Aged Care Career in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide to Jobs, Salaries, and Getting Qualified

Thinking about an aged care career in Australia? This complete 2026 guide covers jobs, salary ranges, what qualifications you need, and how to get hired — with real data from SEEK and Indeed.

The aged care sector is one of the most documented workforce shortages in Australian history. By 2050, an additional 400,000 workers will be needed to meet the care needs of Australia's ageing population. That is not a projection based on optimistic assumptions. It is a figure drawn from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) modelling, and providers across the country are already feeling the pressure.

For anyone thinking about a career in care — whether you are a school leaver, a career changer, or someone returning to work — aged care is one of the most accessible, stable, and genuinely meaningful fields you can enter in 2026.

What Does an Aged Care Worker Actually Do?

The day-to-day work varies depending on the setting — residential aged care (nursing homes), home care, or community services — but the core responsibilities are consistent:

• Supporting residents or clients with personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene
• Assisting with mobility — helping people move safely around their home or facility
• Preparing and serving meals, ensuring nutritional needs are met
• Providing medication reminders (not administration, which requires further training)
• Emotional support and companionship — which many workers describe as the most meaningful part of the role
• Maintaining accurate documentation and care records
• Communicating with registered nurses, families, and other care team members

What makes aged care different from most service roles is the depth of relationship you build with the people you support. You get to know their histories, their preferences, the people they love. Over weeks and months, you become a familiar and trusted presence in their day — and that matters enormously to the residents and clients you care for.

Salary: What You Can Expect to Earn

LIVE JOB MARKET DATA

• SEEK (April 2026): Average aged care worker salary — $65,000 to $75,000 full-time annually

• Indeed (March 2026): Average hourly rate — $28.73/hour for aged care workers

• PayScale (2026): Entry-level (under 1 year): $24.28/hour. With 1-4 years experience: $25.56/hour

• SEEK Melbourne (March 2026): 1,800+ aged care roles advertised across Victoria — updated daily

• SEEK Australia (April 2026): 11,187+ aged care vacancies nationally

Pay rates in aged care increased meaningfully in 2024 and 2025 following the Fair Work Commission's Aged Care Work Value Case — a landmark decision that recognised the historic underpayment of care workers and delivered staged increases to award rates. Workers who move into senior, leadership, or specialised care roles can earn above these averages.

It is also worth noting that many aged care positions at not-for-profit providers include salary packaging benefits — which can allow workers to receive a portion of their income tax-free and effectively increase their take-home pay by $2,000–$5,000 per year.

What Qualification Do You Need?

The entry-level qualification for aged care work in Australia is the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021). This is a nationally recognised qualification registered on training.gov.au and issued by registered training organisations (RTOs) like Stella College (RTO 41290).

The Certificate III covers everything you need to start working in the sector: person-centred care approaches, safe manual handling, infection control, communication with clients and families, support for daily living activities, and workplace safety.

If you want to move into team leadership, specialised care, or management roles, the next step is the Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43415) — which qualifies you to supervise care staff, develop care plans, and take on more complex client needs.

What Other Requirements Are There?

Qualifications are important, but employers will also look for:

• A current National Police Check (required for all aged care workers under the Aged Care Act)
• A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check if you'll work with people who have disability
• Current First Aid certification — HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is the standard most employers require
• A Working With Vulnerable People or equivalent check (varies by state)
• A genuine commitment to person-centred care — this comes through in interviews and references

At Stella College, our Certificate III course includes pathways to the HLTAID011 First Aid unit, so you can tick multiple boxes at once.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Certificate III?

With a Certificate III in Individual Support, you can work as:

• Personal Care Worker or Personal Care Assistant (PCA)
• Community Care Worker or Home Care Worker
• Support Worker in residential aged care
• Assistant in Nursing (AIN) — in some facilities, subject to additional supervision
• NDIS Support Worker — the Certificate III covers both aged care and disability

The vast majority of aged care roles advertised on Seek and Indeed list a Certificate III (or enrolment in one) as either required or preferred. Without it, most facilities will not progress your application to interview.

How Long Does It Take?

At Stella College, the Certificate III in Individual Support takes approximately 52 weeks to complete. The program includes both classroom or online theory components and mandatory work placement hours in an approved aged care setting. Stella College assists students in organising work placement — you do not need to find it yourself.

Flexible study options mean you can work part-time or casually in the sector while completing your qualification, which many students do. Some facilities even hire students as part-time care workers before they graduate, knowing the full qualification is on the way.

Enrolments are open at Stella College. Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) — Victoria's nationally recognised pathway into aged care. Study flexibly around your life. Book a free information session at stellacollege.edu.au

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a qualification to work in aged care in Australia?

For most residential aged care facilities and home care providers, a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) or equivalent is required. Since 2024, the Australian Government's aged care workforce requirements have been tightened, and most providers now require either a current qualification or documented enrolment in one. There are limited entry-level positions that will hire you while you study, but the qualification is essentially mandatory within your first year.

How much do aged care workers earn in Victoria?

Based on SEEK data from April 2026, full-time aged care workers in Victoria typically earn between $65,000 and $75,000 per year. Entry-level hourly rates sit around $24–$28 per hour. Senior and specialised care roles — and those at not-for-profit providers with salary packaging — can earn more. The Fair Work Commission's Aged Care Work Value Case delivered staged pay increases in 2024 and 2025.

Is a police check required for aged care work in Australia?

Yes. Under the Aged Care Act, all workers who provide personal care or support services to aged care recipients must have a current National Police Certificate. This is a standard requirement across all states and territories. Some providers will sponsor the cost; others ask workers to obtain it before commencing. Most providers will not start your employment without a clear police check result.

Can I study a Certificate III in aged care online?

Partly. Most RTOs — including Stella College — offer a blended delivery model: theory components are delivered online, but mandatory work placement hours must be completed in an approved face-to-face setting with real clients. A fully online Certificate III without hands-on placement does not meet the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) training package requirements.

What is the difference between aged care and disability support?

Both sectors involve supporting people with their daily living needs, but the populations differ. Aged care primarily serves older Australians (typically 65+) in residential facilities, community settings, or their own homes. Disability support, through the NDIS, serves Australians of all ages with permanent disability. The Certificate III in Individual Support covers both — which means a single qualification opens doors in both sectors.

Are there enough aged care jobs in Victoria?

Yes. SEEK consistently shows 1,800+ aged care vacancies in Victoria at any time. Melbourne and regional Victoria both have strong demand. The workforce shortfall is not limited to metropolitan areas — regional towns often have significant unmet need and some facilities offer relocation incentives, housing support, or higher casual rates to attract workers.