Published: 18th September 2024. Last modified: 18th September 2024.
Written by Craig Shepherd, Emma Kinevane, Cole Egan
In Australia’s aged care industry, there are several different employment models, giving workers plenty of choice in how they earn a living. From permanent, full-time roles to on-demand short-term contracts, the aged care industry has a lot of ways in.
The other major way to get your career started in aged care, is of course, by completing relevant training and attaining the qualifications you need. In this guide, we’re going to look specifically at temporary aged care work. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about aged care contract employment, and also explore the industry more broadly.
Let’s jump right in!
What is temporary work in aged care?
When we talk about agency work in aged care, we’re referring to casual or temporary work contracts and placements that help to fill staffing gaps in aged care settings. We spoke with Emma Kinevane and Cole Egan from Sanctuary Recruitment, an aged care employment agency specialising in short-term job placements to learn a little more.
Emma deals primarily with placing skilled aged care workers in fixed-term remote or rural positions. Under this model, workers are required to live and work in a remote area for a fixed period of time, such as 4 or 6 weeks.
Cole works more closely in Sydney’s metro areas, filling short-term staffing needs, where workers might be required for as little as one shift at a time. People interested in this type of work must be flexible, and those with the best availability ultimately get more work.
Are there plenty of jobs in aged care?
When it comes to job availability in aged care, it depends a bit on what type of work you want. In metro areas, competition is a bit stiffer, but there is still a wide range of opportunities. Metropolitan aged care facilities are likely to recruit permanent staff, however, there is always a significant need for temporary staff members. With more facilities, more residents and more shifts to cover, there is plenty of contract work on offer.
In regional and remote parts of Australia, it’s a little different. With fewer experienced aged care professionals living in those areas, there is often a need to bring in outside help, which is where Emma’s role becomes crucial. Whether it’s to cover staff leave or other shortfalls, people who are willing to take on the challenge of a fixed-term contract away from the city can definitely find rewarding contract positions.
What types of temporary aged care jobs are available?
There are several different jobs available in the aged care sector, including:
- Assistant in Nursing (AIN)
- Personal care worker (PCW)
- Endorsed enrolled nurse (EN)
- Registered nurse (RN)
- Care manager (CM)
- Facility manager (FM)
- Director of Nursing (DoN)
Each job requires a different level of training and experience, which we’ll touch on in the section below. The great thing about working in aged care, as we’ll also touch on later, is the possibility for advancement and the clear pathways to get there.
Qualifications required for aged care
The level of training required to work in aged care varies depending on the type of role you’d like to do. At a minimum, a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is required to begin working in this field. This qualification gives you the foundational knowledge and skills for aged care work and includes placements in residential care homes, where you can gain practical experience. Typically, this qualification or a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance course qualifies you to perform assistant in nursing (AIN) and personal care worker (PCW) roles.
The training for registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) is more extensive. ENs must complete a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Nursing, while RNs must complete a Bachelor of Nursing at university.
For both roles, you’ll also need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which requires you to provide evidence of your successful training.
Specific qualifications for aged care contract work
In addition to the qualifications mentioned above, Emma and Cole told us that to find work through their agency, candidates must have a minimum of 12 months of experience in the aged care industry. This is essentially a quality-assurance measure because contract work is often short-term and workers are required to hit the ground running.
However, much of this experience can be gained through training, such as the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) course, which requires students to complete at least 120 hours of work placement.
The position you want plays a part here, too. Assistants in Nursing (AINs) and Personal Care Workers (PCWs) can find temporary work without the experience required for an Enrolled or Registered Nurse. Many aged care staffing agencies have varying requirements, but there is definitely no shortage of work in the industry.
So, if you’re interested in temporary aged work, get your experience up, either through work placements, postgraduate work or other forms of aged care employment.
What skills and personal traits are valued in aged care?
The people who succeed in the aged care industry are those who have a genuine passion for the work. They must be kind, caring, compassionate, and genuinely want the best for residents and patients. Being able to accept constructive feedback is also crucial. Essentially, you need to be a little thick-skinned to work in aged care, showing plenty of resilience and patience.
Temporary work, particularly in rural or remote settings, requires adaptability. Workers must be prepared to deal with challenging environments, including different weather conditions and cultural sensitivities when working with Indigenous communities. Reliability and flexibility are also crucial, as facilities rely on agency workers to fill critical gaps in their rosters.
