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  4. Careers in Aged Care: 7 Things to Know in 2021 [Updated]
Published 12 Nov 2020

Careers in Aged Care: 7 Things to Know in 2021 [Updated]

by Olivia Blazevic

Becoming-an-Aged-Care-Worker_Feature

Taking care of older people in the aged care services industry may be one of the most demanding and challenging jobs within the health care sector. It also comes with plentiful rewards and opportunities that can lead to a gratifying career. If you’re passionate about helping people, moving into aged care is your chance to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Explore Aged Care Courses

  • Salary, Duties & Responsibilities

  • Types of Aged Care Jobs

  • Before You Start, Know This

  • Finding a Placement: Free Downloadable

  • Aged Care Qualifications

  • How to Become an Aged Carer

  • Why Be an Aged Carer?

  • Aged Care Skills and Attributes

swatch
Career Aged Care

1. Opportunity is abundant

The aged care industry is expanding at a pace like no other. Australia’s ageing population is growing, and demand for professional support workers is growing with it. 

Pre-COVID, the aged care looked set to double by the year 2050, and the Australian government predicted there would be about 179,000 job openings over five years – in what is already a vast sector. 

2020’s COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on some critical vulnerabilities in the residential aged care system and attracted widespread criticism of current policies. As a result of the Royal Commission, which will be released in February 2021, we’ll likely see some long-overdue restructuring soon. Possible changes include a shift toward  “smaller, community-run aged care homes,” and more home-based care. The sector is also desperately in need of more skilled, passionate carers to step in and help improve the quality of care and enable our older citizens to live the life of dignity they deserve.

What this means for you is that once qualified, you’ll have plentiful job opportunities. Carers are in demand across the country, so whether you’re based in NSW, Queensland, Victoria or Western Australia, can get employment in the sector quickly and get started building a successful, fulfilling aged care career. And it’s doubtful that you’ll have to worry about unemployment with this kind of demand, making aged care a future-proof career.


How to Start a Career in Aged Care

Always wanted to help people with your career? Here’s how to get into an industry where you can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Aged Care Worker Salary


$0,118

full-time per year average

Aged Care Worker Salary


$0/hr

part-time hourly average

Source: Payscale

Aged Care Worker Duties & Responsibilities

As an Aged Care Worker, your duties will revolve around supporting your clients’ wellbeing throughout their daily lives. You’ll follow an individual treatment plan for each client, and liaise with family other health professionals.

Duties and responsibilities for a Aged Care Worker include:

  • Accompanying client during daily activities
  • Assisting clients with their mobility
  • Preparing food
  • Organising social activities
  • Completing housekeeping tasks, i.e. vacuuming and cleaning
  • Assist in dressing and overall personal hygiene
  • Providing companionship, friendship and emotional support
  • Could do shopping and other errands
  • Could live in with the person

What Does “Duty of Care” Mean in Aged Care?

A duty of care refers to the responsibility not to cause harm to another person (that you could reasonably foresee). This applies in aged care, and across all the caring careers – whether that be childcare, disability or community services, healthcare, or allied health. A duty of care is the minimum ethical standard that you must not fall below, or else face legal consequences.

A standard of care goes beyond this minimum duty. A standard of care refers to the quality of care provided. For example, ensuring that someone not only has a bed — but also making sure the bed is comfortable to sleep on.

2. What is the Role of an Aged Care Worker?

There are many positions within the aged care industry to suit a variety of skills and personalities. There are careers in frontline support, administration, human resources, and catering as well as managerial and corporate roles. There are also a variety of situations you as a support worker can work within.

You may work as a personal carer with elderly persons or families with people who receive aged care. Career opportunities abound in community care where you can offer in-home care and services.

Alternately, you might work at a residential aged care facility, providing continuous nursing support. Or you might choose to work at a community-based aged care provider, or in respite care services for those at the end of their lives. 

