Build your career as a Personal Care Assistant

health & community

Personal Care Assistant

Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals who need help due to age, illness, or disability. They work in various settings, such as private homes, assisted living facilities, and healthcare institutions, providing both practical and emotional support. As demand for skilled caregivers rises with an aging population, the role of a PCA offers strong job security, flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth. In fact, 39.4% of PCAs complete a Certificate III or IV, equipping them with essential skills to excel in this rewarding profession. This career allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives while enjoying stability and fulfillment.

 

Ready to take the next step? Explore online courses or vocational programs to start your journey as a Personal Care Assistant today!

Explore your career as an:

  • Outlook
  • Duties
  • Course Options
  • Blogs
EMPLOYED 42,300
PART-TIME SHARE 67%
AVERAGE FULL-TIME HOURS 42
MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS $1,216

The role of a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) offers a fulfilling career with growing demand, particularly due to an aging population. PCAs provide essential care, such as assisting with daily tasks, medication management, and mobility support, in a variety of settings like homes and care facilities. The job offers meaningful work, with many PCAs finding satisfaction in improving the quality of life for their clients. As demand rises, opportunities for growth and specialisation continue to expand, making it a rewarding career choice.

Gender Split

Employment by State

Highest Level of education (%)

Age Brackets

What can you expect from working as a Personal Care Assistant?

A Personal Care Assistant plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals by providing compassionate support and assistance with daily living activities. This comprehensive support helps individuals maintain their independence and enhances their overall quality of life. Key duties include:

  1. Personal Hygiene: Assisting with bathing, grooming, and dressing to maintain personal cleanliness and comfort.
  2. Mobility Support: Helping clients move safely, including transfers from bed to chair and walking assistance.
  3. Meal Preparation: Preparing nutritious meals and assisting with feeding, ensuring dietary needs are met.
  4. Medication Management: Administering medications as prescribed and monitoring for any side effects.
  5. Housekeeping: Performing light housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean and safe living environment.
  6. Companionship: Offering emotional support and companionship to promote social engagement and mental well-being.
  7. Health Monitoring: Observing and reporting any changes in health conditions to family members or healthcare professionals.
  8. Toileting Assistance: Helping with toileting needs and incontinence care with dignity and respect.
  9. Transportation Support: Assisting with shopping, errands, and providing transportation to appointments.
  10. Safety Assurance: Ensuring the client’s living space is safe, comfortable, and conducive to their needs.

How to become a Personal Care Assistant?

To become a Personal Care Assistant, you typically need a high school diploma and relevant training, which can be obtained through online courses or Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. These educational pathways provide essential skills and knowledge, making it easier to start a rewarding career in the healthcare sector.

CHC43121

Certificate IV in Disability Support

Get ready to empower vulnerable people. Become a sought-after care worker who has all the advanced skills needed to provide excellent individualised care. Graduate industry ready to make your mark and lead a team of support workers to...
View Course
CHC43015

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Take the next step in your career by equipping yourself with the in-demand skills needed to thrive in the aged care sector. You’ll be rewarded with diverse job opportunities and the knowledge that you’re making a difference.
View Course
Top 5 Differences between a Certificate IV in Disability Support vs a Certificate III in Individual Support

Top 5 Differences between a Certificate IV in Disability Support vs a Certificate III in Individual Support

Open Colleges
July 25, 2024
How to become a youth worker in Australia

How to become a youth worker in Australia

February 21, 2024
Top qualities of a successful Healthcare Aide

Top qualities of a successful Healthcare Aide

August 19, 2023
Workers in Need: A Look at the Aging Care Crisis

Workers in Need: A Look at the Aging Care Crisis

Open Colleges
March 23rd, 2023
A Day in the Life of a Youth Worker

A Day in the Life of a Youth Worker

Open Colleges
September 15, 2022
Kick-start a career in Physical Therapy!

Kick-start a career in Physical Therapy!

Open Colleges
July 26th, 2022
What is person centred care and why is it important?

What is person centred care and why is it important?

Open Colleges
December 22nd, 2021
How Counselling skills can boost your employability and help you excel

How Counselling skills can boost your employability and help you excel

Open Colleges
November 23rd, 2021
Healthcare service courses that add value to your career

Healthcare service courses that add value to your career

Open Colleges
September 24th, 2021
What’s the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychologist?

