Aged care already on the increase according to new statistics

From the 2011 and 2016 Census, the ABS is reporting a 19 percent increase of those in the occupation group – which includes jobs that assist health professionals in patient care, aged care, child care, and education support occupations.

This rise in Community and Personal Service Workers was reflected across the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry, which showed the largest growth over the past five years.

A rise of more than 24,000 aged and disability carers was also recorded in the Census.

Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt says the Productivity Commission recently forecast Australia will need almost one million aged care staff by 2050 due to the increase in the country’s ageing population.

It is projected that Australia’s older generation (those aged 65 and over) will more than double by 2057.

“ABS figures confirm a clear and positive trend: aged care is a growing area of employment. It offers flexible hours, opportunities to extend skills and variety, in interacting with older people and their families,” he says.

“There is a range of roles available in aged care, including personal care, nursing, allied health, catering, cleaning, administration, IT, finance and accounting, gardening and service coordination.

“Aged care work is available in a variety of settings – in people’s homes, in community centres, and in providing respite support in the community and in residential aged care.”

He adds that the Government, through the 2017-18 Budget, is committing $33 million over three years to help existing service providers in the disability and aged care sector grow their workforce.

“Much of these rapidly growing workforce requirements, in aged and disability care, are in regional locations, and are female-dominated and with high rates of part-time work,” Minister Wyatt says.

“The government recognises these significant trends will create opportunities for boosting local job opportunities.”