Demand for new workers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing sectors

Growing demand for workers is building a sector that offers security, diversity and career progression.

Darren Birbeck, CEO Resthaven Incorporated. Picture: Supplied

Aged care is one of the nation’s fastest-growing sectors – and a growing sector means a growing demand for workers and new job opportunities.

Over the next five years, it is estimated there will be a demand for around 27,000 new workers in the health care and social assistance sectors – and the Government of South Australia is supporting new paid training pathways under the $200 million Skilling South Australia program.

In May 2021, the Federal Government unveiled an additional 80,000 home care packages in an $18 billion investment into the sector. As of September 2021, 10,000 had been released, equating to 1200 every week nationally – and 120 a week into South Australia. And there’s more to come.

“By 2058, the number of Australians aged 85 years and over will increase to more than 1.5 million people, making up 3.7 per cent of the Australian population,” said Darren Birbeck, Resthaven CEO. “We’re seeing an almost exponential growth in the demand for home support workers and related staff.”

With the diverse range of roles within aged care, those “related staff” include therapy assistants, lifestyle assistants, enrolled and registered nurses, allied health professionals, housekeeping assistants, maintenance officers and chaplains.

“As a large organisation, Resthaven also requires the services of HR professionals, information technology specialists, marketing professionals, accountants and customer service consultants,” Mr Birbeck said.

ACH Group CEO Frank Weits. Picture: Supplied

ACH Group is currently hiring allied health professionals, community cleaners, support workers and senior roles in residential aged care. “People are drawn to careers in aged care as they seek a role that makes a real difference,” ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said.

For those coming into the industry, the benefits are many. “A career in aged care offers stable employment in a growth industry, a wide variety of roles, flexibility, and opportunities to develop skills through learning and development opportunities,” Mr Weits said.

In addition to career rewards, working in aged care brings many personal rewards, too.

“The thing about aged care is it gets under your skin,” Mr Birbeck said. “You can make a real difference to people’s lives every day, whether it be the smile on someone’s face, helping them with their care needs or to do something they might not otherwise have been able to do. It’s pretty special.”