Aged care is one of Australia’s strongest employment sectors in 2026, with major providers recruiting personal care workers, carers, registered nurses, lifestyle staff, hospitality workers and support employees. Depending on classification and employment type, aged care workers can earn approximately AUD $28 to more than $51 per hour. This guide covers expected salaries, common requirements and major Australian aged care employers where job seekers can search and apply directly for current opportunities across the country.
Job Overview
- Industry: Aged Care, Healthcare and Community Services
- Country: Australia
- Positions: Aged Care Workers, Personal Care Workers, Carers, Registered Nurses, Lifestyle Assistants and Support Workers
- Job Types: Full-time, part-time and casual
- Salary: Approximately AUD $28–$51+ per hour depending on position and classification
- Experience: Entry-level and experienced opportunities available
- Qualifications: Vary according to position
- Applications: Through official employer career websites
Aged Care Jobs in Australia 2026
Australia’s aged care sector continues to provide employment opportunities for thousands of workers across residential aged care facilities, home care services, retirement communities and community support programs.
The industry is much broader than nursing alone.
Aged care organisations require personal care workers, carers, cleaners, catering employees, lifestyle assistants, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, maintenance employees, administrators, allied health professionals and managers.
This makes aged care particularly useful for job seekers because there are opportunities at several qualification and experience levels.
Some positions require formal aged care qualifications, while selected employers also provide traineeships or entry pathways for people who are new to the industry.
Australia’s ageing population is also expected to keep aged care and healthcare employment important over the coming years.
Workers who build experience in the industry may later progress into senior care, nursing, team leader, lifestyle, management or specialist healthcare positions.
How Much Do Aged Care Workers Earn in Australia?
Salary depends on the employee’s classification, qualifications, experience, employment type, employer and applicable workplace agreement.
Indicative hourly rates can include:
- Entry-level and general support roles: approximately $28–$32 per hour
- Personal care and direct care workers: approximately $32–$36 per hour
- Qualified aged care workers: approximately $35–$38 per hour
- Senior care workers: approximately $37–$40 per hour
- Team leaders and specialist carers: approximately $39–$41+ per hour
- Casual direct-care workers: approximately $40–$51+ per hour
- Registered nurses: approximately $41–$50+ per hour depending on experience and classification
Weekend shifts, night shifts, public holidays and overtime can potentially increase total earnings.
Applicants should always check the salary information included in each individual vacancy because actual pay may vary between employers.
Companies Offering Aged Care Jobs in Australia
1. Regis Aged Care
Regis is one of Australia’s major aged care providers and operates residential aged care services in several parts of the country.
The organisation employs workers across personal care, nursing, hospitality, lifestyle support, administration and management.
Positions May Include
- Personal Care Assistant
- Aged Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Lifestyle Assistant
- Catering Assistant
- Cleaner
- Administration Officer
- Care Manager
Expected Salary
Many direct-care positions may offer approximately $32–$41 per hour depending on experience, classification and employment type.
Common Requirements
- Relevant aged care qualification where required
- Good communication skills
- Ability to work with elderly residents
- Required employment and background checks
- AHPRA registration for nursing positions
Official careers website:
2. Bupa Australia
Bupa is another large aged care employer with residential aged care operations throughout Australia.
Its aged care workforce includes carers, nurses, recreational staff, managers and general-services employees.
Bupa has also offered traineeship pathways that can help suitable candidates enter the aged care industry while completing relevant qualifications.
Positions May Include
- Carer
- Personal Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Care Manager
- Recreational Activities Officer
- Catering Worker
- General Services Employee
Expected Salary
Care workers may earn around $32–$41 per hour, while qualified nurses and senior employees can earn considerably more.
Common Requirements
- Relevant qualifications depending on position
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to provide respectful care
- Required background screening
- Professional registration for nursing jobs
Official careers website:
3. IRT Group
IRT provides residential aged care, retirement living and home care services.
Employees can work directly with aged care residents or in supporting areas such as hospitality, cleaning, administration and lifestyle services.
Positions May Include
- Aged Care Employee
- Personal Care Worker
- Home Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Hospitality Employee
- Lifestyle Employee
Expected Salary
Direct-care workers may earn approximately $32–$41 per hour depending on classification and employment arrangements.
