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Residential Care Worker Courses

Residential Care Workers support children and adults in various facilities, providing personal services and maintaining close relationships with clients and their families.

    • AI Exposure: Low

      This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.

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  • This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
      • VIC
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).

How do I become a Residential Care Worker?

Get qualified to work as a Residential Care Worker with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Residential Care Worker generally earns $1,200 per week ($62,400 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience can you expect a higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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Opportunities for Residential Care Workers in Australia are expected to grow very strongly over the next 5 years as more than 179,000 new jobs open up around the country. Residential Care Workers are employed by adult care centres, nursing homes, aged care facilities, group homes, and rehabilitation units.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Get started as a Residential Care Worker with a Certificate III in Individual Support, and if you are working with the elderly or disabled you might also consider additional VET qualifications in those areas — try the Certificate IV in Disability or the Certificate IV in Ageing Support. They take about a year to complete. You will also need a current first aid and CPR certificate, and you might also require an up-to-date influenza vaccination and a police check.

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Aged Care

Nurture your caring side with a career in Aged Care. Career pathways include Personal Carers, Aged Care Workers and Diversional Therapists. Check your eligibility for government funding. Start your career in Aged Care today.

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Child Welfare, Youth and Family Intervention

Courses in child welfare, youth and family intervention offer critical training for working with clients at risk to improve living situations and provide emotional support. Check your eligibility for government funding. Start your career today!

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Disability

Start a rewarding career in the Disability sector. Career pathways include Disability Support Worker, Residential Care Officer and Diversional Therapist. Check your eligibility for government funding. Nationally Recognisied Qualifications.

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Further reading

How to start a career in Aged Care

23rd March 2021

5 jobs for people who like working with children

31st August 2021

How to start a career in Disability Care

12th April 2021

All residential care worker courses

Residential Care Worker careers

Residential Care Workers work at nursing homes, aged care facilities, rehabilitation units, adult care facilities, and group homes. They provide children and adults who are cannot live independently with personal services.

Developing a close relationship with your clients (and their families) is key to your role, and as a Residential Care Worker you could be doing anything from showering, dressing, and feeding your clients — to liaising with immediate family members and keeping them informed of progress and life events.

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