How to become an aged care worker

Published on 12/08/2025

The demand for compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals in the aged care sector has significantly increased to meet the needs of Australia's ageing population. Employment figures reflect this demand, with an annual employment growth of 35,400 professionals in addition to the existing 367,200 employed professionals in aged and disabled care.

This creates a unique opportunity for a meaningful career that helps improve the quality of life of older adults. Each day, aged care workers provide important emotional support and physical help to older members of the community.

If you’re considering becoming an aged care worker, this article provides helpful insights on what these roles entail, how to become qualified and the skills you need to be successful in this fulfilling career.

How to become an aged care worker

To become an aged care worker in Australia, you’ll typically need to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) from a registered training organisation (RTO), meet relevant screening requirements and then apply for aged care worker roles across a range of settings.

Consider if this is the right career path for you
Before pursuing an aged care support role, it can be helpful to think about your interests, personal attributes and career goals.

Below we’ll explore some essential skills you’ll need to be successful in this career. However, as a first point of reflection, you should ask yourself whether you have a particular interest in working with older people.

Consider whether you’d be comfortable helping them with personal care tasks and offering support with general daily activities. These roles may also be physically and emotionally demanding, depending on the level of care required for the specific person. You’ll also need to consider the time investment needed to complete your training, which is typically between six months to one year.

If you have a naturally caring disposition, a willingness to provide support for those with complex care needs and a passion for helping older adults, this role may be an ideal fit for you.
Complete a Certificate III in Individual Support
Once you’ve decided you want to pursue a role as an aged care worker, you’ll need to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021). You can complete this qualification at TAFE as well as some universities.

This course typically takes six months to one year, depending on the specific course provider. Once you’ve obtained this certificate, you can provide personalised support to older adults in home, community or residential care settings.
Satisfy the screening requirements for aged care support
The Australian Government outlines specific screening requirements for aged care support workers that apply to both paid and volunteer aged care roles.

These checks ensure the safety of those receiving care and generally involve a National Police Check and work history check to confirm your suitability for a role in this sector. If you’re working with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)-funded clients, you’ll also need to satisfy the NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Depending on your specific role, organisational requirements and state or territory laws, you may also need a Working with Vulnerable People check as well as other relevant health checks, such as up-to-date immunisations.

To summarise, the screening requirements for aged care roles can include a police check and certificate, NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable), Working with Vulnerable People check (if applicable) and up-to-date immunisations and relevant health checks.
Start applying for aged care worker jobs
Once you’ve completed your certificate and satisfied the screening requirements for your role, you can begin exploring aged care worker jobs that interest you. Consider volunteer roles as a starting point to gain valuable experience and make a difference in the lives of older Australians. Search for aged care roles on SEEK, Indeed, government job boards, the NDIS or aged care agencies in your local area.
Complete postgraduate study in aged care
Postgraduate study in aged care offers a unique opportunity to build confidence, gain advanced skills and deepen your knowledge to provide high-quality care for older adults. You’ll gain valuable skills to help position yourself as a leader in this growing field and can help shape the future of aged care support.

The University of the Sunshine Coast offers a Graduate Certificate in Aged Care, which can be completed online over 6 months full-time. Included in this course are two core units on aged care practice in Australia and two elective units from a range of health topics such as mental health, public health and healthcare research. This course is aimed at Ahpra-registered professionals or people with a prior degree in a health-related field who are interested in developing advanced skills to pursue leadership, education or clinical roles within the aged care sector.

What is an aged care worker?

An aged care worker provides support to older people, which includes personal care, cooking, cleaning, opportunities for connection as well as physical and emotional support. As an aged care worker, you may work in a variety of settings, including community care, residential care in an aged care centre and providing in-home care to clients.

What does an aged care worker do?

The role of an aged care worker may vary depending on the specific job and the individual needs of the older person they’re supporting. There are a range of roles available to aged care workers, such as a community care worker, home care assistant, in-home respite worker, nurse’s aide, residential care worker and respite support worker.

Aged care worker duties and responsibilities

The typical tasks and responsibilities of aged care workers include:

Assisting with personal care tasks, such as showering, changing and administering medications
Preparing meals and assisting with feeding
Supporting clients with mobility and their physical activity
Housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, laundry, cleaning and gardening
Facilitating and accompanying clients to activities for social wellbeing enhancement
Transportation to and from appointments and other events
Providing connection, friendship and emotional support

Aged care worker salary

According to SEEK data, the average annual salary of aged care workers in Australia is $70,000. Salary variations may depend on experience and the specific aged care role.

During 2024, the Australian Government endorsed the Fair Work Commission's recommendation to increase wages for aged care workers by investing $3.8 billion over a four year period. To date, approximately 400,000 aged care workers in residential and home care settings have already benefited from this wage rise.

This reform has been part of a progressive wage increase for the entire aged care sector, which includes aged care nurses, maintenance workers, administrative staff and other related professionals. This wage boost has helped to attract and retain skilled professionals to the sector, helped mitigate the gender pay gap and improved the overall quality and efficacy of services delivered by aged care workers.

Is an aged care worker the same as an aged care nurse?

While both roles support older adults with some overlap in work environments, these two professions differ vastly with regard to the level of clinical responsibility, decision-making capacity and professional qualifications.

As mentioned, aged care workers have a supportive role that focuses on client wellbeing and everyday activities or tasks. They operate under the guidance and supervision of other qualified healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses, to ensure that their client’s overall health, routine and personal needs are maintained.

Aged care nurses are usually registered nurses who have more advanced training, a greater scope of practice and higher responsibilities compared to aged care workers. Their role includes administering medications, managing wounds, monitoring health conditions and creating or adjusting care plans collaboratively with other healthcare team members. Nurses may also supervise aged care workers within a facility or home care setting. Learn more about the unique role of aged care nurses here.

