Leisure and Lifestyle Officer in Aged Care: What the Job Involves, What It Pays, and How to Qualify in 2026

Thinking about a career as a Leisure and Lifestyle Officer in aged care? This guide covers the role, what qualifications you need, what employers pay, and how to find jobs in Victoria and across Australia.

Walk into almost any aged care facility in Australia and there will be someone whose job is to make sure residents have something to look forward to every day — a craft class, a morning walk, a guest visit, a movie afternoon, a music session. That person is the Leisure and Lifestyle Officer, and their role is more impactful than most people outside the sector realise.

Loneliness and social isolation are among the biggest risks to the wellbeing and cognitive health of older Australians. An effective lifestyle program does not just fill time — it improves health outcomes, reduces agitation in dementia residents, builds community within the facility, and makes the difference between an aged care home that residents dread and one where they actually feel like they belong.

For people who are creative, social, empathetic, and interested in working with older Australians, the Leisure and Lifestyle Officer role is one of the most satisfying jobs in the aged care sector.

What Does a Leisure and Lifestyle Officer Actually Do?

The responsibilities of a Leisure and Lifestyle Officer vary depending on the size and model of the facility, but the core work includes:

• Designing and delivering individual and group leisure programs — activities tailored to residents' interests, abilities, and care needs
• Conducting resident assessments to understand background, preferences, hobbies, and goals
• Documenting activity participation and outcomes as part of care planning
• Coordinating with the care team, nurses, and allied health on residents' holistic wellbeing
• Organising special events — cultural celebrations, family days, guest performers, outings
• Adapting programs for residents with cognitive impairment, sensory loss, or limited mobility
• Supporting residents to maintain community connections — contacting family, attending external events

It is not a purely administrative role, and it is not just entertainment coordination. The best lifestyle officers bring a genuine therapeutic lens to their work — understanding that meaningful engagement is a form of care in its own right.

What Are the Salary Ranges?

LIVE JOB MARKET DATA

• SEEK (March 2026): Recreation Officer salary range — $70,000 to $85,000 full-time

• SEEK (March 2026): Leisure and Lifestyle Officer (Aged Care) range — approximately $55,000 to $75,000

• SEEK NSW (Jan 2026): Cert IV Leisure & Lifestyle Officer — up to $40/hour listed at multiple facilities

• Indeed (2026): Lifestyle Officer (aged care) — $28.74 to $34.59/hour for part-time and casual roles

• SEEK Recreation Officer (Australia, 2026): $80,000-$90,000 for senior and coordinator-level roles

Most aged care facilities paying in the $36–$40/hour range for Leisure and Lifestyle Officers require a Certificate IV qualification. Entry-level or assistant roles may be available at lower rates without a full Certificate IV. Not-for-profit providers also typically offer salary packaging, which increases effective take-home pay by several thousand dollars per year.

What Qualifications Do You Need?

The primary qualification pathway for Leisure and Lifestyle Officers in aged care is the Certificate IV in Leisure and Health — delivered under the HLT (Health training package). This qualification is specifically designed for people working in recreation, leisure, and lifestyle roles in health, aged care, and disability settings.

Many job advertisements for Leisure and Lifestyle Officers in Victoria and NSW explicitly state 'Certificate IV in Leisure and Health required' — and facilities regulated under the Aged Care Quality Standards increasingly expect it as a baseline for workers delivering lifestyle programming.

Stella College delivers a nationally recognised Leisure and Health qualification as part of its course offerings. Students learn program design, activity facilitation, client assessment, documentation, and the specific approaches needed for working with diverse aged care populations including people living with dementia.

Other Qualifications That Help

• Certificate III in Individual Support — having the care qualification as well as the leisure qualification makes you versatile and more attractive to employers
• First Aid (HLTAID011) — required by virtually all aged care employers
• Dementia-specific training — increasingly valued and sometimes required in facilities with high dementia prevalence
• Music therapy, art therapy, or horticultural therapy background — not required but differentiated

Where Are the Jobs?

Leisure and Lifestyle Officer roles are advertised across all major aged care job platforms:

• SEEK: Consistently lists 'Leisure and Lifestyle Officer,' 'Recreation Officer,' and 'Lifestyle Coordinator' roles nationally and in Victoria specifically. Search terms: 'leisure lifestyle,' 'recreational activities officer,' 'lifestyle coordinator aged care'
• Indeed: Lists leisure and recreation roles including casual positions ideal for students completing placements
• Direct applications to providers: Calvary, Bolton Clarke, Baptistcare, Whiddon, Uniting, RSL LifeCare, and Anglicare all advertise lifestyle roles regularly across Victoria and NSW

Many lifestyle roles are part-time or job-share arrangements — Monday to Friday day shifts — which is appealing to workers who value work-life balance. Senior Lifestyle Coordinator and Lifestyle Manager roles at larger facilities are increasingly full-time with clear management scope.

Career Progression in Leisure and Lifestyle

1. Lifestyle Assistant: Entry-level, often part-time. Support an existing leisure officer.
2. Leisure and Lifestyle Officer: Solo or shared role. Full program design and delivery.
3. Lifestyle Coordinator: Oversees the lifestyle program across a larger facility.
4. Diversional Therapist: With additional qualification — more clinical focus on therapeutic leisure.
5. Lifestyle Manager / Program Manager: Management of multiple programs or facilities.

Stella College (RTO 41290) delivers nationally recognised Leisure and Health qualifications for the aged care sector. Combine with Certificate III in Individual Support for a comprehensive care career. Enrolments open at stellacollege.edu.au

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualification do I need to be a Lifestyle Officer in aged care?

The Certificate IV in Leisure and Health is the primary qualification for Leisure and Lifestyle Officers in aged care. Many facility job ads state this as required or preferred. It covers program design, activity facilitation, client assessment, and documentation in aged care settings. A Certificate III in Individual Support is also beneficial.

What does a Leisure and Lifestyle Officer do every day?

Daily responsibilities typically include running group and individual activity sessions (exercise, crafts, music, games, reminiscence), assessing residents' wellbeing and participation, documenting outcomes in care records, coordinating with nursing and care staff, and planning upcoming events and programs. The role is hands-on, social, and deeply rewarding for people who genuinely enjoy working with older adults.

How much does a Leisure and Lifestyle Officer earn in Australia?

Based on SEEK data from March 2026, Leisure and Lifestyle Officers in aged care earn approximately $55,000–$75,000 full-time annually, with Certificate IV qualified officers at the higher end. Casual hourly rates range from $28.74 to $40+/hour. Senior Lifestyle Coordinator and Manager roles can earn $80,000–$90,000, particularly in metro Victoria.

Can I work in leisure and lifestyle without a qualification?

Some facilities employ Lifestyle Assistants without a formal qualification, particularly casually. However, for Leisure and Lifestyle Officer roles with independent program design responsibilities, the Certificate IV in Leisure and Health is expected by most employers. Many workers complete the qualification while working part-time in care, making the transition structured and manageable.

Is leisure and lifestyle work the same as activities coordination in aged care?

They often overlap. 'Activities Coordinator,' 'Lifestyle Officer,' 'Leisure and Lifestyle Officer,' and 'Recreational Activities Officer' are all terms used in the sector for similar roles. The level of clinical focus, documentation responsibility, and program scope varies between titles. The Certificate IV in Leisure and Health or a similar qualification is the benchmark credential for all of them.