Common Requirements
- Relevant care qualifications for qualified positions
- Good communication and teamwork
- Ability to support older Australians
- Required screening and compliance checks
Official careers website:
https://www.irt.org.au/careers-study/careers-at-irt/
4. HammondCare
HammondCare provides residential aged care, home care, dementia care and other health services.
The organisation can be particularly interesting for people trying to enter aged care because some positions may offer training and do not always require extensive previous industry experience.
Positions May Include
- Residential Care Worker
- Specialised Carer
- Home Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Allied Health Professional
- Support Worker
Expected Salary
Many care positions can fall within approximately $32–$41 per hour, depending on role and classification.
Common Requirements
- Willingness to support older people
- Strong communication skills
- Relevant qualifications where required
- Employment screening
- Ability to work within a care team
Official careers website:
https://careers.hammond.com.au
5. Bolton Clarke
Bolton Clarke is a large not-for-profit aged care provider offering residential aged care, retirement living and home and community support services.
It recruits employees across both direct-care and support occupations.
Positions May Include
- Personal Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Home Care Worker
- Lifestyle Worker
- Allied Health Professional
- Catering Employee
- Hospitality Worker
Expected Salary
Direct-care roles may pay around $32–$41 per hour, with nursing and specialist healthcare roles potentially paying more.
Common Requirements
- Qualification appropriate to the vacancy
- Resident-focused attitude
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Required employment screening
- Professional registration where required
Official careers website:
https://www.boltonclarke.com.au/about-us/careers
6. Estia Health
Estia Health operates aged care homes and employs workers across nursing, personal care, hospitality, lifestyle activities, maintenance and administration.
The company also provides career-development pathways for people who want to grow within aged care.
Positions May Include
- Personal Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Enrolled Nurse
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Food Services Assistant
- Maintenance Officer
- Client Services Officer
Expected Salary
Personal care employees may earn approximately $32–$41 per hour, while nursing positions can attract higher salaries.
Common Requirements
- Relevant qualifications where necessary
- Ability to work with elderly residents
- Strong communication skills
- Background and employment screening
- AHPRA registration for applicable nursing roles
Official careers website:
7. Opal HealthCare
Opal HealthCare operates a large network of aged care communities throughout Australia and employs thousands of workers.
Opportunities are available across direct care, nursing, food services, cleaning, administration and management.
Positions May Include
- Carer
- Registered Nurse
- Care Manager
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Catering Assistant
- Cleaner
- Administration Employee
Expected Salary
Care employees may earn approximately $32–$41 per hour, while casual workers, nurses and senior employees may receive higher rates.
Common Requirements
- Appropriate qualifications
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide resident-focused care
- Required employment checks
- Nursing registration where applicable
Official careers website:
8. Calvary Health Care
Calvary operates hospitals, residential aged care services, retirement communities and home care programs across Australia.
This provides job seekers with opportunities across several areas of healthcare and aged care.
Positions May Include
- Personal Care Worker
- Aged Care Support Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Enrolled Nurse
- Catering Support Worker
- Chef
- Clinical Care Coordinator
Expected Salary
Frontline care workers may earn approximately $32–$41 per hour depending on classification, while professional healthcare positions can pay more.
Common Requirements
- Qualification relevant to the position
- Ability to work within a care environment
- Employment screening
- Strong communication skills
- Professional registration where necessary
Official careers website:
9. Uniting
Uniting operates aged care and community services and regularly recruits employees for care, nursing and support positions.
Aged care employment opportunities may be available across residential facilities and community-based services.
Positions May Include
- Aged Care Worker
- Personal Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Support Worker
- Lifestyle Employee
- Hospitality Worker
Expected Salary
Many direct-care positions may provide approximately $32–$41 per hour depending on the employee’s classification and agreement.
Common Requirements
- Relevant qualifications where required
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work respectfully with older people
- Employment screening
- Professional registration for regulated occupations
Official careers website:
10. Anglicare
Anglicare provides residential aged care, retirement living, home care and community services.
The organisation employs workers across frontline care and support departments.
Positions May Include
- Care Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Home Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Lifestyle Worker
- Hospitality Employee
Expected Salary
Personal care workers may earn around $32–$41 per hour depending on classification, with additional earnings potentially available for certain shifts.
