Australia’s ageing population is expanding fast. In turn, the demand for quality aged care services is skyrocketing. And that means a jobs boom that’s expected to keep growing.
Top jobs include aged and disabled carers, nursing support and personal care workers, welfare support workers, nurses and health and welfare managers.
You could deliver in-home care, or work in a residential care facility, hospital or community setting in remote, regional and metropolitan locations throughout NSW.
Currently, there are many vacancies. And with new facilities and services coming online, chances are there’ll be even more opportunities near where you live, or where you’d like to be.
You’ll be able to make a big difference in the lives of elderly people who need your expertise. If you’re caring, supportive and patient, the aged care industry is a great place to be.
For Aiden Stirling, 25, who has just launched his career by studying a Certificate III in Individual Support as part of his traineeship, making life better for older people who need help is immensely satisfying.
"Seeing the smiles on their faces every time I come into work—you can’t beat that!”.
“Working in a position of trust and care takes a person with compassion and a positive outlook,” says aged care training provider Kate Lovett. "These people demonstrate respect for our vulnerable and often go above and beyond in their role.” In return, “what the students can learn from our elderly is priceless”.
You’ll never be bored or stuck behind a desk—work in aged care can be in homes, residential care facilities, hospitals and other places in the community—and because you know the people you care for you’ll be able to advocate for them.
With lots of different activities and new ways of doing things happening all the time, you’ll get loads of satisfaction by mastering it all and being the best you can be!
Did you know that when a person trains or works in 1 job, they acquire skills for 13 others?
And aged care jobs can be diverse. “Sometimes a person commences employment and enjoys the recreation or activities side more than personal care,” says Kate. “There are supervisory positions, management roles, kitchen positions, administration, team leader, and support officer roles.”
There’s the Diploma of Nursing if you want to become an enrolled nurse. And VET can provide you with a pathway to a Bachelor of Nursing degree if you want to be a registered nurse).
Plus, look at all the jobs a VET qualification can help you into if you like studying community services and biology at school! VET can help you to move into so many of the jobs available in the very large health and social assistance industry.
What’s Aiden planning to do? “I do enjoy the care assistance side of the industry, so I’ll probably stay in that area for a while,” he says.
VET opens doors to opportunities in a wide range of industries, including aged care.
“You don’t need a degree to get started in aged care,” says Aiden.
A VET traineeship gives you real hands-on experience. “The advantages of taking up a traineeship over just doing a course is that you are getting paid on the job while you learn,” says Aiden.
“Opportunities for career advancement in traineeships are high. I think employers see a dedicated Certificate III level trainee that completes successfully is an asset to the organisation and is encouraged to complete the next level of qualification within the industry,” says Kate.
Whichever route you take—qualification or traineeship—VET delivers a nationally recognised qualification, with skills and experience to match.
Subsidies apply to traineeships and some aged care qualifications under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program. As a trainee, the fee is capped at $1000 or waived entirely for eligible students.
Choosing a course is a big decision. So, get to know the aged care industry—start by checking Care Careers, the NSW Government backs it. Chat with the trusted adults in your life or ask for some help to organise work experience.
“It is important to have as much information as possible from people within the industry before you commit to a qualification,” says Kate.
Studying a Certificate III in Individual Support—as a qualification or through a traineeship— is a terrific starting point for launching your career.
“One of the subjects covered is dementia, which is important for the ever increasing number of Australians living with dementia and the people involved in their care,” says Kate.
And this course can offer you a pathway to higher qualifications like a Certificate IV in Ageing Support or Diploma of Nursing.
“We have a lifter which is battery powered, and it’s able to lift a resident and transfer them from a bed or a chair to the toilet or a shower chair, that sort of thing,” says Aiden.
Computers, iPads and tablets have already made documentation and records administration much easier tasks. And already, virtual reality technology is helping less physically capable people in aged care settings to get out and see the world!
Who wouldn’t want to give up back-breaking, tedious or boring parts of the job!
Your technology skills will be welcomed. And you’ll get to spend more time on tasks where human interaction and personal skills help older people to live well.
All up, it means your work in aged care should be safer, more meaningful and satisfying.
When it came to making his real career choice though, Aiden saw terrific advantages in moving into the aged care industry. And he’s still helping people—in so many more ways!