Why the Aged Care and Disability Sector in Australia Has Growing Demand and What it Means for Your Career?

Introduction

The aged care and disability sector in Australia is experiencing strong growth, creating more opportunities for people seeking meaningful and stable careers. With an increasing number of older Australians and people living with disability requiring support, skilled professionals are in high demand.

This growth is not just about numbers but reflects changes in how care is delivered. Expanding service models, including Support at Homehome care and community-based programs, are creating more varied roles and career pathways, allowing individuals to gain practical skills while making a real difference.

Factors Driving Growth in Aged Care and Disability Careers

The demand for skilled workers in the aged care and disability sector in Australia continues to rise due to several key trends. Understanding these factors helps career changers see why now is an ideal time to enter the field and what opportunities are available:

Ageing Population

Australia’s population is ageing, a major factor contributing to the growing need for care. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were an estimated 4.2 million

Australians aged 65 or older in 2020, representing about 16% of the total Australian population. It is still expected to grow up to 2026, making up 23% of the population.

These demographic trends signify that more older adults now require support for daily living, health management, and social engagement. This means more positions are needed to provide personal care, assistance with daily tasks, and support that maintains quality of life.

Living With Long-Term Conditions

Many older Australians live with long-term health conditions or disabilities, increasing the need for skilled support. In 2022, 52.3% of Australians aged 65 or over had a disability. People with long-term conditions often require assistance with personal care, mobility, therapy, and community participation. As a result, trained workers who understand both aged care and disability support become increasingly essential.

Admissions Into Aged Care Are Rising

The number of people entering aged care services has steadily increased in recent years. From 2023 to 2024, aged care admissions for people aged 85 and over grew by 35%. This includes both residential facilities and home care packages.

With the increasing admissions, these foster wider access to care and changing expectations about quality services. For someone entering the sector, it means immediate demand for trained staff and longer-term prospects for career progression.

Increasing Community Awareness

As the public becomes more informed about aged care and disability services, demand for skilled support workers grows. Families are seeking quality care options and trained professionals who can provide safe, respectful, and personalised support. This growing awareness encourages more people to access care, which in turn creates a broader need for skilled and trained workers across the sector.

Expanded Service Models

Care services are no longer limited to residential facilities. Support at HomeHome care,community-based programs, and specialised support services are growing rapidly. These expanded models require workers who are adaptable and trained in multiple care settings, creating a broader range of roles and responsibilities. For career changers, this flexibility offers opportunities to work in environments that suit their skills and lifestyle.

Turning Sector Growth into Career Opportunities

This rising demand for aged and disability care creates more career paths. You can start in a manageable role, gain skills and confidence, and gradually move into higher responsibility as the sector continues to need qualified workers.

• Entry-level roles. With ongoing care needs, support worker positions are widely available in Support at Home home care, Residential Careaged residences, and community settings. These roles provide hands-on experience and a solid foundation for building a professional career.
  
  
• Career progression. As you gain experience, there are opportunities to move into higher-responsibility roles, such as team leader, case manager, or specialised care positions, including dementia or disability support.
  
  
• Flexible work. Many roles offer part-time, shift-based, or casual arrangements, allowing you to balance study, personal commitments, or other work while gaining experience in aged and disability care settings.
  

This makes the sector a practical choice for anyone looking to build a stable and meaningful career in aged care and disability support

Why Working in Care Is More Than a Job?

You can choose care as a career not only for demand or stability but for the type of work itself. Many find it deeply rewarding because it combines meaningful contribution with practical skill development.

At Australian Institute of Career Education (AICE), we offer some courses designed to help students gain real-world experience and the skills needed to thrive in the growing care sector.

• Impactful daily work. Every shift, you support someone’s independence, dignity, or quality of life.
• Skill growth. You don’t just learn personal care, but you also build communication, problem-solving, time management, and reporting skills that are highly valued in the sector.
• Job variety. The roles are wide-ranging. You could work in in-home care, disability support, residential aged care, or community outreach.
• Long-term potential. As the sector expands, opportunities to lead, specialise, or mentor others continue to grow, providing clear pathways for career progression.

FAQs About Working in the Aged Care and Disability Sector

Do I need prior experience to get started

No, you don’t need prior care experience. Our entry-level training through the aged care and disability support worker course equips you with the core skills like communication, personal care, and safety, which will include a 120-hour work placement.

What kind of personality suits this field?

A caring, patient, and reliable nature fits really well. As a support worker, you will work closely with clients of all ages, so having empathy and consistency helps immensely as you train and grow through placement.

Is there room to grow after my first role?

Yes. Completing a qualification opens the door to roles with more responsibility, such as team lead or specialised care, and you can progress through further training.

Is the training flexible?

It can be. Many care roles are shift-based or part-time, so you can balance study, work, or other commitments. Flexibility depends on the specific care setting and your availability.

How long does training take?

Our CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support for Ageing and Disability typically takes between 0.5 and 1 year, depending on the delivery mode.

A Career That Aligns with Real Community Needs

The rising demand across the aged care and disability sector in Australia shows how important skilled support workers are becoming. By entering the field through aged care and disability courses, you build skills that directly support older clients who are in need. Moreover, you step into a profession that continues to expand, offering stability and long-term potential.

AICE has been training professionals for more than 12 years. As a registered training organisation and a subsidiary of St Jude’s Health Care Services, we provide nationally recognised qualifications backed by placement opportunities and real industry expertise.

With over 40 years of combined experience across disability services and aged care courses, we are also committed to helping learners gain the confidence and capability to attain a rewarding career and become valuable professionals.

If you’re ready to learn, train, and start a career that’s growing, meaningful, and in demand, AICE can help you take that first step. Your next move could open the door to work that truly matters. Contact us today to get started.