overview
Health and social care is Australia's largest and fastest-growing sector, employing over 1.8 million people in 2021. This is set to rise to 2 million by 2025.
The sector incorporates care delivered by public and private hospitals, pharmacies and medical practices (GPs), aged care and disability providers, as well as dental and ambulance services. Many workers are female and part-time work is common.
The continuation of shortages of nurses, carers, support workers, allied health professionals and other key workers are reflected in the high and rising number of job advertisements.
The sector showed its outstanding professionalism and strength during a time of crisis. Despite this, the situation took a significant impact on staff, leading to a heightened emphasis on maintaining wellbeing and supporting mental health.
Advances in technology, including remote appointments and AI-powered diagnostics, were accelerated over the past few years. These developments have the potential to improve patient care and alleviate the workload on staff by increasing efficiency.
key facts
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where people work
Hospitals, medical centres, aged care facilities and in the community.
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rising demands
Expected shortages of 400,000 support staff by 2025.
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education
From certification for support staff to a degree in the chosen field and professional accreditation.
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impact of new technologies
Advances in diagnostics and greater use of remote consultation and care.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assessing client needs and facilitating access to community services
- Conducting individual and family case interviews to identify problems, assisting with resolving problems, acting as a mediator and referring them to community and self-help agencies
- Compiling case records and reports
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training and qualifications
Social work is self-regulated by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
An AASW-accredited bachelor of social work degree or master of social work (qualifying) is required for entry into the profession of social work, and to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for AASW membership.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assessing clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities
- Assessing clients' functional potential and recommending adaptations
- Planning and directing programmes through vocational, recreational, remedial, social and educational activities
- Providing advice about adapting clients' home, leisure, work and school environments
- Occupational therapists specialising in mental health support clients in areas such as helping them to understand their condition, take medication as required and gain access to work and community facilities
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training and qualifications
Starting point is a degree at an accredited university. Occupational therapists must be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and meet the Board's registration standards.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Improve the function of bodily systems
- Plan and discuss management of patients' dysfunction
- Design, assess and evaluate treatment programmes
- Use gentle movements to treat muscles, bones and joints, correct the movement of the spine to restore movement
- Educate patients, in-home exercises and lifestyle changes
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training and qualifications
Osteopaths are university trained and are regulated profession in Australia. To practise, you need either a degree in Health Science and Applied Science (Osteopathy) or a degree in Clinical Sciences, followed by a postgraduate qualification in Osteopathy.
Approved courses in Australia are accredited by the Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council.
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in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assess clients’ cognitive, behavioural and emotional disorders
- Administer and interpret diagnostic tests and formulate a treatment
- Conduct research
- Analyse and recommend educational programmes
- Develop interview techniques, psychological tests and other aids in workplace selection, placement, appraisal and promotion
- Conduct surveys and research studies on job design, work groups, morale, motivation, supervision and management
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training and qualifications
Starting point is a degree in psychology. Registration as a professional psychologist in Australia is overseen by the Psychology Board of Australia and also requires:
- A fifth and sixth year of graduate study in professional psychology; or
- One year of graduate study in professional psychology plus one year of a Board-approved internship; or
- Two years of a Board-approved internship.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Administer tests to determine the nature and extent of patient’s disorders
- Correct disorders such as stuttering and abnormal articulation
- Rehabilitation of patients with communication problems caused by defective hearing, cerebral palsy, surgery and injury
- Treatment for children with difficulties in learning to speak
- Counsel and guide speech-impaired individuals, their families, teachers and employers
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training and qualifications
To practise, you would require an accredited bachelor or master’s degree in speech-language pathology. To work in Australia, most employers, insurance schemes and funding bodies require speech pathologists to be a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP).
in-demand skills and qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assisting patients with their personal care needs e.g., showering, dressing
- Assisting patients with their mobility and communication needs
- Participating in planning the care of individuals
- Following therapy plans such as interventions to assist those with dementia and behavioural problems
- Observing and reporting changes in patients' condition
- Assisting with rehabilitation exercises, treatment and medications
- Providing direct support and assistance to therapists
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training and qualifications
Formal qualifications are not required, however, a certificate in Individual Support (Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015), Aged Care (Certificate II in Introduction to Aged Care) or Disability Care (Certificate II in Introduction to Disability Care) through vocational education and training (VET) studies can improve employability.
The capabilities that make a good carer include active listening, critical thinking and social perceptiveness needed to understand the person being cared for, their ways of communicating and how their care can be optimised.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for patients
- Working in consultation with other health professionals and members of health teams, and coordinating the care of patients
- Providing interventions, treatments and therapies such as medications, and monitoring responses to treatment and care plan
- Promoting health and assisting in preventing ill health
- Answering questions and providing information to patients and families
- Supervising and coordinating the work of enrolled nurses and other health care workers
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training and qualifications
To work as a nurse or midwife in Australia, you need to have completed a three-year bachelor of nursing or a bachelor of science (majoring in nursing) degree and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assess, plan, and implement nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practise and standards
- Provide interventions, treatments and therapies such as administering medications, and monitoring responses to treatments and care plans
- Assist registered nurses and other team members to co-ordinate and evaluating care provided
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training and qualification
To be an enrolled nurse, you usually need a diploma or advanced diploma in nursing and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). An endorsed enrolled nurse holds an endorsement to administer medications.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- Assist with basic patient care
- Carrying out simple dressings
- Cleaning equipment, making beds
- Implementing infection control measurements
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training and qualifications
A qualification in Health Assistance, (Certificate III), including a 120-hour work placement.
in-demand skills & qualifications
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tasks and duties
- assess clients' needs and plan, develop and implement educational, training and support programmes
- Interview clients and assess the nature and extent of difficulties
- Refer clients to agencies that can provide additional help
- Assess community needs and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services
- Liaise with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies
- Support families and provide education and care for children and disabled people in adult service units, group housing and government institutions
- Supervise offenders on probation and parole
- Assist young people to solve social, emotional and financial problems
- Prepare submissions for funding and resources, and reports to government bodies and other agencies
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training and qualifications
You usually need a formal qualification in Human Welfare. This could be a Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42015), a Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015), or a bachelor degree majoring in Social Science or Human Welfare. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
