Aged Care Worker
Support older people with personal care, everyday activities, mobility and companionship while promoting independence and wellbeing.
What They Do
Aged Care Workers provide practical and personal support to older people in residential aged-care facilities or their own homes.
Their work can include helping with showering, dressing, meals and mobility, providing companionship, supporting social activities, assisting with household tasks and observing changes in a client's wellbeing. JSA lists personal hygiene, mobility, food preparation, social activities and emotional support among the main activities performed by the broader Aged and Disabled Carers occupation.
Who This Career Suits
Aged care suits people who enjoy helping others and are patient, dependable and comfortable working closely with people.
The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, so empathy needs to be combined with resilience, good communication and the ability to maintain professional boundaries.
Key Skills
Communication, Compassion & Empathy, Patient Care, Teamwork, Observation, Organisation, Adaptability, Physical Fitness
Work Environment
Aged Care, Community, Healthcare Facility, Indoor, Physical
Education & Training
A common pathway is the Certificate III in Individual Support, with an Ageing specialisation.
The current CHC33021 qualification covers person-centred support, independence and wellbeing, communication, safe direct care and working with people who require support because of ageing or disability. The qualification requires at least 120 hours of workplace experience. Training.gov.au
Workers may later complete further qualifications in ageing support, community services, leadership or care management.
Career Changer Pathway
Aged care can be relatively accessible to career changers.
People coming from hospitality, customer service, childcare, healthcare, community services or other people-focused roles may already have useful communication and interpersonal skills.
Completing vocational training and supervised workplace experience can provide the practical care skills needed to enter the sector.
Early Career
Early-career Aged Care Workers generally provide direct support under established care plans.
They may assist with personal care, meals, mobility, companionship, activities and documentation while learning how to recognise and report changes in a person's condition.
Mid Career
Experienced workers can take responsibility for more complex clients, support newer staff and develop expertise in areas such as dementia support, home care or palliative care.
They may also progress into senior personal-care or support positions.
Senior / Veteran Career
Experienced Aged Care Workers can progress into positions such as Senior Care Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator or Residential Care Supervisor.
Further qualifications can also lead into community-services management, lifestyle coordination, training or other health and care occupations.
Salary Guide
Early Career
65000
Mid Career
85000
Senior / Veteran
100000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS
Salary data source URL:
Date :
3 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
The outlook for care work is strong.
JSA records approximately 376,300 Aged and Disabled Carers, with annual employment growth of around 27,100 workers. Jobs and Skills Australia
More broadly, Health Care and Social Assistance is projected to produce the strongest employment growth of any Australian industry over the coming five and ten years, with Australia's ageing population one of the major factors increasing demand. Jobs and Skills Australia
JSA has also identified growth in the care and support economy as a major long-term labour-market trend.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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