What does the future of Home Care look like?
It makes sense that one of our most popular courses is the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). That’s because many people are drawn to a career in support services. Most of the time, it’s a result of their own personal experiences, or it could be that they have been working for a while without being paid. Whatever the drive or motive, one thing is certain: a career in aged, disability or home care is dynamic, fast-paced and constantly changing.
If you asked one of our Course and Careers Advisers what one of their most frequently received questions was, they would respond with this: ‘What does the future look like within this sector?’
This question appears so often that we thought we’d share some of our know-how with you! So whether you’re here because you’ve been sitting on the fence or are unsure of whether or not you should jump into a new career, we hope we can help clear some things up for you.
What is the job outlook for home care?
Great news for those looking for a long-term career in the industry! The job outlook for home care workers is very strong, with significant growth anticipated for aged and disabled carers, child carers as well as nursing support and personal care workers. According to joboutlook.gov.au, the past 5 years for the Aged and Disabled Care industry recorded a dramatic spike in numbers of workers. This is thanks to a huge demand for skilled, qualified staff because of Australia’s increasingly ageing population. More so, from 2017 to 2022, there are 184,000 job openings anticipated for the home care industry.
What does an average day look like?
We wish we could reply to this question with one definitive answer. However, the truth is, there is no one right response. Every individual worker can attest to having a significantly different experience to their peers when it comes to home care. For many people, this variety is what is best about the job!
If we had to outline a highly generic, textbook day, it would go something like this. Firstly, you arrive at your client’s home, tend to any outstanding issues such as helping them get washed and dressed. You might then tackle any general domestic issues such as laundry, cleaning, changing beds. Depending on who your client is, you may also need to make sure medication is taken, administered or applied. You can learn more about becoming a support worker in aged care, the responsibilities and benefits here.
How do you get started?
A qualification such as a Cert 3 in Individual Support is the essential foundation to building a career in the industry. Moreover, in Australia it is mandatory to have the required credentials before you can work in the sector.
Many of our students express that they have been caring for or supporting someone for years and that is all the experience they should need. While that kind of experience really makes you the perfect candidate for a paid career in the industry, the reality is, there is no way around obtaining a qualification. If you want to seek employment in Home and Community Care, it is highly recommended to complete a recognised course like the Certificate III in Individual Support. During that time, you will learn about workplace health and safety, etiquette, manual handling and best practice specific to the industry.
Once you have been working in Aged Care or Disability in a home care environment and have practical experience under your belt, you can consider further study to obtain a more senior role.
Admittedly, it’s hard to paint a picture of the whole industry in just one article. If you would like more information or real-world examples of people working in the field, then it’s best to get in touch with our Course and Career Advisers. They have countless years of experience helping people unlock their potential and finally achieve the goals they had set their minds on.
For more information regarding gaining the skills toward a career in home and community care, get in touch with us via our contact page.
Ready to advance your career in aged care?
- Discover the CHC43015 Certificate IV In Ageing Support now!
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What does the future of Home Care look like?