How to Become an Aged Care Worker in Australia

Aged care is one of the fastest-growing parts of Australia's workforce, and it's one of the few meaningful careers you can start without a degree or years of experience. Here's exactly how to get in.

The 5 steps to becoming an aged care worker

• Decide on your role. Most people start as a Personal Care Worker (also called a carer or aged care worker) or an Assistant in Nursing (AIN).
• Get the qualification — a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), the standard entry qualification.
• Complete work placement — the certificate includes supervised hours in a real aged care setting.
• Sort your checks and clearances — at minimum a National Police Check, plus health and vaccination requirements.
• Apply for aged care jobs — build a simple resume and apply to residential and home care providers.

The sections below walk through each step.

Step 1: Choose your starting role

Residential aged care runs on care workers, so there's a clear entry point:

• Personal Care Worker (PCW / PCA): the most common starting role — helping residents with daily living, personal care, mobility and wellbeing. No nursing qualification required.
• Assistant in Nursing (AIN): a similar hands-on care role, sometimes working more closely alongside nursing staff.
• Support roles: lifestyle/activities officer, cook, cleaner and hospitality roles also sit within aged care if direct personal care isn't for you.

If you later want to go further, aged care is a genuine career ladder — many Registered and Enrolled Nurses, care managers and coordinators started as a PCW.

Step 2: Get qualified — Certificate III in Individual Support

The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is the qualification most aged care employers look for. It's nationally recognised and delivered by TAFEs and registered training organisations (RTOs) across Australia.

• How long: commonly 4–6 months, depending on whether you study full-time, part-time or online with placement.
• What it costs: varies by provider and state; subsidised and fee-free places are often available — check your state training authority and whether you're eligible.
• What you learn: personal care, supporting independence, safe work practices, working with older people, and communication.

You can often start applying for jobs while you finish the qualification, and some employers will take you on and support you through it.

Step 3: Complete your work placement

The certificate includes supervised work placement — a set number of hours in a real aged care service. This isn't just a box to tick: it's where you confirm the work suits you, build confidence, and often make the contacts that lead to your first paid role. Treat placement like an extended interview.

Step 4: Get your checks and clearances

Aged care is a trusted profession, so providers must confirm you're safe to work with older and vulnerable people. You'll typically need:

• National Police Check — a criminal history check is mandatory for aged care work.
• Health and vaccination requirements — providers set immunisation requirements (for example, seasonal flu); confirm current requirements with the employer or training provider.
• Working with Children Check — only if your role could involve minors (less common in aged care, but worth knowing).
• Right to work in Australia — citizenship, residency or an appropriate visa.

Requirements can change and vary by employer and state, so always check the current rules with the provider and the relevant authority rather than assuming.

Step 5: Apply for aged care jobs

Once you're qualified (or close to it) and your checks are underway, start applying:

• Write a simple, honest resume highlighting any care experience — including informal caring for family, volunteering, or customer-service roles that show reliability and empathy.
• Apply widely across residential aged care and home care providers, and be open to casual and part-time work to get started.
• Set up job alerts so new roles come to you.

Care Career lists live Residential Aged Care roles across Australia, including entry-level positions — you can filter by shift type, location and role to find the right fit.

How much do aged care workers earn?

Pay depends on your level, shift and whether you're casual or permanent. As a guide, personal care roles are usually paid an hourly rate under the Aged Care Award, with higher rates for casuals (who receive a loading instead of paid leave) and for weekend, public holiday and night shifts. For current, exact rates always check the Aged Care Award via the Fair Work Ombudsman, as award rates are updated periodically.

How long does it all take?

For many people the realistic timeline is:

• Qualification: ~4–6 months (often faster full-time, longer part-time).
• Checks: a National Police Check typically comes back within days to a couple of weeks.
• First job: you can apply during your studies, so some people are working in aged care within a few months of starting.

Do you need experience to work in aged care?

No — plenty of aged care workers start with no paid experience. The qualification and your placement give you the practical grounding, and employers value the right attitude — patience, reliability, warmth and respect for older people — as much as a long resume. If you're starting from scratch, see our guide on landing aged care jobs with no experience.

Frequently asked questions