Choosing to become an aged care support worker in Australia is a decision that can lead to a deeply rewarding career.
However, it also comes with a unique set of challenges—physical, emotional, and systemic—that anyone considering this path should understand.
As Australia’s population ages and demand for care surges, these challenges are becoming more pronounced, shaping the realities of the profession in 2025 and beyond.
Labour Shortages and Workforce Pressures
Australia’s aged care sector is grappling with a significant and growing workforce shortage. Each year, approximately 65,000 workers leave the industry, and by 2030, the sector is expected to face a shortfall of 30,000 to 35,000 direct care workers.
This gap is even more acute in regional and rural areas, where recruitment and retention are particularly difficult due to economic and logistical barriers. The shortage is driven by several factors:
- Rapidly increasing demand as nearly 20% of Australians will be over 65 by 2031.
- An ageing workforce, with the average aged care worker now 47 years old and about half set to retire within 15 years.
- Heavy reliance on migrant workers, who make up about 40% of the workforce, many on temporary visas.
Even with recent wage increases of up to 28.5%, projections suggest the sector could still face a shortage of 110,000 workers by 2030. This persistent shortfall means those entering the field can expect heavy workloads and, at times, understaffed environments.
Physical Demands of the Role
Aged care support work is physically intensive. Workers are often required to:
- Lift and transfer residents with limited mobility, which can lead to physical fatigue or injury if not done correctly.
- Assist with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, often for multiple clients in a shift.
- Spend long hours on their feet, moving between residents and responding to emergencies.
- Operate medical equipment, ranging from lifting aids to more complex devices.
Common injuries include back strains, pulled muscles, and joint issues, typically resulting from improper lifting techniques or overexertion. While training and assistive devices help, the risk remains a constant concern.
Emotional and Psychological Challenges
The emotional toll of aged care work is significant. Support workers often form close bonds with residents, many of whom are in declining health or nearing the end of life. This can lead to:
- Grief and loss when residents pass away, which can be distressing and emotionally draining.
- Providing emotional support to residents facing loneliness, depression, or anxiety, as well as to their families during difficult times.
- Witnessing suffering, confusion, or frustration among residents with chronic illnesses or dementia, which can evoke feelings of helplessness.
- Navigating complex family dynamics, especially when families are grieving or distressed.
Balancing empathy with professionalism is crucial but challenging. Workers must find ways to care deeply while also protecting their own emotional wellbeing.
Work Conditions: Pay, Hours, and Career Progression
Despite the critical nature of their work, aged care support workers often face:
- Relatively low wages compared to similar roles in disability or health care, with pay rates 25–30% lower than in disability care.
- Limited opportunities for career progression, especially for personal care workers, with little wage increase as staff become more senior.
- Inconsistent work hours and a high proportion of part-time or casual roles, leading some workers to hold multiple jobs to make ends meet.
- A lack of structured training and development opportunities, which is a key reason many leave the sector.
These factors can impact job satisfaction and make it harder for the sector to attract and retain new talent.
Regulatory and Policy Changes
The aged care sector is subject to frequent policy changes and regulatory reforms. For example, the new rights-based Aged Care Act coming into effect from July 2025 aims to address some of the sector’s issues, but also introduces new compliance requirements for workers and providers. Navigating these changes can add complexity and uncertainty to the role.
Public Perception and Stigma
Aged care work is sometimes viewed negatively, often due to high-profile cases of poor care or staff misconduct highlighted in media and royal commissions.
This stigma does not reflect the experience of many workers, who report high levels of job satisfaction, but it can deter new entrants and affect the morale of those already in the field.
Geographical and Sectoral Disparities
Challenges are often more severe in regional and rural areas, where:
- Recruitment is harder due to smaller local talent pools and fewer training opportunities.
- Facilities may be under-resourced, increasing the burden on staff.
- Workers may face additional social and professional isolation.
Skills and Qualifications
While there are calls for mandatory minimum qualifications (such as Certificate III), not all workers currently have formal training. This can lead to inconsistent standards of care and place additional pressure on less experienced staff.
Is Aged Care Support Work Right for You?
Despite these challenges, many support workers find the career deeply meaningful. They cite the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, build strong relationships with residents, and experience personal growth as key rewards. However, success in this field requires:
- Physical resilience and a commitment to self-care.
- Emotional maturity and the ability to manage grief and stress.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- A willingness to continue learning and adapting as the sector evolves.
Conclusion
Working as an aged care support worker in Australia is not easy, but for the right person, it offers immense personal and professional rewards.
Understanding the challenges—labour shortages, physical and emotional demands, pay and progression issues, regulatory complexity, and public perception — can help you make an informed decision about whether this career path aligns with your values, strengths, and aspirations.
For those prepared to take on these challenges, aged care offers the chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of some of Australia’s most vulnerable citizens.