What’s the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychologist?

Open Colleges
August 27th, 2021
How to build rapport with new counselling clients

How to build rapport with new counselling clients

Open Colleges
August 25th, 2021
5 Golden Rules for Using Self-Disclosure in Counselling

5 Golden Rules for Using Self-Disclosure in Counselling

Open Colleges
August 25th, 2021
Why is it important to give back to the community?

Why is it important to give back to the community?

Open Colleges
July 30th, 2021
Top 5 skills of an effective Counsellor

Top 5 skills of an effective Counsellor

Open Colleges
July 28th, 2021
What are the latest emerging trends in physiotherapy?

What are the latest emerging trends in physiotherapy?

Open Colleges
July 22nd, 2021
Working in community services: make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people

Working in community services: make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people

Open Colleges
June 29th, 2021
What qualification do I need to become an Assistant in Nursing?

What qualification do I need to become an Assistant in Nursing?

Open Colleges
June 24th, 2021
What are the requirements to study a Diploma of Nursing?

What are the requirements to study a Diploma of Nursing?

Open Colleges
June 18th, 2021
How to become an Occupational Therapist

How to become an Occupational Therapist

Open Colleges
April 28th, 2021
How can I prepare for an interview in the aged care industry?

How can I prepare for an interview in the aged care industry?

Open Colleges
February 25th, 2021
How to become a Case Manager

How to become a Case Manager

Open Colleges
February 25th, 2021
Skills needed to be a Youth Worker

Skills needed to be a Youth Worker

Open Colleges
February 18th, 2021
Working As a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Working As a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Open Colleges
February 9th, 2021
What are the different types of jobs in aged care?

What are the different types of jobs in aged care?

Open Colleges
December 16th, 2020
Educational and Career Paths in Mental Health

Educational and Career Paths in Mental Health

Open Colleges
December 13th, 2020
How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant

How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant

Open Colleges
November 29th, 2020
The role of a Mental Health Worker and why it’s so important

The role of a Mental Health Worker and why it’s so important

Open Colleges
October 28th, 2020
High demand, growing industry: Why you should become a Home Care Worker

High demand, growing industry: Why you should become a Home Care Worker

Open Colleges
October 27th, 2020
How to get your foot in the door of the health industry

How to get your foot in the door of the health industry

Open Colleges
October 23rd, 2020
The importance of physical and mental health in at-risk communities

The importance of physical and mental health in at-risk communities

Open Colleges
October 16th, 2020
What qualifications do I need to be a Youth Worker?

What qualifications do I need to be a Youth Worker?

Open Colleges
September 30th, 2020
The importance of Mental Health Workers in Australia

The importance of Mental Health Workers in Australia

Open Colleges
August 24th, 2020
10 reasons to start a career in community services

10 reasons to start a career in community services

Open Colleges
August 3rd, 2020
A day in the life of an Allied Health Assistant

A day in the life of an Allied Health Assistant

Open Colleges
July 31st, 2020
What skills do you need to work in aged care?

What skills do you need to work in aged care?

Open Colleges
July 28th, 2020
What does a Youth Worker do?

What does a Youth Worker do?

Open Colleges
July 22nd, 2020
What is it like to be a Dental Hygienist?

What is it like to be a Dental Hygienist?

Open Colleges
July 16th, 2020
Where could your career as a Health Services Assistant take you?

Where could your career as a Health Services Assistant take you?

Open Colleges
July 08th, 2020
Why Dental Assisting is a good career choice

Why Dental Assisting is a good career choice

Open Colleges
June 19th, 2020
How can a VET dental qualification help your career prospects?

How can a VET dental qualification help your career prospects?

Open Colleges
June 19th, 2020
Why we need more male nurses in Australia

Why we need more male nurses in Australia

Open Colleges
June 2nd, 2020
Essential Skills Needed for Physiotherapy

Essential Skills Needed for Physiotherapy

Open Colleges
May 26th, 2020
What it’s really like being a Disability Support Worker under 30

What it’s really like being a Disability Support Worker under 30

Open Colleges
May 14th, 2020
Why is nursing the most trusted profession in Australia?

Why is nursing the most trusted profession in Australia?

