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Aged care is one of the biggest and fastest-growing job areas in Australia. The country has a large older population, and nursing homes and home care services need thousands of caring, patient workers every year. An aged care worker helps elderly people with daily life: bathing, dressing, eating, moving safely and staying happy and active. For Indians who have a caring nature and some healthcare training, this is one of the more realistic overseas career paths.
Pay has gone up a lot in recent years. After major pay decisions and the 1 July 2026 increase of 4.75%, a qualified personal care worker now earns at least about A$36 per hour on full-time rates. But you cannot just fly in and start. You need the right training (usually a Certificate III in Individual Support or an equal qualification), English skills, and a proper visa. This guide explains every step in simple words.
What Does an Aged Care Worker Do?
Aged care workers, also called personal care workers (PCWs) or assistants in nursing, give hands-on daily support to older people. They work under the guidance of registered nurses. Their job is both physical and emotional, because they care for the body and also give comfort and company.
Common daily tasks
- •Helping residents with bathing, showering, toileting and dressing
- •Helping with meals and making sure residents drink enough water
- •Moving and lifting residents safely using hoists and correct methods
- •Making beds, keeping rooms clean and tidy
- •Watching for health changes (pain, confusion, falls) and reporting to nurses
- •Supporting people living with dementia with patience and kindness
- •Taking part in activities, walks and social time with residents
- •Writing simple notes about care given during the shift
In home care, you visit older people in their own homes to help with personal care, cooking, cleaning and shopping. This needs a driving licence in most places.
Eligibility Checklist
- ✓You have passed 12th and completed a caregiving qualification, ideally Certificate III in Individual Support or an equal course
- ✓You have 12 months or more of care experience (in a hospital, nursing home or home care) – this helps a lot for sponsorship
- ✓You can pass an English test at the level your visa asks for
- ✓You are kind, patient and comfortable with personal care tasks like bathing and toileting
- ✓You can work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays
- ✓You can get a clean police check and the vaccinations aged care homes ask for
- ✗You have no care training and no care experience at all
- ✗You are not comfortable with personal hygiene care or with people who are very sick
- ✗You cannot communicate in English with residents and nurses
- ✗You want a desk job with fixed day hours only
- ✗Someone promises you an aged care visa without any course, experience or English test
Three legal routes for Indians, explained simply
1. Employer sponsorship: An Australian aged care provider with approval under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement can sponsor you for a temporary skilled visa. You usually need a Certificate III-level qualification (or an accepted equal), and for the temporary visa, 12 months of full-time care experience can also help you qualify. You also need an English test score. This is the best route for experienced caregivers, and it can later lead to permanent residence.
2. Study first: Many Indians first go to Australia on a student visa to study Certificate III in Individual Support or a nursing course, then work limited hours while studying. This costs money for fees and living, so plan your budget carefully and choose only registered colleges.
3. Work and Holiday visa (462): If you are 18 to 30 and have at least 2 years of college study, you can try the yearly ballot. This visa lets you work in aged care for a limited time and gain local experience, but it is not a long-term visa by itself.
Aged Care Worker Salary in Australia (2026-27)
Pay is set by the Aged Care Award. Rates below are the minimum adult hourly rates from 1 July 2026. Casual workers get a 25% loading instead of paid leave.
Monthly example: A full-time Certificate III worker on A$1,376.70 per week earns about A$5,960 a month before tax. With weekend and night shifts, real pay is often higher. After tax, rent and food, many single workers save a good part of this, especially if they share a house.
Employers also pay 12% superannuation into your retirement fund, on top of your wages.
Skills That Increase Your Salary
- •Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing): moves you from entry level to qualified level
- •Certificate IV in Ageing Support: opens senior and team leader roles
- •Medication assistance training: lets you help with medicines under nurse direction
- •Dementia care training: highly valued in every aged care home
- •First Aid and CPR certificates: often required and always useful
- •Manual handling training: safe lifting protects you and residents
- •Strong spoken English: helps you build trust with residents and families
- •Driving licence: needed for home care jobs, which often pay travel allowances
Where Aged Care Jobs Are in Australia
Aged care homes exist in every city and town, but demand is highest where many older people live and where it is hard to find staff:
- •Big cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide have the most jobs in total
- •Regional towns: Ballarat, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Launceston have strong demand and less competition
- •Coastal retirement areas: the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Central Coast and Mid North Coast of NSW
- •Remote and rural areas: often offer extra incentives and are more open to sponsoring overseas workers
Large aged care providers, church-run and community organisations, and home care agencies all hire. Some providers have approval under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement to sponsor overseas workers.
Benefits and Your Rights
- ✓Award pay with penalty rates: higher pay for weekends, nights and public holidays
- ✓Superannuation: 12% employer contribution to your retirement fund
- ✓Paid leave: annual leave, sick leave and carer’s leave for full-time and part-time staff
- ✓Workers’ compensation: insurance if you are injured at work
- ✓Training: many employers pay for ongoing training and certificates
- ✓Pathway to permanent residence: under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, sponsored workers can later move to a permanent employer-sponsored visa if they meet the rules
- ✓Equal rights: visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australians
Real Work Environment
Aged care homes run 24 hours a day, so you will work in shifts: morning (around 7 am to 3 pm), afternoon (3 pm to 11 pm) or night. Morning shifts are the busiest, with showers, breakfast and medicines. Each worker may care for several residents in one shift, so time management matters.
A typical morning shift
You arrive around 6:45 am and get a handover from the night staff about each resident. Then you help residents wake up, use the toilet, shower and get dressed. Breakfast follows, where you help some residents eat. Mid-morning is for bed-making, room checks, short walks and activities. Before lunch you write notes about each resident’s day. Before leaving, you give a handover to the afternoon team so care continues smoothly.
The work can be tiring and emotional. Some residents have dementia and may be confused or upset. You may also see residents become very sick or pass away. At the same time, many workers say this job gives them deep satisfaction, because they make a real difference in someone’s life every day. Good teams, clear training and kind leaders make a big difference, so ask about these in interviews.
Residential Aged Care vs Home Care
- Work inside one facility with a team
- Nurses are close by for help
- Fixed shifts including nights
- Physically demanding personal care
- More common route for sponsored workers
- Visit clients in their own homes
- Work alone between visits
- Driving licence and car usually needed
- Mix of personal care, cooking and cleaning
- Travel time and kilometre allowances may apply
Growth Path
How to Apply for Aged Care Jobs in Australia
Scams and Mistakes to Avoid
Documents Checklist
- Valid Indian passport
- 10th and 12th marksheets and certificates
- Caregiving qualification certificate (Certificate III or equal) with course details
- Experience letters from hospitals, nursing homes or home care agencies
- English test result
- Police clearance certificate
- Vaccination records (aged care homes often ask for flu and other vaccines)
- First Aid / CPR certificates, if you have them
- Updated CV focused on care experience
- Australian Tax File Number and bank account – after arrival
Tip: Keep clear scanned copies of every document in your email and on a pen drive, and carry the originals in a waterproof folder. Get English translations of any Hindi or regional-language certificates done before you travel, because employers and visa officers in Australia will ask for English copies.
