Workers in Need: A Look at the Aging Care Crisis

With the rapid growth of the ageing population, the demand for health services and aged care professionals has increased. But according to the Australian Financial Review: “Australia’s aged care sector is facing a shortage of 35,000 workers and risks not being able to meet basic standards of care.”

This shortage of workers has put even more stress on the already overburdened aged care system. So, if you have ever thought about working in aged care, now is the time to start.

Keep reading to learn what skills you will need to enter this profession. You'll also discover some of the responsibilities and duties you will be required to perform, along with different career pathways.

Aged care worker duties and responsibilities

Aged care workers enjoy a wide and varied job description. Your responsibilities will involve assessing your clients' needs, organising their medical treatments, and making sure they follow them correctly. In some cases, you may need to develop personalised training programs and coordinate important social activities for groups of patients.

Daily tasks may include assisting individuals with their mobility and helping patients get dressed. You may need to help with their overall personal hygiene too. But most importantly, you will provide companionship, friendship and ongoing emotional support.

Aged care skills list

Aged Care Workers need special skills to provide the best possible care for their elderly patients. If you want to build a successful career for yourself in the aged care industry, some desirable skills include:

• A caring and supportive attitude
• A willingness to listen
• Strong observation skills
• A natural empathy towards the elderly
• Excellent communication skills
• Patience and reliability
• Physical and mental fitness
• The right qualification

Open Colleges offers several aged care courses, which are all nationally recognised.

CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support 

This qualification provides you with the necessary knowledge, as well as practical, hands-on experience that you need. This will help you to be job-ready in no time at all.

Certificate III In Individual Support Online (Ageing) | Open Colleges

This qualification is ideal for those looking to enter the growing aged care industry. Learn the practical skills and knowledge needed to provide individual support to elderly clients.

Aged care career roles

There are many different career pathways for you to choose from, including:

• Accommodation Support Worker
• Aged Care Worker, Personal Carer or Personal Care Worker
• Assistant in Nursing (AIN)
• Care Team Leader
• Community Support Worker
• Day Activity Worker
• Personal Care Assistant
• Program Coordinator
• Senior Personal Care Assistant
• Support Worker

For more information, check out our 'Employment Outlook in the Aged Care sector' guide to find out more about each of the above roles. This includes average wages, the number of people employed, average education level, gender split, age brackets, average hours worked and much more.