Australia’s population is ageing fast – with the number of people aged 85 years and over projected to double in size to over 1 million in the next 25 years. Because of these figures, the aged care industry in Austalia is set to boom, with an employment growth of 25.2% expected over the next decade. The 2024 market has seen a 2.4% rise in residential care services, as well as a 1.8% increase in home care providers.

With high-quality care staff urgently needed across the sector, new government initiatives are looking to expand the workforce by creating more accessible opportunities, providing funding, and introducing better support measures for workers.

If you want a career where you’re making a difference, aged care might be perfect for you. Taking care of elderly people when they need you most is the main focus of an aged care worker, and many find the profession incredibly fulfilling.

You’ll also experience great job security, an average annual salary of $87,923 per year, with higher salaries for experienced workers, as well as further study and career progression opportunities. For example, you could decide to undertake an advanced qualification or a nursing degree – which opens doors to higher-level and higher-paying positions in the field.

There are various aged care jobs available in Australia, from support workers to personal care assistants and registered nurses. Here’s an overview of some of the roles you can expect to find, the required qualifications and potential career growth opportunities:

• Aged Care Worker – Provide a wide range of services to elderly people, such as assisting with daily living tasks, supporting emotional wellbeing and helping with personal care. Work in both residential and community settings. Required qualifications include a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care) or a Certificate IV in Ageing Support for roles with additional responsibilities.
• Support Worker – Complete support tasks in client’s homes or residential settings – providing companionship, assisting with household duties, managing medication, monitoring health issues and providing personal care. Required qualifications include a Certificate III or Certificate IV. Home support workers also need a driving license.
• Registered Nurse – Provide different types of clinical care from administrating medication to managing injuries, developing care plans, monitoring patient health and liaising with families and other healthcare professionals. Required qualifications include a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent qualification and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
• Allied Healthcare Assistant – Provide support within the allied healthcare professions such as physiotherapy, audiology and speech and language therapy. You could assist with routines and rehabilitation, complete admin tasks and report on patient progress. Required qualifications include a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.
• Care Manager – Oversee care delivery in an aged care setting by managing staff, creating care plans, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and handling operational duties. Required qualifications usually include a Diploma of Nursing or other qualifications in management or aged care.

If you want to find aged care jobs in Australia, there are a few different strategies available. Remember, it’s important to tailor your resume and cover letter to any job you’re applying to. Follow our tips to locate the perfect role:

1. Search Online Job Boards
   Online job boards like Indeed and Seek are a great way to find aged care jobs in 2024. You can view all the latest job postings and filter your search to find a specific role, location or employment classification such as full-time or part-time.
2. Check Company Websites
   Many companies in Australia post new job opportunities directly on their website. Research some of the top care providers then head over to their site where you can learn more about the job role and the employer. Find out about the company culture, reputation and career growth opportunities to decide whether they’re right for you before applying.
3. Sign Up To Recruitment Agencies
   When you’re trying to find aged care jobs, it’s worth registering with Australian healthcare recruitment agencies like Healthcare Australia. These agencies can put you in touch with a variety of companies that have recruitment opportunities and help match you with your ideal role.
4. Engage in Networking Opportunities
   When you’ve completed your qualifications in aged care, you should join professional associations, such as the Aged Care Industry Association (ACIA) for access to all the latest job opportunities and industry updates. It’s also a good idea to set up your LinkedIn profile – where you can connect with fellow aged care professionals.

Choosing a reputable online job platform makes it much easier to quickly and effectively find quality roles that are right for you. Some of the top job search platforms that are tailored to aged care positions include:

• Indeed – Latest job listings from various sources with company reviews and expected salaries.
• Seek – Australia’s most popular job search platform with numerous diverse aged care roles.
• Aged Care Jobs – Specialised platform for the aged care sector with targeted job listings.
• Healthcare Australia (HCA) – Provides many different healthcare and aged care opportunities across varied locations.
• Local Goverment Websites – Check your local government website for aged care listings in your area.

When using online platforms to find aged care jobs, create a sector-specific profile that highlights all your relevant work experience and qualifications. Write a summary of your major achievements and demonstrate what you can bring to the aged care industry. Also, make sure to carefully read the job description to check that your resume and cover letter address all the required competencies of the role.

When preparing for aged care job interviews, you need to make sure you’re able to present yourself as a caring and professional individual. Before your interview, practice common interview questions and prepare a clean, neat and appropriate interview outfit – most aged care positions require smart casual or business attire. Here are some of the most common interview questions for aged care roles:

• Why do you want to work in aged care?
• What experience do you have in aged care?
• How do you manage challenging situations?
• Can you tell me about a time you had to work as part of a team?
• How will you prioritise tasks when working with multiple clients?
• What steps do you take to ensure dignity and privacy?

As an aged care worker, you’ll generally work in either a residential care facility, nursing home, or in a client’s home. You’ll work with a multidisciplinary team of colleagues, from registered nurses to allied health professionals and administrative staff. Aged care culture is centred around empathy and respect – with close adherence to regulatory standards required at all times.

Many residents have diverse needs, and you’ll be trained to handle a range of challenging situations. Because the environment can be stressful, it’s important to take care of your health and well-being and manage an effective work-life balance. To give you an idea of what to expect, let’s take a look at some of the key responsibilities of aged care workers:

• Helping with daily living tasks (showering, dressing, preparing meals, etc.).
• Providing social/emotional support and companionship.
• Completing administrative duties like maintaining records and monitoring behaviour.
• Responding to emergency situations, medical issues and injuries.

Networking is crucial for finding aged care jobs and advancing your career. To build a strong professional network in the field, you should join professional associations, attend industry events and use social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with relevant aged care groups and engage in discussions. These methods can help you form strong industry relationships and locate better employment and training opportunities.

Australia is experiencing a growing demand for dedicated aged care workers – so if you’re passionate about improving the lives of the elderly population, it’s time to begin your job search. By following the expert advice in this article, you’ll be able to leverage the right job platforms and expand your network to find aged care jobs that offer excellent progression and great benefits. Get started today by subscribing to job alerts or reaching out to recruitment agencies. Secure a fulfilling new career in the aged care sector and transform lives!