Upskilling and career pathways within the aged care sector
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As the fastest-growing sector in Australia, aged care is paving the way for long-term career opportunities across a broad range of fields. From allied health and nursing to business administration and hospitality, the sector offers multiple avenues for upskilling while improving the lives of older Australians.
Diverse Career Pathways
In aged care, professional options extend beyond traditional nursing. Allied health professionals—including physiotherapists, dietitians, and speech pathologists—provide targeted support to help maintain or improve wellbeing. Meanwhile, roles in business and administration, such as marketing officers and roster clerks, ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly.
For those drawn to direct care, positions like personal care worker, community support worker, or case manager enable hands-on interaction. Hospitality and domestic roles—like chef, cleaner, and maintenance coordinator—also play a critical part in creating a comfortable living environment for residents.
Nursing Roles: Skill, Autonomy, and Purpose
Nursing remains a vital pillar of aged care. Enrolled Nurses (ENs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Clinical Care Managers support the health and wellbeing of older people either at home or in residential facilities. Associate Professor Bernoth highlights the unique advantages of pursuing aged care as an RN:
“There’s not always allied health professionals or doctors to consult with in residential aged care so older people have to rely on your ability as a registered nurse to assess their needs and implement appropriate strategies for their care.”
She notes that working in aged care involves using the full scope of practice, from in-depth assessment to family engagement and strategic interventions. Through varied clinical challenges, nurses expand their professional skills, which can ultimately boost career satisfaction.
“Working in aged care gives you extensive exposure to the many and varied medical conditions that patients can experience,” says Associate Professor Bernoth.
Building Meaningful Connections
Another significant benefit is the capacity to form strong relationships with residents. In contrast to acute care, aged care nurses often support the same individuals daily, sometimes right through the final stages of life.
“You get the privilege of getting to know them and their family and you also have the privilege of supporting them in their last days,” Associate Professor Bernoth says.
This environment fosters a “culture of curiosity,” where staff collaborate to uncover the best ways to enhance each resident’s quality of life.
“Questions were constantly asked and staff were thirsty for answers. They would then take this knowledge to use in enhancing the lives of the older people they were working with,” she explains.
The Need for Skilled Professionals
Despite these rewards, the aged care sector grapples with a critical workforce shortage. About 65,000 aged care workers leave each year, compounding existing staffing challenges. However, Associate Professor Bernoth remains optimistic:
“The RAC and community aged care sectors are in an exciting but also challenging time. It’s exciting because we now have the outcomes from the Royal Commission being implemented and rolled out. There’s an opportunity for nurses in aged care to be contributing to those changes and being part of what’s happening in aged care.”
Pathways to Advance
Whether someone starts as a Care/Support Worker with a Certificate III in Individual Support, transitions to an Enrolled Nurse, or completes a Bachelor of Nursing to become an RN, multiple pathways lead to higher-level roles like Clinical Care Manager. These progressions highlight aged care’s potential for career growth, as well as the sector’s reliance on dedicated staff who continually develop new skills.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
