The homecare industry covers a wide range of service providers including personal care workers, disability support workers, domestic care workers, enrolled and registered nurses, therapists, and more. Homecare offers workers of all skill and experience levels entry into a fast-growing industry that offers countless personal and professional rewards. Business is booming and homecare employers are desperately looking for compassionate and reliable workers to join their teams. Unlike boom jobs of the past, homecare isn’t going to be slowing down any time soon.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were an estimated 4.2 million Australians aged 65 and over, representing 16% of the population in 2020. The number of ageing Australians will continue to grow due to the country’s increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates. Current projections indicate that within the next decade nearly 20% of the total population will be over 65. Many of these older adults will be unable to care for themselves or remain in their homes without assistance, creating an even higher demand for homecare service providers.
There are many advantages to joining the ranks of homecare workers that you might not be aware of. Before you fill out your next job application, consider some of the benefits of a career in homecare.
1. Training & Career Growth Opportunities
The rocketing demand for home care workers has opened many new doors for employment and training opportunities. Previous training and experience may be helpful but are no longer required to get started in homecare. Many employers now offer on-the-job training programs and opportunities to work towards more advanced care qualifications while you work.
Depending on your career goals, homecare can provide a great chance to get started in your future career in a therapy or nursing profession. You will gain valuable caregiving experience and have flexibility in your work schedule for further education and study. A career in homecare can also help build and specialise your caregiving skills. Specialised training is often provided by your employer based on the care needs of your client. Training in the care of those with specialised medical or adaptive equipment, Alzheimer’s, autism, developmental delays, and other disabilities and illnesses can enable you to focus your skills in a specific area of practice that you enjoy most.
2. Job Security
The growing demand for homecare workers provides job security enjoyed by few these days. Following in the wake of COVID, many workers temporarily or permanently lost their jobs and businesses closed their doors. Through it all, homecare workers continued to provide essential services for our most vulnerable populations. This industry had to adapt and continue to provide those vital services quickly. It has emerged stronger than ever. In a struggling world economy following the pandemic of 2019, the job security homecare can provide is no small consideration. Homecare is thriving as new workers meet the growing care needs of others due to illness, disability, or ageing. As the Australian population continues to age, the need for qualified and caring home care workers will continue to grow, ensuring a strong demand for home care jobs.
3. Financial Security
The average annual caregiver salary in Australia is approximately $55,000 per year or $28 per hour. Entry-level positions often start at around $48,000 per year and many experienced workers earn nearly double that. But a career in homecare can provide you with more than just a good paycheck. Although the ability to earn a comfortable living is important, this expanding industry offers so much more. Many employers provide additional incentives to employees beyond competitive pay.
Some offer special rates of pay for holidays or designated shifts, continuing education, tuition assistance or reimbursement, retirement or pension plans, compensation for uniform or work-related clothing costs, paid travel time, fuel reimbursements, a welcome bonus, performance bonuses, and even discount savings programs with local businesses. Employers are becoming more and more creative with incentives to attract and keep the quality workers they urgently need. Be sure to inquire about the perks your potential employer may offer.
4. Flexible Schedule
One of the biggest benefits of being a homecare worker is the flexible work hours. A variety of schedules can be found 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can work as much or as little as you want, making it perfect for any stage of your life. You are providing care services to your clients at a prearranged time and for a set amount of hours, allowing you to adjust your work schedule around other commitments in your life. How many hours you want to work, the type of schedule you want to work, and the amount of time you take in between clients, is up to you. Starting a little later in the morning or having a break in the afternoon might be important to drop off or pick up children from school. Working weekends may better suit you if you are continuing your formal education. Maybe you are re-entering the workforce or semi-retired and only want to work part-time. A career in homecare offers both part-time and full-time job opportunities to fit any schedule.
5. Making A Difference
A career in homecare is incredibly rewarding. Every day you are making a difference in the lives of others. Building a connection with your clients and their families. Homecare workers enjoy a sense of accomplishment in knowing that they make life more manageable for their clients, truly improving their quality of life. For those with disabilities, illness, injuries, and ageing adults, tasks such as grooming, bathing, eating, basic household chores, shopping, and mobility may be an insurmountable challenge.
Homecare is a meaningful career that helps clients with their daily activity needs in the comfort and security of their own homes. A homecare worker brings joy, relief, and hope into their home. Particularly when helping with things they are unable to do on their own. Keeping them safer, happier, healthier, and as independent as possible. Whether making sure your client is taking their medication, doing routine household chores, or providing bathing assistance, you can be sure you are a vital part of their life and appreciated every time you walk through their door.
Socially isolated homecare clients often feel lonely and depressed and are less physically active. Homecare workers can provide critical social interaction and companionship. The health benefits of these relationships can include lower blood pressure, reduced mental health problems, reduce risk of dementia, and prevent cognitive decline. Knowing that you in your homecare role provide for all these crucial needs in someone else’s life can fill a need we all have. The need to matter. Not just in our own network of family and friends. But to make a difference, a positive impact, in our community.
Psychologists call it the “Sunday Blues”. The dread and anxiety of another work week about to begin. Find pride in what you do and meaning in helping others. A career in homecare becomes a passion and soon the work is forgotten. It is about making a difference. The people and the families you help, and the relationships you build. The majority of homecare workers report a deep sense of fulfilment and job satisfaction. Other jobs may offer comparable pay, but not many offer homecare’s combination of opportunities, job security, financial security, flexible schedules, and the chance to do meaningful work that changes lives. You may start or change to a career in homecare for a variety of personal or professional reasons, but the purpose you find there will be the biggest benefit of all.
That purpose is what drives The CareSide and all of our home care workers and staff. To learn more about our values and what a home care career is like with us, head to our careers page or contact us using the information a the top of the page. As a certified and accredited provider of aged care services, we are proud to offer the highest quality care in Australia for all of our clients.