Your Guide to Aged Care Jobs: Roles, Qualifications & Industry Insights

Not sure which role suits you best? Here’s a breakdown of common aged care job titles and what each one involves:

Aged Care Nurse: A registered or enrolled nurse who provides medical care, administers medication, and oversees the health needs of aged clients in residential or home care settings.

Aged Care Worker: Supports older people with daily tasks such as personal hygiene, mobility, meals, and social activities, often in residential facilities or clients’ homes.

Assistant in Nursing (AIN): Works under the supervision of registered nurses to assist with basic care duties for aged individuals, such as feeding, bathing, and monitoring health signs.

Care Assistant: Helps older people with routine activities such as dressing, grooming, and companionship, primarily in aged care facilities or at home.

Care Worker: Provides non-medical support to aged individuals, focusing on enhancing their quality of life through assistance with daily activities and emotional support.

Client Assistant: Offers day-to-day support to aged clients, often involving transportation, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.

Home Care Assistant: Delivers personal care and domestic help to older people in their own homes, enabling them to live independently.

In-Home Respite Worker: Temporarily takes over caregiving duties in a client’s home to give family caregivers a break, while ensuring consistent support and supervision for the aged person.

Nurse’s Aide: Assists nurses with the physical care of older patients, such as lifting, washing, and feeding, typically in hospitals or aged care facilities.

Residential Care Worker: Provides personal care and support to aged residents in care homes, including help with mobility, hygiene, and participation in social activities.

To work in aged care, you’ll typically need the following minimum qualification:

• CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or an equivalent certification.

This is the standard entry-level qualification for most aged care roles in Australia. It ensures workers meet the requirements of the Aged Care industry quality framework.

Essential Skills:

• Providing respectful personal care
• Supporting independence and emotional well-being
• Safe manual handling and hygiene practices
• Cultural awareness and inclusive care
• Working collaboratively in a team environment

Desirable Attributes:

• Great communication and people skills
• Empathy and patience
• Ability to adapt to changing client needs
• A willingness to keep learning and improving

Aged care professionals are needed in a variety of settings, such as:

• Residential aged care facilities
• Home and community care
• Disability support services

Many roles allow you to work directly in clients’ homes, giving you flexibility and a chance to build close connections with those you support.

The aged care sector is growing rapidly. As of May 2024, around 360,600 people are employed as Aged and Disabled Carers. This number is projected to increase by 28% — an additional 74,900 jobs — by November 2026. That makes it one of the fastest-growing job areas in Australia.

Many accredited training providers, like Kirana Colleges, include at least 120 hours of work placement in a registered care facility. This hands-on experience helps build your confidence and skills before you enter the workforce.

As a Kirana Colleges student, you’ll get exclusive access to GradQuest — a career readiness platform designed to bridge the gap between study and employment. Through GradQuest, you’ll receive:

• Personalised career coaching
• Resume and job application support
• Interview preparation
• Direct access to employers in the aged care and community services industry

Start your aged care journey with the right training and support. Contact a course and career advisor at Kirana Colleges today to explore your options and find the path that’s right for you.