22 Apr Exploring Aged Care Jobs: A Comprehensive Guide
When you reach a certain age, you may need a helping hand, a kind soul to talk to, or someone to make your life a little easier. That’s where the aged care industry comes in to help our elderly citizens and positively impact their lives. With millions of elderly citizens across Australia, with an estimated increase of up to 23% by 2066, there is a high demand for more aged carers.
There are various aspects to an aged care career, all of which will help make a positive change in society. If you’re already an aged carer or looking for a new career opportunity, this is the right place. In this article, you’ll learn all about aged care jobs, what they entail, and salary expectations. We’ll also point you in the right direction on where to look for your next role.
The importance of aged care jobs
Working in the aged care industry is highly rewarding. Each day, you’ll positively impact someone or multiple people’s lives. There are many benefits to pursuing aged care jobs, especially if you are naturally good with people. The aged care sector benefits both you and the elderly clients.
Reasons why you should pursue aged care jobs:
1). High demand: Australia has a high demand for skilled professionals in the care sector. The market needs people wanting to join the industry, so there is an opportunity to find the perfect role that suits you.
2). Variety of career options: There are various roles suited to many people, all of which make a difference for our elderly citizens. So, if you want a more hands-on aged care job or want to work behind the scenes, there is a demand for various skill sets.
3). Personal fulfilment: If you want to change the world, aged care jobs can help you do so closer to home. You could help aged individuals across Australia, making their lives more comfortable. You can go to work knowing you are impacting seniors and their families. You’ll have the opportunity to create meaningful connections.
4). Transferable skills: Should you want to change careers, aged care jobs provide you with many skills to help you in other sectors and roles. You’ll gain valuable skills like effective communication, problem-solving, empathy, time management, and more.
5). Supportive workplace: Aged care professionals work in tight-knit teams, collaborating and providing a support network for each other and their clients. You can work knowing you can trust your colleagues, and together, you can benefit from a nurturing atmosphere where you always feel listened to and cared for.
What are the different aged care jobs in Australia?
There are a variety of job roles you can find in the aged care sector. No two job roles are the same, but they all share the same goal: empowering and aiding elderly citizens. To help you decide which area to pursue, we’ve compiled a list of all the potential aged care job roles you can apply for.
1. Aged Care Support Worker
As an aged care worker, you’ll primarily work with clients who live in their own homes and need help with daily tasks such as personal care, running errands, cooking, and cleaning. All clients will have different needs depending on their health and mobility; realistically, no two clients will be exactly the same. Some clients may need assistance for entire days, whereas others may require your help for a couple of hours a week.
Aged care support workers help fulfil client needs and empower them to live dignified lives. There is a lot of one-to-one contact, so you will come to know your clients well and create meaningful connections.
Typically, the annual salary expectations of an aged care support worker range from entry-level positions starting at $70,931 up to $130,778 as an experienced worker.
2. Residential Aged Care Support Worker
As a residential care aged worker, you’ll provide long-term care for clients who stay in a residential setting. Residential care is for senior Australians who are unable to live in their own homes, so they live in accommodation with 24-hour access to personal care, nursing, and general health services. Residential care helps older people maintain their health and well-being and gives them the option to be part of a community.
As a residential carer, you will be part of a team that collectively looks after a group of elderly citizens. Your days may differ, but typically, the roles include personal care, health care, and helping them in ways they need, such as cleaning, cooking laundry, bathing, dressing, and helping your clients go to the toilet should they need it.
As a residential aged carer, you can earn up to $97,485 annually. Entry-level positions start at $55 931.
3. Aged Community Support Worker
As a community support worker, you help your clients be social and provide emotional support and entertainment. You’ll help keep your clients engaged and promote socialisation in the residential home.
You’ll provide daily accommodation and organise group activities for the community. These activities range from book clubs to walking groups to arts and crafts classes. As a community support worker, you’ll have to consider each client’s needs, mobility, and well-being when organising activities.
The average annual salary for a community support worker ranges from $60,000 to $70,000. Depending on experience, the salary can reach up to $80,000.
4. Lifestyle Coordinator
A lifestyle coordinator is similar to a community support worker in the sense that you’ll be expected to plan, organise, and execute fun activities for seniors. Usually, residential aged care facilities hire a lifestyle coordinator to provide services for the residents.
Your role includes organising daily meals, weekly games sessions, and every other aspect of the residents’ stays. You will organise one-to-one activities as well as group activities for the clients. Your activities should boost morale and make the residents want to participate. You’ll have encore residents join, participate, and ensure all of their needs are being met.
For an entry-level lifestyle coordinator position, annual salaries tend to start at $59,280, while experienced workers may earn up to $80,000.
5. Aged Care Care Manager
As an aged care manager, your job is to coordinate medical care plans and ensure your clients receive the care they need. You’ll advocate for your patient’s needs and prepare reports for doctors or healthcare workers concerning your clients’ progress.
Your role as a care manager will vary depending on your client. If your client has terminal illness, you will focus on assisting with treatment plans. If your patient isn’t terminally ill, you’ll provide social and emotional support.
The annual average salary for a care manager in the aged care sector is $125,000. Entry-level positions can start from $107,828; more experienced care managers can expect to earn up to $150,000.
6. Aged Care Nursing Assistant
If there are on-site enrolled or registered nurses, your role will be to assist them in their duties. You’ll support other health professionals in a hospital or aged care facility.
As part of the role, you’ll be expected to care for and assist patients while also supporting nursing staff with monitoring patients’ vital signs and reporting patient observations. There may also be admin tasks to complete.
The average annual salary for an aged care nursing assistant ranges from $55,000 to $60,000.
What qualifications do you need for aged care jobs in Australia?
If you’re not already trained in the sector or if you’re looking to get some extra qualifications under your belt, there are a few certifications that may help you pursue aged care jobs. There are no minimum standard qualifications for entry-level care and support workers, but many organisations require a formal qualification.
You can qualify to become an aged carer with the following certifications:
1). Certificate III in Individual Support: You must complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) at TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation or as part of a traineeship.
2). Specialisation options: You can dive deeper into aged care with specialisation certifications such as Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015) or a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) (CHC33015).
3). Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC40315): You’ll gain a solid overview of aged care and the legal and ethical principles you’ll need to know for the role.
Most carer residential homes require up-to-date immunisations to ensure the safety of you and the residents. You may also be required to get a First Aid Certificate and training, as well as a Police Check.
Instantly match with aged care job roles with hopstep
Now that you know all about aged care jobs, you may be wondering where you can start looking for your dream role. The answer is hopstep. The hopstep app helps create fast and easy connections between candidates and employers.
You can see aged care jobs that you’re interested in. All you need to do is set up your profile (this takes less than a minute), define your distance from work opportunities, and swipe to apply for the roles that you like.
Happiness in healthcare is only a hopstep away. Find your perfect aged care job today and download the app.