Common Requirements
- Relevant care qualification where required
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to support elderly clients
- Employment and background screening
- Registration for professional nursing roles
Official careers website:
Minimum Requirements for Aged Care Jobs
Requirements depend heavily on the position and employer.
Applicants may commonly need:
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) for many qualified care roles
- Certificate IV or additional qualifications for senior positions
- Australian working rights
- Police or other required background checks
- First Aid or CPR certification where required
- Good English communication skills
- Ability to work shifts and weekends
- Ability to assist residents safely
- Driver’s licence for selected home-care jobs
- AHPRA registration for Registered Nurse and Enrolled Nurse positions
People without previous aged care experience should concentrate on trainee, assistant, hospitality and introductory care opportunities instead of applying blindly for jobs requiring qualifications they do not have.
Aged Care Jobs With No Experience
Yes, some Australian aged care employers provide opportunities for applicants with little or no previous aged care experience.
However, “no experience required” does not mean there are no requirements.
Applicants may still need background checks, appropriate work rights, communication skills and the ability to work safely with elderly people.
Traineeships can be particularly valuable because employees may be able to gain practical experience while completing an aged care qualification such as Certificate III in Individual Support.
People entering the industry should also consider hospitality, cleaning and general-services positions inside aged care facilities.
These jobs can provide exposure to the sector without requiring the same qualifications as registered nursing or specialised care positions.
Can Foreigners Apply for Aged Care Jobs in Australia?
International applicants can apply for Australian aged care positions if they meet the requirements of the employer and hold, or can obtain, appropriate Australian work rights.
The critical point is that applicants should not assume every aged care vacancy offers visa sponsorship.
Sponsorship depends on the occupation, employer, location, qualifications and immigration requirements.
Registered nurses and certain skilled healthcare professionals generally have stronger international recruitment opportunities than applicants seeking entry-level aged care positions.
Foreign applicants should therefore read each vacancy carefully and confirm whether sponsorship or international applications are accepted before applying.
You can also read:
Jobs in Australia 2026 for Foreigners – Salaries $25–$60/Hour
How to Apply for Aged Care Jobs in Australia
Applicants should apply directly through the official careers website of the employer they want to work for.
Search for job titles such as:
- Aged Care Worker
- Personal Care Worker
- Carer
- Personal Care Assistant
- Home Care Worker
- Registered Nurse
- Enrolled Nurse
- Lifestyle Assistant
- Catering Assistant
- Support Worker
Read the complete vacancy before submitting an application.
Check the qualifications, experience, location, work hours, salary conditions and employment type.
Your résumé should highlight any experience involving healthcare, customer service, disability support, community work, caring responsibilities, hospitality or working with vulnerable people.
Applicants should never pay someone who promises to guarantee an aged care position.
Use the employer’s official recruitment portal whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do aged care workers earn in Australia?
Many aged care workers can earn approximately $28 to $41 per hour depending on their classification. Casual, senior and specialist employees can earn approximately $40 to $51 or more per hour.
2. Can I work in aged care without experience?
Yes. Some employers provide traineeships and entry-level opportunities, although requirements differ between positions.
3. Do I need Certificate III to work in aged care?
Certificate III in Individual Support is commonly requested for qualified personal care positions, but some trainee or introductory positions may allow workers to obtain qualifications while working.
4. Are there casual aged care jobs in Australia?
Yes. Aged care employers recruit full-time, part-time and casual employees.
5. Which companies employ aged care workers in Australia?
Major employers include Regis Aged Care, Bupa, IRT Group, HammondCare, Bolton Clarke, Estia Health, Opal HealthCare, Calvary, Uniting and Anglicare.
6. Do aged care workers earn more on weekends?
They may. Weekend, public holiday, night shift and overtime conditions can increase earnings depending on the applicable workplace agreement or award.
7. Can foreigners apply for aged care jobs in Australia?
Yes, if they meet the employer’s requirements and Australian immigration or work-right conditions. Visa sponsorship should be confirmed individually because it is not available for every vacancy.
8. Is aged care a good career in Australia?
Aged care remains an important part of Australia’s healthcare industry and offers employment opportunities across personal care, nursing, home care, hospitality, administration and management.
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