Cole also pointed out that continuity of care is always desired, so showing empathy and building trust is essential for workers who may frequently return to the same facility.
Recommended additional training courses
Just like any industry, there are minimum qualifications you need to get started. But once you’re working in the industry, Emma pointed out that the more training and skills you have, the more placements you’ll be eligible for. Additional study is always looked on favourably if you want to advance your career, for example, from being an RN to becoming a care manager (CM).
Some optional training that Emma recommended includes:
- Dementia care: With an increasing number of aged care residents living with dementia, having specialised training in dementia care can make you a more attractive candidate.
- Palliative care: This training focuses on providing comfort and support to residents at the end of life, and it’s a valuable skill set in aged care.
- Medication administration: Nurses who can safely administer medications are in high demand, particularly in remote areas where healthcare staff are required to manage multiple roles.
- First Aid and CPR: These basic life-saving skills are essential for anyone working in aged care, and it’s important to keep these certifications up to date.
How to get started in aged care temporary work
As we mentioned, there is usually an expectation that you’ve had at least 12 months of aged care industry experience before you’re able to find agency work. But for those starting out in the industry, it all begins with training.
Many training courses, such as a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care), include 120 hours of mandatory work placement. Others, like the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, don’t require compulsory placements but they may be offered, so you’ll learn the theory and also get hands-on experience. Once you complete your training, the next step is to find work. In some cases, you may be offered a long-term position at a facility where you’ve done a work placement, so it’s crucial to always make a good impression.
Finally, if required for your role, you’ll also need to ensure you’re registered with AHPRA.
Career advancement in aged care
The aged care industry offers plenty of opportunities for advancement if you’re a motivated individual. The most opportunities are available for Registered Nurses (RNs), who can work their way up to care or facility management. Enrolled Nurses (ENs) can complete further study to become RNs, while Assistants in Nursing (AINs) and Personal Care Workers (PCWs) often decide to further their studies to become nurses.
The great thing about the industry, though, is there is no pressure to advance. Emma from Sanctuary Recruitment noted that many people get into the aged care industry because they’re passionate about helping people. Often, they’re great at hands-on work but don’t always have an interest in the administrative side that comes with advancement. As such, if you’re happy being great at what you do, you’ll always find work.
Making your application stand out
Now we’re down to the details. How do you make your application stand out when applying for aged care agency work?
Emma and Cole explained that when it comes to contract work, where skills, qualifications, reliability and flexibility are paramount, your resume matters. Remember, agency work is a series of short-term placements with different employers, meaning agencies need to clearly see the details that matter.
- An employment history with dates is absolutely essential if you need to satisfy any minimum experience criteria. A listing and evidence of your training and qualifications is also vital. Basically, keep your resume clear and easy to read, so that agency recruitment specialists like Emma and Cole can instantly see that you meet the requirements.
- Another key tip is to avoid lengthy cover letters. They might be great for permanent roles, but agency recruiters need to fill spots quickly. They don’t have time to read through pages of text, so always try to address the job requirements as concisely and clearly as possible.
- Referrals are great for agency recruiters, too. So, if you’ve got a friend or colleague doing temporary or casual aged care work, ask them to recommend you. On the recruiter’s side, that ticks off 1 out of the 2 required reference checks, making it faster to assess your suitability and place you in jobs.
- Finally, if you use platforms like Seek, you’ll want to regularly update your resume. Did you know that recruiters sometimes proactively look at Seek to find potential candidates that match a job’s requirements? They also check when you last updated your resume and usually won’t call if there’s been no activity for a while. But an updated resume shows you’re actively looking for work, and you could get a job offer out of the blue.
Summing up
Casual or temporary work in aged care offers flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older Australians. If you’ve got the necessary experience and can adapt to different work environments, you can build a rewarding and diverse career.
If you’re just starting out in aged care or considering it as a career change, get your studies done and complete as much practical work experience as possible. That way, you’ll be ready for temporary opportunities when they come up.
This guide has covered the basics, but as the aged care industry evolves and Australia’s population ages, there will always be a need for skilled and motivated workers. Now is a great time to get the training and qualifications you need for a successful career in aged care.