Our ‘Industries in Demand’ series highlights individual industries experiencing a high demand for labour and the types of jobs they offer. The third in our series covers the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, Australia’s largest and fastest growing industry.

What is the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry?

The Healthcare and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing industry in Australia. In 2020, over 1.7 million people were employed in the sector, which is projected to increase to more than 1.9 million by 2024. Health Care and Social Assistance is also the largest industry in Greater Western Sydney. It covers health services like hospitals, GPs, dental and ambulance services, as well as services like child care and aged care. Many workers are female and part-time work is common. Education is important if you want to work in this industry. Jobs like nurses and doctors need a university degree, while child carers and aged care workers need VET qualifications.

According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, the occupations of Aged and Disabled Carers and Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers are expected to experience the most significant growth in the next five years.

Is a job in the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry right for you?

When deciding if the industry is right for you, consider the following:

• Post-school education is commonly required in this industry with more than 80% of workers having a post-school qualification. Qualifications are often mandatory for employment but training opportunities exist in both the higher education and VET sectors.
• Roles in lower skilled occupations, such as Aged and Disabled Carers, are projected to provide the most new jobs across all occupations in the next 5 years.
• The sector is quite diverse and provides opportunities for a whole range of different skill sets.
• Part-time work is common, allowing you to combine work with study/other commitments.
• Jobs are available throughout all geographical areas of Australia.

In demand jobs

The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is currently one of the highest in demand industries in Australia. The largest employing occupations within the industry include:

• Aged and Disability Carers (Residential Facilities, Community & In-Home)
  You can work as an Aged or Disabled Carer without formal qualifications, however, a Certificate III or IV in aged care, disability, mental health, community services or another related field may be useful. Employers look for Aged and Disabled Carers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and reliable.
• Registered Nurses
  You need a Bachelor Degree in Nursing to work as a Registered Nurse. If you already have tertiary qualifications, you may be able to complete a shorter Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program. Employers look for Registered Nurses who are caring, empathetic, reliable, with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Receptionists
  You can work as a Receptionist without formal qualifications, however, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in administration, secretarial or clerical studies may be useful or previous administration experience. Employers look for Receptionists who have good people skills, have sound computer skills, provide good customer service and are well presented.
• Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers
  You can work as a Nursing Support or Personal Care Worker without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways. Employers look for Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and physically fit with good people skills.
• Child Carers
  You usually need a Certificate III in Early Childhood to work as a Child Carer. This course is often undertaken through a Traineeship. Employers look for Child Carers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic, and interact well with others.
• General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers
  A Bachelor Degree in medicine followed by a one year internship is needed before you can work as a Resident Medical Officer. It is common to work as a Resident Medical Officer for 1-3 years before applying for a fellowship to become a General Practitioner through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural Remote Medicine. Employers look for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and who are flexible and adaptable.
• Welfare Support Workers
  You usually need a formal qualification in Society and Culture, Behavioural Science, Social Welfare, Youth Work, Community Services, or another related field to work as a Welfare Support Worker. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways. Employers look for Welfare Support Workers who are caring, compassionate and empathetic, and can communicate well with others.

Additional Health Care and Social Assistance jobs which are expected to experience strong to moderate growth over the next five years include:

• Counsellors
  You usually need a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work or another related field to work as a Counsellor. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. Employers look for Counsellors who can communicate clearly and are caring and compassionate.
• Nursing Support & Personal Care Workers
  You can work as a Nursing Support or Personal Care Worker without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways. Employers look for Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and physically fit with good people skills.
• Psychologists
  A postgraduate degree in Psychology and a period of supervised practice is needed to work as a Psychologist. Employers look for Psychologists who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and work well in a team.
• Welfare, Recreation & Community Arts Workers
  You usually need a formal qualification in Community Services Work, Sport and Recreation, Arts or another related field to work as a Welfare, Recreation or Community Arts Worker. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways. Employers look for Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers who can communicate and are mature and organised.

Non-healthcare occupations within this sector which are expected to experience strong to moderate growth over the next five years include:

• Chefs
  You usually need a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery to work as a Chef. This course is often completed as part of an Apprenticeship. Executive Chefs, Head Chefs and Sous Chefs may complete additional study, such as a Diploma of hospitality management. Employers look for Chefs who are reliable, hardworking and have strong people skills.
• Commercial Cleaners
  You can work as a Commercial Cleaner without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A Certificate II or III in Cleaning Operations might be helpful. Employers look for Commercial Cleaners who are reliable, trustworthy and have a good work ethic.
• Database & Systems Administrators & ICT Security
  You usually need a Bachelor or postgraduate degree in a related information technology field (such as Database Design, Network Security, Systems Administration or Networking) to work as a Database or Systems Administrator, or ICT Security Specialist. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications. Employers look for Database & Systems Administrators & ICT Security who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong computer literacy.
• Human Resource Professionals
  You can work as a Human Resource Professional without formal qualifications, however, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) or university course in Human Resources may be useful. Employers look for Human Resource Professionals who have strong people skills, who are well presented and can communicate clearly.
• Kitchenhands
  You can work as a Kitchenhand without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A Certificate II in Hospitality or Kitchen Operations might be helpful. Employers look for Kitchenhands who are reliable, work hard and have good people skills.
• Nutrition Professionals
  You usually need a bachelor degree in Nutrition or Dietetics to work as a Nutrition Professional. It is also common to complete postgraduate studies. Employers look for Nutrition Professionals who can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people, are caring and empathetic and can work well in a team.
• Practice Managers
  You can work as a Practice Manager without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) or university qualifications in areas such as Business and Management, Nursing, Dental and Accounting. Employers look for Practice Managers with strong interpersonal skills, who are reliable and can multitask under pressure.
• Public Relations Professionals
  You usually need a Bachelor Degree in Public Relations, Communication, Arts, Marketing, Business, Media or another related field to work as a Public Relations Professional. Some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. Employers look for Public Relations Professionals who have strong communication skills and are organised.
• Security Officers and Guards
  Security Officer or Guard roles require a Security Licence. Employers look for Security Officers and Guards who can connect with others, are trustworthy, responsible, display good judgement and are reliable.

Access to Health Care and Social Assistance Training

As a registered job seeker, you may qualify for one of the following.

Smart and Skilled

Smart and Skilled is a key part of the NSW vocational education and training system. It’s helping people get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers.

Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with:

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
• government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

To be eligible for NSW Smart and Skilled funding you must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen; 15 years old or over; no longer at school and living or working in NSW.

There are over 250 Health Care and Social Assistance courses available to job seekers under the Smart and Skilled scheme. Browse courses at https://smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/sands/find-a-course?context=course&searchQuery=Health+Care+and+Social+Assistance

The Disability Support Worker program.

The Disability Support Worker Program is funded by the South West Sydney Local Jobs Program. The seven-week program is delivered by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Generation Australia.

This program covers more than just what you need to know as a Disability Support Worker. It equips you with everything you need to get a job and start your career. You will have job interviews arranged for you with the support of Generation Australia and Global Skills.

For more information or to enrol, contact your Employment Consultant or email vwellard@globalskills.com.au

Want to know more?

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment have published a Job Seeker Guide. to help job seekers discover the Aged and Disability Care and disability services sector, the employment and career opportunities it offers and how to be competitive for jobs in this sector. [Click here to download]

If you would like more information on working in the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry or training/employment opportunities available now, please contact your Global Skills Employment Consultant.

Sources: joboutlook.gov.au, yourcareer.gov.au, Labour Market Information Portal, National Skills Commission, https://smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/, https://explorecareers.com.au/