Careers in
Aged Care

Working in residential aged care is a fulfilling career choice for those who want to make a difference to the lives of older Australians.

Our aged care employees provide personal, physical and emotional support and care to our residents who require assistance with daily living in our aged care centres.

Help improve the lives of older Australians

Aged care employees assist our residents with their daily care needs and domestic duties in accordance with their care plan. Key responsibilities may include assistance and support with daily hygiene, dressing, assisting with meals and attending to the personal needs of residents.

If you’re passionate about building relationships and helping older people live their best life, we’d love to hear from you.

Did you know?

Did you know that on average, taking into account base pay, penalties and higher duties, a Level 2 Aged Care Employee (ACE 2) at IRT earns $31.53 per hour?*

*Based on the average FY22 wage. Penalties can include shift loadings, overtime and public holidays.

Why work with us

IRT Group is one of Australia’s largest community-owned providers of independent living, residential aged care and home care. With 50 years’ experience caring for older Australians, we help seniors live their best life throughout NSW, ACT and Queensland.

Join more than 2800 team members that enjoy competitive salaries, salary packaging, career development opportunities and a wide range of benefits such as discounted gym memberships and rewards programs.

Find out more >

Ethan's Story

It’s the people and their stories that attracted Ethan to aged care.

The 31-year-old is the Business Manager for our aged care centres in South-West Sydney, Queensland and the ACT and has been working at IRT for 13 years.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said. “The people you work with, the friends, you make, and the residents you meet create a feeling of belonging. What I’ve put in I’ve got back, all that and more.”

Ethan says he’s always felt well-supported in his work at IRT and feels grateful for the experience he’s gained.

“Improving people’s quality of life is such a privilege,” he said. “It’s the little things that make the job so rewarding.”

View our latest aged care jobs

Start a career that matters and make a difference to the lives of older Australians.

Types of positions available

We’re always looking for aged care employees to work directly with our residents, assisting with their daily care needs and offering support with activities such as dressing, personal hygiene and eating meals. We’re also looking for dedicated hospitality aged care employees to assist with meal preparation, laundry duties, table service and maintenance of hygiene and cleaning in our aged care centres.

We have entry level and more senior positions available.

Our application process

Lodge your application

If you’re interested in working in aged care at IRT, you can view and apply for specific jobs listed here or register your interest via our online form here.

Suitability interview

If we think you may be right for the role, you’ll be interviewed to determine your suitability.

Reference checks

If you’re successful, you’ll then be required to undergo reference checks, and other pre-employment checks.

Onboarding and training

You have been offered the job, congratulations! Our onboarding program helps you learn specific job requirements and acquire essential organisational knowledge.

Our locations

IRT has aged care centres across NSW, ACT and Queensland. We have centres in Sydney, Canberra, the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Far South Coast and Sunshine Coast regions.

“I enjoy coming to work every day. I have been working with IRT since 2019 and chose to work in aged care because I enjoy helping older people, some of whom are the most vulnerable members of our community”.

Sita Sapkota

Registered Nurse, IRT Thomas Holt Kirrawee Aged Care Centre

Everything you need to know about working in aged care

Can I work in aged care without a certificate?

Yes, you can start your career in aged care without a certificate. Depending on the position, certain aged care positions may not require degrees or qualifications beyond a police check. There are a lot of different jobs in the aged care sector and each requires their own set of skills and training. For example, as a general aged care employee offering support to residents, you can usually work in aged care without a certificate or accreditation, however, a First Aid Certificate is required if working at a standalone site.

Having said that, there are important skills and knowledge gained from completing a formal qualification, which is why it’s important that if you don’t have one, you are working towards or willing to complete one. In the meantime, you’ll be supported by a team of experienced and qualified care employees while building your skills and confidence.

What qualifications do I need to work in aged care?

The qualifications required depend on the position as there are many different jobs, requiring different levels of formal training. Typically, a Certificate III in Individual Support or similar is the minimum requirement to hold or to be working towards. You may have a similar qualification in Aged Care, Leisure and Health, Community Services or Disability Support for example that may also be recognised as a similar qualification.

You can study many of these aged care courses at ITeC Academy, our registered training organisation. Find out more here.

Is there mandatory training for aged care workers?

If you are granted employment, you will usually be required to complete on the job training, including an induction course.

At IRT each aged care employee will also be provided with a tailored annual education plan that targets key topics such as fire safety, infection control, elder protection and manual handling. These are complemented each year with priority topics that we determine annually.

What does an aged care worker do?

An aged care worker is a general support person for residents living in an aged care centre who need help with their daily living and personal tasks. They offer various forms of personal, physical and/or emotional support to help residents stay healthy and improve their quality of life. They also facilitate activities to reinforce their wellbeing through social connection. From games and gardening to reading and mild exercise, aged care workers help to make sure residents are cared for, happy, and connected.

Aged care workers are generally friendly, patient and compassionate people who enjoy talking with older people as much as they enjoy assisting them with their tasks.

What are the duties of an aged care worker?

Aged care workers assist with the maintenance of personal care, domestic duties and daily living. They also provide companionship and emotional support, and facilitate social engagement and community participation. The duties of an aged care worker vary depending on the position and the requirements of the residents at a particular centre. Specific tasks and duties may include:

Assistance with feeding, showering, dressing and administering medications
Preparing meals and drinks
Tidying and cleaning, including sanitisation
Engaging with family members to offer observations, instructions and updates
Assisting with mobility and light exercise
Providing social support, such playing games, reading or escorting residents on outings to cafes and going on excursions
Following health and safety guidelines.

How do I become an aged care worker?

To work as an aged care worker, you must obtain a National Police Certificate and ideally a First Aid Certificate. Depending on the particular position, you may be required to have previous experience and additional employment screening is often necessary. Read the individual job description to determine if there’s further training or experience required.

Should I work in aged care?

If you have a caring and supportive attitude and are genuinely interested in helping to improve the lives of seniors, then working in aged care is a very rewarding career choice! There are several key skills and attributes that aged care workers need to create a successful career within the industry. Employers look out for those who are:

Caring and understanding
Patient, flexible able to exercise discretion
Supportive and empathetic
Committed to the rights of older people to live dignified lives
Able to accept responsibility
Good communicators
Able to work as part of a team
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Able to perform domestic duties efficiently.