Aged Care Worker Survey results
The Aged Care Worker Survey helps us understand more about workforce satisfaction, training and qualifications as well as workforce motivations and intentions.
The survey was open between March and April 2024 and we heard from over 21,000 people who work in aged care. Of those who responded:
- over 85% were female
- the average age was 47
- around 57% were born in Australia
- around 40% speak a language other than English
- 2.5% identified as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- two thirds were personal/home care workers and assistants and about a fifth were nurses
- 45% worked in a major city.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. The results will help inform future aged care workforce policies and programs.
What we heard
Most workers surveyed were satisfied working in aged care and one of the top reasons they work in aged care is the positive change they make in people's lives.
Job satisfaction
- 64% were satisfied working in aged care
- 68% were satisfied with their job security
- 90% felt they have the skills and abilities to do their job well
- 40% were dissatisfied with their total pay.
Working in aged care
- 65% want to keep working in the aged care sector
- 43% have worked in the aged care sector for more than 10 years.
Top 5 reasons for working in aged care
- to make a positive change in people's lives
- an interest in working with older people
- location of jobs and opportunity to work close to home
- alignment to personal values
- availability and security of employment.
Type and hours of work
- 58% worked on a permanent part-time basis and worked an average of 26 paid hours in the week prior to completing the survey
- the average number of unpaid hours worked was 6.5 hours in the week prior to completing the survey
- 62% of respondents said they would not like to change the hours they work.
Training and qualifications
- most common training completed was infection prevention and control training, followed by dementia care training
- most common completed qualification was a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), followed by a Certificate III in Aged Care and a Bachelor of Nursing
- only 4.6% of respondents had not completed an educational qualification.
What we're doing
We recently released the Professional Framework which shows how we are working to build and strengthen the aged care workforce. It outlines the key actions we are taking to achieve this.
We will be talking with aged care workers to better understand some of the issues they face working in the sector.
Read the full report or view the highlights.
Let's change aged care, together
Every Australian should feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.
The changes mean Older people will have greater choice and control, services that respect and meet their needs, and support to stay independent as they age.
To find out more and help design the changes, visit the Get Involved page or call 1800 318 209.