FAQ
What is Care Community?
Care Community is the Western Australian Home Care Workforce Support Program. A federal government project started to help grow and improve the workforce in the aged care industry.
We help recruit workers into the aged care industry for home care.
Our goal is to grow and upskill 1,400 skilled home care workers by March 2024, including an increase in diversity of gender, culture, language, age and regionally located staff.
For any further information on Care Community visit our website carecommunity.org.au
How does Care Community help home care providers?
We help care providers by sourcing new and experienced workers to meet their staffing needs. We also have projects that support training and retention of staff.
How does Care Community help home care workers?
Care Community supports people to obtain work in Home Care (Aged Care). We provide information on roles, opportunities and training options. We help people to identify the roles they want; understand and meet requirements; and connect them with work in their local area.
We provide post-employment support as well as opportunities for training, mentoring and career development.
What type of care does Care Community promote?
Care Community promotes work in the aged care sector. Our focus is Home Care work where people provide support to people in their homes to assist them to stay independent in the community.
What is Home Care?
Home Care involves providing care to older people in their homes to help them stay at home. It involves going into people’s houses. It requires driving to different homes during your shift and providing the different types of supports that individuals require. This might be help with domestic tasks such as vacuuming, cleaning, laundry, dishes and meal preparation. Sometimes people need assistance to access the community to go to an appointment or do their shopping. If you obtain training, you may also assist people with personal care tasks such as showering and dressing. Along the way, conversation and companionship is provided as you support people to stay within their community and in their own home.
Is it disability care or aged care?
We are specifically focussed on Aged Care. However, we do have some providers where workers can work in aged care as well as disability support. We don’t help people into roles that are just within the Disability Sector.
Why should I sign up with Care Community?
There are lots of different providers and opportunities that are available in Home Care. Care Community helps you understand what’s involved and the opportunities that are on offer. We can also assist you to become job ready. We work with different aged care providers across the Perth Metro area so we can match you with the job that is best suited to your skills, needs and location. We will also provide follow up support afterwards.
How do I sign up for Care Community?
Complete the registration on the website. Once you complete the registration, one of our friendly Care Community team will contact you directly.
Please click here to register for a role
What are the minimum requirements for working in Home Care (Aged Care)?
Required:
- Current valid driver’s licence
- Own reliable vehicle
- Comprehensive vehicle insurance
- National Police Clearance (ask us about this if you don’t have one)
- Communication and people skills
- Intermediate English
- Being a confident driver
- Able to pass a pre-employment medical (physical fitness)
Sometimes needed:
- First Aid Certificate (we can provide this if it is a requirement of the role)
- COVID vaccination
- Flu vaccination
For Support Worker positions you are generally required to have a Certificate III in Individual Support or similar. Considerable experience will also be considered.
What qualification do I need to work in Home Care (Aged Care)?
The standard qualification for a Home Care Worker is a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Home and Community Care) or similar.
If you have qualifications in a caring related area such as health, disability, childcare, community services etc, talk to us about how you can transfer your knowledge and skills into a Home Care role.
What’s a traineeship?
A traineeship is a formal training arrangement between an employer, an employee (trainee), and a training provider. Traineeships allow you to commence work in the industry whilst you work towards your qualification. This means that you get to work and study while being paid. If you complete a traineeship in Home Care you will get to complete your Certificate III in Individual Support. You need to be able to work a minimum of 15 hours a week. This traineeship usually takes 12-18 months to complete. You will be employed by the organisation and earn a wage whilst you earn your qualification.
Are there opportunities to progress?
There are entry level levels jobs in Home Care as Domestic Assistants. With training and/or completing a Certificate III in Individual Support, you can become a Community Support Worker or Personal Care Worker. People may progress to Team Leader or Supervisor Positions.
There are lots of other roles available in Aged Care such as Scheduling and Support Coordination. Experience and training can open doors in the Aged Care sector. You might also transfer your skills to other care areas such as Disability, Community Services or Mental Health. Nursing and Allied Health roles are possible with tertiary education.
What are the pay rates?
Pay rates for jobs in Home Care are based on the following Awards:
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100]
Please note there will be a increase in award rates for specific professions that fall under these awards from the 1st of July 2023
Is it casual, part time or full time?
Work in Home Care is flexible. A lot of work is part time. However, casual, and full times positions are also available.
I only want to work 1 day a week, is there a job for me?
Most employers do like 2-3 days minimum (not necessarily full days). However, we have a few providers that will consider 1 day availability for the right candidates. If you are interested, please still register. You can then discuss it with one of our staff.
How good does my English need to be?
English needs to be at least an intermediate level. You need to be able to easily hold conversations with people in their homes and communicate with staff. Safety and quality of care are important in the aged care industry, so worker’s need a high enough English levels to understand policies and procedures. Written English is required everyday to read care plans and makes notes.
How can I be eligible to work in home care (aged care)?
The minimum requirements are to have a caring personality and the ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing. If you then have a license and vehicle, you are probably eligible. See our full list of minimum requirements above. Register with Care Community and we can help you take the next steps.
What does a home care worker do in aged care?
It involves going into people’s houses. It requires driving to different homes during your shift and providing the supports that the individuals require. This might be help with domestic tasks such as vacuuming, cleaning, laundry, dishes and meal preparation. Sometimes people need assistance to access the community to go to an appointment or do their shopping. If you obtain training, you may also assist people with personal care tasks such as showering and dressing. Along the way, conversation and companionship is provided as you support people to stay within their community and in their own home.
What are the benefits of being an aged home care worker?
Aged care work can be demanding. Everyday you drive, help with practical tasks and provide care to people. However, our Home Care Workers have described the work as rewarding, meaningful, challenging, interesting… Home Care Worker is a job that allows you to give back to your community, build meaningful relationships and feel you are making a difference every day.
Home Care work can also be flexible around other commitments. Whether you are a parent trying to fit work around child commitments; a student looking to gain practical experience; or someone who wants to choose their days; a job in Home Care can fit well with the other parts of your life.
Do I need experience to work in Home Care (aged care)?
We have jobs for people with certificates, training and experience. We also have entry level work supporting elderly people with practical domestic tasks around the home. Once you have your foot in the door there are opportunities to upskill and train.
Do I need to drive to work in Home Care (aged care)?
Yes, you need to be confident driving as part of your job. You will also be required to use your own vehicle for work and ensure that it is safe, reliable and fully insured.
I don’t drive but I like the sound of aged care, can I still do this work?
Unfortunately, all our Home Care roles require driving to get from house to house. However, if you still like the idea of working in Aged Care, residential aged care roles (aged care homes) don’t usually require a license. To find out more about these and other care roles, try contacting your local Jobs & Skills Centre for career guidance:
I don’t have a qualification or certificate in aged care, can I still work?
Despite what many people think, you can get started in aged care without having completed your certificate first. If you have a caring personality and the ability to do practical household tasks, we can put you to good use. We have entry level positions, training opportunities and traineeships (see above). You will also need a license, car and the ability to hold a job where driving around is part of every day. If this sounds like you, read our minimum requirements section above and register on our website.
How can I learn more about aged care and Care Community?
Click on the link below to read more about us or complete an enquiry and one of our friendly staff will get back to you soon.
Candidate.homecare@nmtafe.wa.edu.au
Please call the below numbers to speak to our help desk:
- (08) 9427 1848
