How You Can Become an Aged Care Worker
The demand for aged care workers has never been higher. This industry has played an important role in providing essential support to the millions of older , and it will only continue to do so as the demand increases. In particular, there are several opportunities in direct care roles, such as becoming a Personal Care Worker or Home Carer. If you enjoy helping others and having a meaningful impact on their lives, it might be time to consider a career in aged care. Here, we’ll explore how you can get started working in aged care and join an industry that offers fulfilment and stability.
Why Work in Aged Care?
Working in aged care can be an enriching experience with several benefits for your personal and professional development. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider applying for an aged care job:
- Job Security
There is a steady demand for aged care workers in Australia. This means the industry is home to a stable job market, with several opportunities constantly on offer. These positions vary, from being a Personal Care Workers/Assistant in Nursing to a Registered Nurse.
- Income Growth
The growth and demand of the industry has also been reflected in the announcement of a 15% wage increase from the government for direct care roles such as RNs, AINs, Home Care Employees, along with particular non-direct care roles such as our head chefs/cooks (Better and Fairer Wages 2023 – Department of Health & Aged Care).
- Satisfaction in your Work
Working in aged care allows you to make a tangible and positive difference to the lives of older people. Building solid relationships with our residents and clients, their families, and your colleagues can also bring a stronger sense of purpose and satisfaction to your work.
- Diverse Work Environments
There are a range of employment and career paths across Residential Aged Care facilities, Home Care services and Retirement Villages. This makes it easier to find a job that fits your skills, knowledge, qualifications, interests and preferences, whether it’s clinical/care work, hospitality or in the shared services space such as Finance, Human Resources or Marketing.
What You Need For An Aged Care Role
For example, to secure a job as a care worker/AIN, Whiddon’s preference is that you hold a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or similar. Whiddon can support you in obtaining these qualifications through our Traineeship and Scholarship Programs. Other requirements or desired skillsets to become a direct care worker include:
- First Aid Certification: The ability to provide basic first aid can be beneficial for those in direct care positions, especially in case of an emergency. Note, however, that this is not required for Assistants in Nursing before they start.
- Annual Health Checks & Vaccinations: Although not mandatory, updating your health records is preferred for aged care workers to keep clients and residents safe and healthy, as well as our employees.
- Ability to Drive: As a Home Care Worker, you will required to travel to various clients’ homes. As such, a car and driver’s license are required along with other relevant paperwork such as insurance. At Whiddon, we require workers to have at least CTP insurance.
- NDISWC: We require care staff to have been trained with the NDIS worker modules and be screened through the NDIS Worker Check.
- Registration/licensing: For Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses, you will be required to hold a current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Other Roles and Their Responsibilities
While direct care and hospitality roles are among the most common in the aged care industry, there are a range of other positions, each with unique responsibilities and requirements. For instance, if you wish to become an aged care manager, this may require a Degree in Management or a related field. In addition, anyone applying for a Lifestyle Coordinator position should also have a Certificate IV Lifestyle and Leisure qualification or similar.
Personal Qualities
With such a diverse industry, the variety of skills and qualifications you may need probably comes as no surprise. However, all aged care workers share some personal qualities that ensure success in their roles. These include:
- Empathy and Compassion: To provide great support for older people, aged care workers need to be empathetic and understanding of the challenges that they may face.
- Patience: Many daily activities may take longer or require assistance for older people to complete. By remaining patient, you can assure residents or clients that they are genuinely supported and cared for.
- Good Judgement: Caring for an older person is a significant responsibility that requires practical decision-making skills and judgement to ensure the best possible outcome for their well-being.
- Trust: As part of your job in aged care, you work very closely with residents and clients, and building positive relationships that are underpinned by trust is essential. It is very important that our residents and clients need to feel safe in our care.
How to Apply
Now that you’ve got a better idea of what is required for a job in aged care, it’s time to find an organisation that meets your needs. At Whiddon, we’re committed to creating a work environment where our employees feel purpose and passion. For over 75 years, our core beliefs have centred around respect and building relationships, not just for the clients and residents but also for their families and loved ones, along with our employees and volunteers.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits such as salary packaging options, commitment to work/life balance, and professional development opportunities, including scholarships, ensuring our people feel supported while growing their careers in aged care. Apply for one of our aged care jobs today to get started on your Whiddon journey.