Whether they work in community care, residential care or respite care, a support worker will report to the registered nurse or supervisor and work under their direction. With the appropriate professional development and career development opportunities, you can progress to supervisory roles and oversee other team members, or behind the scenes managing the overall operation of care facilities and support services.

Types of Jobs in Aged Care

  • Aged Care Worker

    As an Aged Care Worker, you will provide in-home support. This means that you’ll assist clients with their needs throughout the day, following an individual care plan. Some aged care workers live with the client and provide round-the-clock care, while others frequently visit to check on the client’s wellbeing and give care. The level of assistance you provide will vary with the client’s needs. Some clients may only require emotional support and companionship. Others may need personal care, such as keeping their living space clean and safe, helping with transport, shopping and cooking, and grooming, and showering; sometimes you’ll be required to lift clients or help them to walk.

    (also known as Personal Care Worker, Personal Carer, Personal Care Assistant)

    Average Salary $44,118 (up to $60,000)

    Source: Payscale

  • Residential Support Worker

    Residential Support Workers work in care facilities, whether that’s aged care homes or group homes for persons with disabilities. They look after everyday tasks that may be beyond the residents’ abilities, cooking, cleaning, overseeing activities and helping with transport, and responding to whatever needs the residents may have.

    Average Salary $51,385 (up to $61,000)

    Source: Payscale

  • Community Support Worker

    Community support workers provide care and lead fun activities for their clients in residential homes and community day programs. In this role, you’ll find yourself planning a calendar of activities like themed bingo, dancing, or book clubs. You’ll aim to keep older people interested in their hobbies, connected to their social circles, and staying active. While running the programs, you’ll monitor how your patients are doing and tailor the activities accordingly. Sometimes your duties will overlap with an Aged Care Worker, providing personal care when needed or taking your clients on outings. Community Support Workers can also work in other sectors, such as a disability and social services.
    Sometimes also known as Activities Officer or Lifestyle Worker.

    Average Salary $54,149 (up to $77,000)

    Source: Payscale

  • Care Manager

    Care Managers occupy the most senior position at aged care facilities. They are generally passionate, driven people who have worked in aged care for several years and built up plenty of experience. As leaders, they steer the whole ship, taking the big picture view of a facility’s operations, staff, residents, and the business. This role is more suited to those who thrive in management, rather than those who are solely passionate about clinical work. Still, you need both to succeed. Running an aged care facility is a weighty responsibility — Care Managers have their clients’ wellbeing in the palm of their hands, so this role requires a compassionate, emotionally intelligent person who puts people first.

    Avg Salary $96,500

    Source: Payscale

  • Assistant in Nursing (AIN)

    Also known as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) an assistant in nursing provides aid to other health professionals such as registered nurses and doctors in assisted living facilities and hospitals. In this role, you’ll be supporting the Registered Nurses and working under them. You will help with everyday tasks such as making beds, cleaning, administering medicine and reporting on patient health.

    Average Salary $48,990 (up to $60,000)

    Source: Payscale

  • Registered Nurse (RN)

    While registered nurses mostly work in hospitals or medical clinics, they also work in aged care facilities promoting health and wellness. Registered nurses must have either an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a license from the state board. Sometimes, they will travel to patients’ homes to provide care. Pathways from this role can include a Nurse Practitioner (NP), a more senior and independent nurse with in-depth knowledge of clinical care and the ability to diagnose and treat illness in patients.

    Average Salary $63,788 (up to $85,000)

    Source: Payscale

  • Home Care Nurse

    Home care nurses, like aged care nurses, provide medical services to patients, but they primarily work independently inside patient’s homes. Most times, their patients have a chronic illness or have complex medical needs. Home Care Nurses often work in shifts, including overnight and on the weekends. They are often the main companion for their clients, helping with mobility, basic personal care and meals, but also providing company and emotional support.

    Average Wage $25.50/hr (up to $30.25/hr)

    Source: Payscale


How to Become an Aged Care Nurse

Registered Nurses play one of the most critical roles when it comes to caring for the older adults in our society.

