From aged care to disability support work, childcare, and healthcare, Australia’s care sector includes a wide range of different professions and career pathways. Both the growing diversity of the care sector and the emergence of more specialised courses and qualifications has made a career in care all the more appealing to younger generations of Australian professionals.
Generations aren’t strictly defined but broad consensus data puts the age range, as of 2024, at 12 to 44 years of age for Generation Z and Millennial populations in Australia combined. With both of these two age groups making up the majority of working Australians, boosting interest in the care sector across these demographics can help us cater to Australia’s evolving healthcare needs in the face of climate change, COVID-19, and our ageing population.
Today, we’ll be outlining some of the key benefits that are attracting younger Australians towards a career in the care sector.
Streamlined Training boosts Industry Access for Young People
There is huge diversity in the care sector, with this diversity typically structured under five main umbrellas: aged care, childcare, disability, community and healthcare. So compared to other vocations, securing the right training for care sector jobs can actually be quite straightforward thanks to this segmentation. Depending on your preferred role in the industry, training is likely to consist of a certificate, such as a CHC43015 – Certificate IV in Ageing Support, a diploma, or an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
The simplicity of a clearly mapped out training-to-career path is a big drawcard for younger people who will go through an average of five to seven career changes in their working life. With the number of career changes Millennials and Gen Zs are going to undertake, being able to jump between a variety of roles within the same industry, instead of having to retrain and enter a new area completely, is very enticing.
Depending on the qualification, vocational training can be as short as six months full-time and up to 2 years, and there is often an on-the-job practical element, meaning students get guided, first-hand experience before entering the industry, alongside a solid understanding of the theory underpinning the experience.
An undergraduate degree in a care-based field generally takes three years full time, and may incorporate some placements in the field but often focuses on the required knowledge. Vocational studies often lead to roles that work intimately with the people they are supporting, whether that is in personal care work or as a child care worker.
Care workers are in high demand, as a result the commonwealth and state governments are currently subsidising some vocational study in this field. To find fee-free courses and to assess your eligibility, check with your state or territory education and training department or with course providers.
Industry Demand for Workers provides Lasting Job Security
Everyone seeks security in life, whether it be financial, housing, food, or employment. And with Australia’s ongoing cost of living crisis, students are entering the workforce with a goal of maintaining financial security alongside career fulfilment and other factors for job satisfaction. The best method for ensuring this security is by embarking on career pathways in industries that will consistently require talent. This is yet another reason why careers in care have grown increasingly attractive to Generation Z and Millennials.
In addition to the driving force of security-seeking, Millennials and working-age Gen Zs know that as their parents’ and grandparents’ grows older and a growing portion of Australia’s population becomes reliant on healthcare resources and assisted living services, the number and variety of careers available in aged-care will continue to soar.
The Freedom of Choice to Find Passion & Purpose
As we mentioned, vocations and pathways within the care sector are highly defined, with placement opportunities also in abundance. This makes the care sector highly accessible to younger generations, and the opportunity to enter the workforce faster means industry workers are more likely to find the pathway that aligns best with their skills and passions.
But within the five umbrellas of aged care, childcare, disability support, community support, and healthcare, there are three other subcategories or three other areas of care. These are medical, allied health and support.
Medical roles cover the five umbrellas listed above alongside including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, radiologists, and pharmacists. Aside from nursing, these positions require extensive university study and do not make up a large part of the care force. Nurses are a key role in the caring sector and there is massive demand for more staff. Registered nurses must have a three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree and enrolled nurses need a Diploma of Nursing.
Allied health professionals are also employed in all five umbrellas and, like medical roles, a university degree in the relevant field is necessary. Included in allied health is audiology, nutrition, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, physiotherapy, social work, and art and music therapy.
Support roles like personal care workers, care workers in residential aged or disability settings, community liaisons, advocacy, childcare centre staff, nursing support, youth worker and family support, work closely with individuals and their families to support them in their daily lives. Many young people have found support work a fulfilling and flexible role that is ideal when studying.
Being able to select a highly specialised pathway for career advancement ensures that Australia’s care sector is composed of professionals who have a genuine interest in the work they do. This in turn sets a strong foundation for the future of Australia’s care sector.
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The healthcare and social assistance industry is, unsurprisingly, the largest sector of employment in Australia. It is an area that draws in Millennials and Gen Zs due to the clear career pathways, the huge demand for more workers, and the array of roles available. With the diversity in roles and the abundance of career advancement opportunities available, working in the care industry is rewarding, never dull, and you are almost guaranteed employment. So, if the sector has sparked your interest as a tertiary student looking to chart their own course, now is the perfect time to jump onboard.