Open Colleges
May 07th, 2020
Benefits of working as a Disability Support worker

Benefits of working as a Disability Support worker

Open Colleges
April 23rd, 2020
7 things no one told you about working in aged care

7 things no one told you about working in aged care

Open Colleges
March 27th, 2020
A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant

A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant

Open Colleges
March 20th, 2020
5 reasons to start a career in disability services

5 reasons to start a career in disability services

Open Colleges
March 6th, 2020
The top 5 reasons to work with elderly people

The top 5 reasons to work with elderly people

Open Colleges
February 8th, 2020
Is nursing a good career?

Is nursing a good career?

Open Colleges
November 25th, 2019
What are the job responsibilities of a Speech Therapist?

What are the job responsibilities of a Speech Therapist?

Open Colleges
October 25, 2019
Why Community Service Is Good for the Brain

Why Community Service Is Good for the Brain

Open Colleges
October 24th, 2019
How to become an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Support Worker

How to become an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Support Worker

Open Colleges
October 14th, 2019
A Physiotherapy Career: What is it Like to Work as a Physiotherapist?

A Physiotherapy Career: What is it Like to Work as a Physiotherapist?

Open Colleges
September 23rd, 2019
10 Personality Traits Required to be a Community Services Worker

10 Personality Traits Required to be a Community Services Worker

Open Colleges
July 23th, 2019
What does a dental assistant do?

What does a dental assistant do?

Open Colleges
March 19th, 2019
How to recharge when work and study is overwhelming you

How to recharge when work and study is overwhelming you

Open Colleges
March 4th, 2019
Why become a Nursing Assistant?

Why become a Nursing Assistant?

Open Colleges
February 08th, 2019
5 signs you should consider a career in counselling

5 signs you should consider a career in counselling

Open Colleges
October 30th, 2018
How Maintaining a Positive Outlook Can Help Us Learn

How Maintaining a Positive Outlook Can Help Us Learn

Open Colleges
August 17th, 2018
5 Cognitive Advantages of People With ADHD

5 Cognitive Advantages of People With ADHD

Open Colleges
January 10th, 2018
Why study leisure and health?

Why study leisure and health?

Open Colleges
August 22nd, 2017
Why Silence Is Good For Your Brain

Why Silence Is Good For Your Brain

Open Colleges
October 22nd, 2016
Why you should schedule in free time (and what to do with it)

Why you should schedule in free time (and what to do with it)

Open Colleges
October 10th, 2016
How to make new friends as an adult

How to make new friends as an adult

Open Colleges
September 19th, 2016
Parent shaming: it’s time to stop it now

Parent shaming: it’s time to stop it now

Open Colleges
August 16th, 2016
13 of the best career podcasts to inspire and encourage you

13 of the best career podcasts to inspire and encourage you

Open Colleges
June 7th, 2016
14 instant pick-me-ups for when you need a boost

14 instant pick-me-ups for when you need a boost

Open Colleges
June 1st, 2016
Things to remember when life seems too hard

Things to remember when life seems too hard

Open Colleges
May 23rd, 2016
7 Brain-Based Ways to Stop Forgetting

7 Brain-Based Ways to Stop Forgetting

Open Colleges
May 9th, 2016
8 young people who are changing the world

8 young people who are changing the world

Open Colleges
April 26th, 2016
Imagine your future and create your reality

Imagine your future and create your reality

Open Colleges
September 2nd, 2014
What Does It Mean To Be Intelligent?

What Does It Mean To Be Intelligent?

Open Colleges
June 21st, 2013
Students Can Benefit from Participation in Community Service Studies Show

Students Can Benefit from Participation in Community Service Studies Show

Open Colleges
May 23rd, 2013
50 Non-Profit Organisations That Educate People In Need

50 Non-Profit Organisations That Educate People In Need

Open Colleges
pril 16th, 2013
15 Strategies Educators Can Use to Stop Cyberbullying

15 Strategies Educators Can Use to Stop Cyberbullying

Open Colleges
October 26th, 2012
Displaying page of

*The information on this page is sourced from the Jobs and Skills Australia website, based on their occupational data collected in May 2024. Where job titles may not be exact matches, related job areas have been used. This data is intended as a guide only.

Advance your career with Accredited Online Courses

Gain industry-recognised qualifications with our flexible online courses in Australia. Study at your own pace and achieve your career goals from the comfort of your home.

Start your journey today
    Start your journey today