How do I become a gerontologist?
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Related occupations
Aged Care Worker
Aged Care Workers support the elderly by assisting with daily tasks, personal care, and liaising with families about health and medication.
Personal Carer
Personal Carers support elderly and vulnerable individuals with daily tasks, providing companionship and liaising with families and healthcare professionals.
Residential Care Worker
Residential Care Workers support children and adults in various facilities, providing personal services and maintaining close relationships with clients and their families.
Community Care Worker
Community Care Workers support children and adults in care facilities with personal services, building close relationships with clients and their families.
Home Care Assistance Worker
Home Care Assistance Workers provide personal care to elderly and vulnerable individuals in their homes, promoting independence and building strong client relationships.
Diversional Therapy Assistant
Diversional Therapy Assistants support leisure programs, enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of isolated or vulnerable individuals.
Aged Care Team Leader
An Aged Care Team Leader supervises care services for elderly clients, managing teams and ensuring personalised support and compliance with standards.
Residential Care Officer
Residential Care Officers lead care teams in facilities, ensuring residents receive excellent personal care while managing staff and administrative tasks.
Aged Care Manager
Aged Care Managers oversee operations in care facilities, managing finances, compliance, and staff while ensuring quality service and safety standards.
Trainee Support Worker
A Trainee Support Worker assists clients with daily activities in aged care or disability services, offering practical and emotional support.
Aboriginal Aged Care Worker
An Aboriginal Aged Care Worker supports Indigenous elders' health, conducting assessments and liaising with clients and healthcare professionals in various settings.
Aged Care Nurse
An Aged Care Nurse provides specialised care to elderly patients, monitoring health, administering treatments, and assisting with daily activities.
Lifestyle Coordinator
A Lifestyle Coordinator plans and organises activities and events for residents in care facilities, focusing on their physical, social, and emotional needs.
Diversional Therapist
A Diversional Therapist organises activities for individuals with specific needs, addressing social, physical, and emotional well-being while ensuring effective communication.
Home Carer
A Home Carer supports people with additional needs at home, assisting with daily tasks, personal care, and accompanying clients to appointments.
Care Coordinator
A Care Coordinator manages client care in aged or disability services, ensuring daily support, liaising with families, and organising specialist staff.
Mental Health Advocate
A Mental Health Advocate supports individuals by promoting their rights, accessing services, and navigating mental health systems with empathy and guidance.
Aged Care Coordinator
An Aged Care Coordinator manages the care of elderly individuals, ensuring they receive tailored support and enhancing their quality of life.
Common questions
How much do Gerontologists earn?
Generally, salaries range from approximately $1,600 to $2,000 per week. Increase your earning capacity by obtaining supporting qualifications in medicine, nursing, health services, public health, and aged care.
What are the job opportunities for Gerontologists?
There are no clear employment figures for Gerontologists currently employed in Australia. They generally work in three areas: medical gerontologists (work in hospitals, nursing homes and aged care facilities), research gerontologists (work for academic and public health institutions) and counselling gerontologists (work in private practice as well as hospitals, nursing homes, and community health clinics).
How do I become a Gerontologist?
To become a Gerontologist you will need a Bachelor’s degree in the health or social services disciplines such as nursing, medicine, public health, psychology, counselling, occupational therapy, community services, sociology, or social work — followed by a post-graduate qualification.
The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Graduate Certificate in Ageing and Health, Master of Gerontology, and Master of Science (Leadership in Gerontology and Rehabilitation) are all excellent choices.
The Australian Association of Gerontology can provide more information about this emerging career path.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023