Aged or Disabilities Carer

• Diploma of Disability
• Certificate IV in Aged Care
• Certificate IV in Home and Community Care
• Certificate IV in Disability
• Certificate III in Aged Care
• Certificate III in Home and Community Care
• Certificate III in Disability

Being able to go about our daily activities with ease is something that most of us take for granted. We have been eating, drinking, sleeping, talking and walking without thought for as long as we can remember. However, some people, as a result of old age or disability, need help with these daily activities. Fortunately, for those who do need a helping hand, there are professional caregivers to assist.

Aged and disability carers assist people who are unable to care for themselves and/or their families because of sickness, disability or old age. They undertake domestic duties, arrange social activities and shopping trips, and accompany people on outings and provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Helping and Community Services

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Aged or Disabilities Carer,  Child Care Worker,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Customer Service Officer,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers,  Fitness Instructor,  Interpreter,  Kitchen hand,  Landcare Officer,  Librarian,  Massage Therapist,  Medical Administrative Officer,  Nutrition Assistant (Dietary Aide),  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Park Ranger,  Patient Care Assistant,  Police Officer,  Reflexologist,  Tourist Information Officer,  Trichologist,  Youth Worker or Disability Worker

Entry to this occupation is generally through a Certificate II or higher qualification or at least one years relevant experience. Of those currently employed, 35% have Certificate III or IV; 10% have an Advanced Diploma or Diploma; 9% have a Bachelor degree; and 7% have Certificate I or II. Around 31% have no post-school qualifications. It is recommended that you obtain the available qualifications to give yourself the best possible chance of gaining employment.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to assist you entering this occupation: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance; Certificate III or IV in Aged Care; and Certificate III or IV and Diploma in Disability Work. For further information about award courses please check the TAFE SA website. Still unsure? Contact the TAFE SA Information line on 1800 882 661 to enquire about availability of related short courses.

Traineeships are available in this occupation; for further information go to the Traineeship and Apprenticeship Services website at www.employment.sa.gov.au or phone the Freecall number 1800 673 097.

Factors such as an ageing population have led to an increase in the number of employment opportunities for aged and disabilities carers. People are also becoming increasingly aware of the range of care services that are available. While in the past the elderly were often cared for by their families, this too is changing. Due to work or other commitments, there is often no one at home to undertake a full-time carer's role, creating a further increase in the demand for carers. These trends are expected to continue, although the large numbers in training may make the job market quite competitive.

Some carers progress on to careers in nursing, rehabilitation or social work.

Health and Community Services

Lynne Venning – Women’s Education
Lynne seriously began looking into becoming a palliative care nurse three years ago after she had lost loved ones to cancer. 'My husband died of cancer when he was 42, and a good friend of mine died of cancer 3 years ago. I was involved with the care of my friend right up to and including the time she died'. Lynne also has a six year old child in her care and knows that when he goes back to live with his mother, having a fulfilling pastime to focus on will help to fill the void.

Lynne chose to study at TAFE SA because she knew that to become a nurse she would need to study. Lynne knew personally of two women who studied at TAFE SA and spoke highly of the organisation. The TAFE SA environment has been a most positive and encouraging one for Lynne. 'All the lecturers who I have been involved with have been approachable, caring people, and have treated all their students fairly and equally', she said.

For many years Lynne has been involved in hospitality, so armed with the idea of becoming a nurse, she enrolled in the Certificate II in Women’s Education to get back into the mode of studying again. 'While doing this course I found the staff and lecturers were always pleasant and positive towards me while pushing me gently', she said.

Lynne won a scholarship with the Wyatt Institution to continue with the Certificate III in Community Services, with a good proportion of the cost covered by the scholarship. 'I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would get a scholarship', she said.

While Lynne’s plans to finish the Certificate III and go on to nursing by doing the Certificate IV have changed slightly, over the next two years Lynne hopes to study the Certificates in Mental Health, Dementia and Palliative Care to add to her Certificate III.

Volunteer work and field placements with both Gawler Hospital and Williamstown’s Abbeyfield Hostel have provided Lynne with invaluable experience. 'While doing my field placement in Abbeyfield Hostel, I was introduced to aged care in the most amazing setting. I now feel very strongly about my duty of care to these wonderful people', she said.

Carers provide support services to elderly people or to those with disabilities. This can be in their clients' homes, at community service establishments or in nursing homes. Their duties vary from client to client. They may be required to provide assistance with personal care duties such as showering or dressing, and they may also assist with general household duties, such as washing and shopping, especially for clients who live independently. Some carers may take their clients on outings if they have difficulty moving around without assistance.

In addition to the practical assistance that professional carers provide, the simple gift of companionship, whether it is having a chat or enjoying a cup of tea with their client, is often just as important to an aged or disabled person.

Carers may work in private homes and community establishments. They may be required to work evenings, weekends and public holidays and may be required to live-in. Care workers must have a supportive and caring attitude and demonstrate a respect for the rights of others. They must be able to perform domestic duties efficiently, have the adaptability to work in different environments under limited supervision and also have good communication skills.

Care workers also need to be physically fit as there is a large manual component to the occupation from personal care and domestic duties.

This occupation requires people with a caring and supportive attitude towards people suffering from difficult circumstances. Patience and good decision-making are also useful traits for a prospective carer to have, as aged or disabled clients may need assistance in performing a range of activities. It also requires dedication as you may have to work in the evening, on weekends and public holidays or on a live-in basis. Organisations which employ aged or disabilities carers can arrange for a carer to be in someone's home on an hourly, daily, overnight or continuous basis. Clients who have just undergone an operation may feel more at ease if they know that a carer actually lives in their home and can assist them whenever a situation arises.

Kathy from Home Care Service has been an aged and disabilities care worker for four years. She has cared mostly for aged clients, and occasionally for young children with a disability. While she has had to deal with some demanding situations, she says that it is an occupation she finds very rewarding. 'I love it, partly because it is very challenging. Some people are more difficult than others and sometimes I ask myself why am I doing this? But helping people who are often just plain frustrated because they need help with things they were once able to do for themselves, is what makes it rewarding'.

For further information, contact:

Health Services Union of Australia (SA)
46 Greenhill Road, Wayville SA 5034
Ph: (08) 8279 2255
Fax: (08) 8212 7654
Email: hsuasa@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.hsua.asn.au

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council Ltd (National)
GPO Box 9848, Sydney NSW 2001
Ph: (02) 9263 3581
Fax: (02) 9263 3599
Email: admin@cshisc.com.au
Website: www.cshisc.com.au

Health Services Union of Australia (National)
Level 2 106 Victoria Street, Carlton South VIC 3053
Ph: (03) 9341 3328
Fax: (03) 9341 3329
Email: hsu@hsu.net.au
Website: www.hsu.net.au

The starting salary in this occupation is about $26,000, rising to around $36,000 or more for carers with several years experience.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au