Personal carer job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed personal carers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed personal carers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a personal carer
Personal carers provide individualised support to people who have disabilities or special needs. The role can involve anything from assisting with household tasks and personal hygiene requirements to administering medication.
A personal care worker job description can include:
- Providing home care services, emotional support for clients that have special requirements
- Monitoring changes to the clients physical and mental health and recording findings
- Assisting with personal hygiene, showering and personal care
- Assisting clients with various activities
- Maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the client's home
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
As an essential part of the community, personal care workers make a dramatic difference to the wellbeing of vulnerable people. In a role as a personal carer, you facilitate independence for the individuals you work with and allow them to live their best lives.
Enjoyable
No day in personal caring is the same as the last. Each client has a unique story to tell and can provide emotional bonds that often turn into lifelong friendships.
Flexible hours
Shift work is extremely common for personal carers. If you’re looking for a flexible job that will give you the work-life balance you crave, this is a perfect career choice.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a personal carer
Jobs in the support and care sectors aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The health care and social assistance industry as a whole is the largest Australian employing industry. As part of this industry and with around 89,000 people employed in care roles in 2020, there’s strong projected growth to 2025.
With 33% of workers in a full-time role, it’s a perfect role for someone wanting flexibility in their career.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A job as a personal carer can be perfect for a permanent or long-time career, but it can also be a great starting point and open up opportunities in other roles.
Possible pathways could be:
Junior
-
Personal care assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Personal carer
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Home care assistance
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Residential care worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015)
Mid
-
Disability services manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
-
Lifestyle coordinator
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115)
Senior
-
Senior aboriginal community care worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT40113)
-
Care manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working in a support role for vulnerable people requires a robust set of essential soft skills. These naturally developed interpersonal skill sets create trust and rapport with clients.
Ideal interpersonal carer skills:
Empathetic
Your natural empathy and compassion are a huge asset to a job in personal care. Not only do clients benefit from your genuine care, you also gain real fulfilment and joy in the job.
Observant
As a personal carer, you need to pick up on any slight changes in a client’s mental or physical state to help them. You also need a keen eye around the client’s home for any hazards.
Communication skills
Clients with special needs can sometimes have complex communication requirements. Natural patience and good communication skills are essential in a personal carer role.
Active listening
Sometimes verbal communication can be a challenge for clients. The ability to pick up on body language and other non-verbal cues is key to understanding your clients’ needs.
Passion for helping others
Your passion and desire to help others achieve independence and reach their goals is your motivation. Getting up and going to work every day is easy and exciting when you’re driven by a desire to help.
Organisation
In a personal carer role, you are relied on to be on top of all aspects of care your clients require. Having good organisational skills means your client can relax in the knowledge that you have everything under control.
Time-management
Your client relies on you being where you need to be, on time. For example, your client may have a doctor’s appointment to get to and depends on you to transport them there.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Vocational training can equip you with a solid foundation in skills and the confidence to work as a personal carer.
Some personal carer skills you need:
First-aid
A first-aid certificate provides you with confidence, skills and procedures to deal with many health emergencies that may happen in your workday.
Healthcare knowledge
A broad understanding of health procedures and healthy body systems ensures you can assist your client with basic healthcare needs.
Reporting
A job as a personal carer involves following care plans, keeping clear records and reporting on client condition information. Strong skills in administration and reporting skills are essential to the safety of the client and the efficiency of your service.
Enabling technologies
Many clients have access to equipment and technology that can assist them in tasks. You must know how these technologies work and teach a client how to use them.
Safe work practices
A personal carer must know how to operate safely in their work environment to benefit their client, themselves and anyone else around them.
Support work is the best job in the world. You go to work to hang out with people, and you get to show them life — how cool is that?!
Laura Green
Executive Director, Victoria, ONCALL Group
How to become a personal carer
-
Study
A qualification in individual support or disability through a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO) provides you with the core practical skills and relevant work experience to begin a career in personal care. An ideal qualification for this role is a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015). Courses can be taken through Australian apprenticeship programs.
-
Volunteer
Offering your time to an aged care or disability support facility gives you access to hands-on experience and provides you valuable insight into a role in personal care.
-
Police check and Working with Children Check
Most employers and training organisations require you to complete a National Police and Working with Children’s check. These checks are quick, easy and can be processed entirely online.
Explore related qualifications
Completing a course in individual support or disability care helps to establish essential skills for personal carer role:
Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care)
This course provides the skills to enter an entry-level position where you can support individuals in residential care, hospitals and community-based settings.
This course includes units in communication and working in health or community services, individualised support, healthy body systems, working with diverse people, and supporting independence and wellbeing.
The average course duration is 35 weeks but can be studied part-time or as part of a traineeship. Course delivery can be a combination of online and in-class formats, and this course includes a mandatory 120-hour work placement unit.
As with most vocational courses, many providers offer payment plans and financial assistance, and fee concessions are available for eligible learners.
20 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Disability
in clients’ homes. They facilitate empowerment, independence, community participation, and wellbeing.
Disability support workers with this qualification usually work without direct supervision. They may also be required to supervise or coordinate small teams in a leadership role.
The average course duration is one year but can be studied part-time. Course delivery can depend on the course provider, but many have blended learning formats. This course includes a 120-hour work placement requirement.
Payment plans are available from most providers, and fee concessions are available to eligible learners.
11 providers offer this course
Related subjects
There are plenty of other roles within healthcare and social assistance that need new, enthusiastic workers over the next few years.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Biliana
Sep 24 2021Very busy schedule but getting to know clients is fun.
What are the best parts of the job?
Talking to people from different backgrounds and learning more about their life and culture.
What's the most challenging part?
Have to work within a set timeframe and clients are often back-to-back.
Emily
Sep 24 2021Rewarding when I am able to keep clients satisfied.
What are the best parts of the job?
The best part of the job is being able to help people and make a positive impact on their life.
What's the most challenging part?
Keeping people happy when I can only do so much is sometimes a challenge.
Hannah
Sep 25 2021Caring career I enjoy but some residents can be challenging.
What are the best parts of the job?
I care for elderly people in residental aged care with dementia, which is a rewarding role that I enjoy. I take pride in knowing that my career involves helping those in need.
What's the most challenging part?
Aggressive residents who are unfamiliar with certain carers or don't know where they are. It can be a challenge to calm them and help them feel safe.
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Becoming a personal carer is a career choice that is both fulfilling and perfectly suited to your personality. Find out more about this incredible industry and access all the information you need to get your dream career started.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A job as a personal carer, working to support and assist vulnerable people is best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer employs a humane approach to their work and thrives in positions that work directly with people or animals, requiring empathy and compassion.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a personal carer earn?
An overview of the salary expectations of a personal carer in Australia are:
What makes a good personal carer?
A good personal carer has strong social skills, tons of empathy, and particular skills in caring for vulnerable or older people.
What does a personal carer do?
Personal carers provide support for vulnerable individuals who have disabilities or special needs. Personal carers assist with daily tasks such as administering education, helping with household duties, assisting with hygiene and monitoring their client’s health.
What skills do you need to be a personal carer?
To be a successful personal carer, you must be passionate about helping others and have a caring, empathetic personality. Skills such as good communication and time management are required to be a personal carer, along with the ability to work under pressure and make decisions.