3. It’s Equal Parts Challenging and Rewarding

Without a doubt, working in the aged care sector can become an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career. However, it does come with its challenges both physically and emotionally. Caring for an aged person or one with a disability can have its physical demands. For example, if you are in a support role where you are required to provide hands-on assistance.

You may also be in a situation where you are required to manage someone with difficult behaviours or health issues, you may be working in an environment where you will experience grief and loss and you may be exposed to the emotion of friends and family throughout your career as a support worker.

Very Strong

Future Growth

 

Employment Size

0,800
 

Qualification

Cert III or IV

Source: Job Outlook

Aged Care
Gender Employment Share


Aged Care
Full-Time Worker Share


4. You’ll Need Specific Skills and Attributes

There are several key skills and attributes that aged care workers require to build a successful career in the industry. Employers lookout for those with a caring and supportive attitude, good communication skills, patience and discretion and physically fit. Embodying a positive outlook, having a high level of professionalism and showing a natural empathy towards the elderly or disabled are also desirable traits of an aged care worker.

Top 5 Skills for
an Aged Care Worker

Service Orientation
78% important
Social Perceptiveness
72% important
Active Listening
70% important
Speaking
65% important
Monitoring
62% important

Top 5 Knowledge Areas for
an Aged Care Worker

Customer & Personal Service
79% important
English Language
66% important
Psychology
60% important
Administration & Management
58% important
Transportation
54% important

5. There are Several Aged Care Qualifications

If you are planning to explore a career in aged care services, you might be wondering: what qualifications do I need to work in aged care services? There is a vast range of carer courses available to suit your needs.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Work In Aged Care?

While a qualification isn’t strictly required to work in aged care, gaining one will prepare you for working in the sector and enable you to begin working straight away. Many employers prefer workers with a qualification since they need less training and supervision to start with.

Whether you have the time to study full-time in class, or part-time via an aged care course online, there’s an option for you.

Whether you have the time to study full-time in class, or part-time via an aged care course online, there’s an option for you.

Available qualification types for aged care that can be studied at TAFE:

  • Certificate III in Aged Care

  • Certificate IV in Aged Care

  • Certificate III in Individual Support

  • Nursing Courses

Most Common Education Level for Aged Care Workers

Source: Job Outlook

Free downloadable checklist & guide

How to find an aged care student placement

6. There are Two Main Paths to Becoming a Carer

If you’re wondering how to become an aged carer, there are two main paths. You can study aged care, or take on a traineeship or apprenticeship.

In addition to your qualification, aged carers also need a first aid certificate. Some employers will require you to hold a driver’s license, a national police check, and manual handling training.


  • Study Aged Care

    If you choose to study aged care, most carers complete a VET Qualification in either Ageing Support or Individual Support. Specialisations and units covered vary across providers, so make sure to find out all the details for the courses you’re considering. Compare Aged Care Courses in Australia.

  • Traineeship

    A traineeship means that you can study and work at the same time, receiving formal and on-the-job training. These must be conducted through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and at the end you’ll receive a VET Qualification. Read more about Traineeships and Apprenticeships in Australia.


Need help putting together the perfect aged care resume? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Resumes for resume templates, samples, formatting tips and more.



Acing the Aged Care Job Interview

Interviewing for a job in aged care? Here’s what to expect.

7. You Will Be Making a Difference to Someone’s Life

If you love working with people and helping people a career in the aged care sector could be suitable for you. Working with the elderly or those with a disability that requires assistance can bring a huge amount of joy into someone else’s life.

You may become their personal assistant, their confidant, their emotional crutch, perhaps their cook or cleaner.

It’s more than just being a carer. Working in aged care gives you rewards that money can’t buy. You’ll go home each night knowing you have enhanced the lives of your clients. Maybe your care allows them to stay in their own home for as long as possible; perhaps you’re enabling them to have a better quality of life, providing them intensive support within a high care facility. Whatever path you choose, you’ll know that you’re making a difference every day.

Sometimes you need to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth – meet an Aged Care Worker and get an insight into what working in this industry is really like.

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