If you’re a registered nurse looking to advance your expertise to pursue a role as an aged care nurse, Charles Sturt University offers a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Aged Care). This postgraduate course can help you upskill in the field of aged care and gerontology. You’ll gain valuable assessment, advanced practice and clinical leadership skills in preparation for various roles in a range of aged care settings. You’ll also be equipped to pursue senior nursing roles, such as nurse manager and clinical nurse specialist roles.

The Australian College of Nursing’s Graduate Certificate in Aged Care Nursing is another postgraduate course that delivers advanced skills for nurses interested in a career in aged care. You’ll learn the principles of aged care nursing practice to effectively address the complex needs of the older person across different healthcare settings. You’ll also gain advanced clinical assessment skills and learn how to develop a person-centred professional practice focused on caring for older adults.

Why pursue a role in aged care support?

There are many reasons to seek out a role in aged care, including:

Pursuing your interest in helping others

This may be a significant reason you’re drawn to aged care support. The desire to help others and the rewarding aspects of supporting them through their day can be incredibly fulfilling. You recognise that carrying out a simple task like grocery shopping or cooking means that another person can eat a proper, nourishing meal. These are the jobs that many people take for granted during less vulnerable and younger life stages. However, playing a part in someone’s daily life can make all the difference to their wellbeing, outlook and life.

Are you drawn to the helping professions?

Explore other healthcare careers that help people, ranging from midwifery to diabetes education to mental health social work here.

Advocating for older populations

These roles are ideally suitable if you have a strong respect and passion for looking after the physical, social and emotional needs of older people. The incidence of depression, loneliness and social isolation increases with age, which means having strong interpersonal relationships and meaningful connections becomes all the more important. Older men are at an even greater risk of suffering from poor mental health conditions, with the highest suicide rates in Australia occurring in men over the age of 85. Advocating for senior generations by offering them respect and care can help shape the future standard of care and strengthen the aged care industry overall.

Strong job security

The aged care sector is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare, with a 28 per cent job growth prediction over the next five years. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare projects Australia’s older population will comprise over 4.5 million people aged between 65 and 74, approximately 3.5 million aged between 75 and 84 and 2.2 million aged over 85 by 2066. You can feel confident that aged care work will continue to be in high demand in the future, with strong job security and career opportunities in various settings, roles and organisations around the country.

Healthcare career pathways

Getting your foot in the door with an aged care work job can open up further career opportunities in the healthcare sector. You’ll learn valuable, transferable skills and gain the confidence to pursue more senior roles or pivot into another healthcare niche. You may consider social work, counselling or make the leap into nursing to continue to support the overall health and wellbeing of older people. You may also want to develop your knowledge of specific areas relevant to older populations, such as palliative care or chronic disease management. Ultimately, you’ll find many opportunities to grow professionally when you begin with a role as an aged care worker.

Skills for success as an aged care worker

To thrive in a role in aged care support, you should be:

Physically capable: As you’ll be assisting older people with everyday tasks, you’ll need to possess a general level of physical fitness and capability. You may need to help people dress, reposition in a chair or bed or even transport them using a wheelchair. Making sure you’re physically capable means you can perform these daily tasks in a safe manner for yourself and your client.

Compassionate: An important skill for aged care workers to cultivate is compassion. Being empathetic toward the people you look after helps you understand their situation and their unique needs. They may be struggling with loss of independence, social isolation or suffering from chronic pain. Showing compassion means you can provide more effective, person-centred care and emotional support that makes a profound impact on older people’s quality of life.

A clear communicator: Developing strong communication skills with your older client, their family and other healthcare professionals is essential in your aged care role. Understanding your unique communication style also helps to foster trust and build rapport between you and your client, which helps you better meet their needs, especially in vulnerable situations.

Organised: Managing your time effectively and being organised will help you deliver high-quality care. You may be responsible for transporting clients to and from appointments, attending social events, assisting them with medications at specific daily times and ensuring they’re fed and showered. These jobs all require effective organisational skills and a deep understanding of your specific client’s routine, so they can enjoy the time spent in your care.

Patient: Some older adults may feel like a burden to their family or other healthcare providers, therefore caring for them may require patience and taking your time. They may have progressive Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, cancer or mobility issues. Working within their capacity and limitations means listening to their needs, responding accordingly and practicing steady patience. Doing this will help them feel reassured that you’re able to provide the care they need.

Adaptable: Each day with a new or even the same client presents challenges, changing circumstances and a variety of needs that must be met. Remaining adaptable to each person can help, especially in acute situations that require more advanced support, such as health deterioration, illness or injury. The way you respond in these circumstances can help the client know you’re there for them, even if the day’s events don’t go according to plan.

Growth-minded: Maintaining a growth mindset will ensure your skills stay current and you can continue to be effective in your aged care worker role. Upskilling in trauma-informed care, developing cultural competence and understanding the importance of teamwork in your role can help you provide better quality care and may also set you up for success for more advanced positions within aged care and beyond.

Begin your healthcare career as an aged care worker

Becoming an aged care worker can provide an entry-level pathway into a fulfilling career that helps older people in their day-to-day lives. These roles are rewarding, flexible and secure with opportunities for growth into new healthcare fields.

If you’re wondering how to get started in a healthcare career, there are a range of postgraduate healthcare courses to help make your ambitions a reality. GlobalHealth Education’s university partners, as well as other reputable universities, offer postgraduate courses in a range of fields. These include nursing, counselling, social work, psychology, mental health, leadership and management and public health. These courses are available online and on campus, with some involving hands-on practical placements to hone your skills in real-world healthcare settings. If you’re interested in applying, select a course and enquire to speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor for help with the enrolment process.