Essential aged care qualifications for a thriving career

Employment within the aged care sector can offer a career that is both rewarding and meaningful, and enriches the lives of individuals receiving care.

Aged care plays an integral part in society and involves providing elderly individuals access to high quality care and support they require to maintain their quality of life.

A sector with career prospects

As a growth sector across Australia, dedicated aged care workers are in high demand. Not only does this career path provide you with the opportunity to improve the lives of others, but it also offers excellent employment prospects with a competitive salary.

Continued growth is predicted over the next two decades, with Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicating that the number of Australians aged 85 years or over will double to over 1 million by 2042.

In addition, the sector is set to experience a shift in reform when the upcoming Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety report is released in February 2021. It is expected that this report will address the need for mandated education and training, as well as the provision of overall improved standards of care.

The need for qualified workers has never been more important, which makes it the perfect time for caring and compassionate individuals to enter or upskill within the sector and ensure high quality care can be provided to the most vulnerable members within our communities.

Aged care qualifications

The standard entry level aged care qualification is a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021). An aged care career often starts in a role such as Personal care worker, Community care worker, Residential care worker or Home care assistant. The Certificate III in Individual Support covers everything you need to commence your aged care career. From course units in how to work legally and ethically, providing first aid, facilitating the empowerment of older people and supporting those with dementia, this qualification provides a solid foundation of factual, technical and procedural knowledge, as well as some theoretical knowledge of the concepts and practices required to provide person-centered support.

Receiving on-the-job experience is crucial to feel confident in a career caring for others, which is why the Certificate III in Individual Support incorporates a minimum 120 hours practical placement. This hands-on experience is incredibly valuable to put your learning into practice and gain a working understanding of the responsibilities with an aged care role. If you opt to study as a workplace student, you can have your working hours counted as your placement hours, creating the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time.

Upskilling to advance your aged care career

For those who want to develop their skills and take their career further, aged care is a sector that offers various employment pathways. There are a number of courses to choose from to gain aged care qualifications that will advance your career and diversify your employment opportunities. Upskilling can help you to get the most from your aged care career, and gives you the chance to move in a direction that is best suited to your interests and passions within the sector.

After a period of time as a Personal care worker, you may wish to explore a leadership position. A position as an Aged Care Team Leader is a possible career development and can be achieved with experience but also through continuing your training. A Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) can support learners to gain the skills required to lead teams, manage legal compliance, deliver palliative care and assist with clients’ medications.

Alternatively, from your starting point as a Residential care worker, you might begin to develop a specific interest in the connection between elderly residents’ mental health and wellbeing and their leisure activities. Undertaking a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health (CHC43415) can provide opportunities to move into different roles such as a Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Leisure and therapy assistant or Leisure Officer. These roles are centred around assessing the elderly people in your care and tailoring leisure programs that feature activities to best support the ongoing health, wellbeing and happiness in these individuals’ lives.

A focus on high quality aged care qualifications

There are many career pathways you can follow when you have the right aged care qualifications. This sector requires professionals who are capable of delivering care to the highest possible standard and using their caring and compassionate nature to enrich the lives of others.

Our aged care courses at Selmar are delivered by sector experts who will guide and support you to become job-ready. Selmar’s aged care trainers are committed to helping their learners to excel within a meaningful career and the combination of our in-depth courses and practical placement will prepare you for a thriving career path in the aged care sector.

To get started or upskill within the aged care sector, contact us today.