision of aged care in regional and remote areas, before moving to Hobart.