You tell a career counselor you want to “help people.” They nod, smile, and hand you a brochure for a four-year psychology degree at a fancy uni.
Chuck that brochure in the recycling bin.
I have spent twenty years hiring, firing, and training support workers across Australia. I see the same mistake every single month. People spend thousands of dollars on HECS debt and years of their lives on theory when they should have focused on skills. You do not need a PhD to make a difference. You need a ticket that proves you can handle the work without falling apart.
If you actually want a job that pays the bills and lets you help people, you have two real options. You either go for the kids, or you go for the seniors.
Here is the no-nonsense guide on where to start.
Option 1: The Kid Route
Let’s be real about working with children. It is not about finger painting or singing The Wiggles. It is about crowd control, safety, and meeting National Quality Standards.
If you think you want this, look at Early Childhood Education courses. Specifically, look for the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
This is the baseline. It’s the gatekeeper.
I remember hiring a woman named Linda a few years back. She was a mum of three from the suburbs. She thought her “life experience” was enough. It wasn’t. She lasted two days. Why? Because raising your own kids is different from managing fifteen toddlers who are all crying, hungry, or needing a nappy change at the exact same time while you are trying to maintain the correct educator-to-child ratios.
A good course in Early Childhood Education teaches you the stuff you do not think about. It covers the legal requirements. It covers anaphylaxis training. It teaches you how to document a child’s learning so the parents know you aren’t just letting them watch Bluey all day.
Employers do not care if you “love kids.” We assume you do. We care if you have your Working With Children Check sorted. We care if you understand the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
Get the Cert III. It shows you treat this as a profession, not a hobby. Plus, the burnout rate in childcare is high. A proper TAFE or RTO course prepares you for the noise and the chaos. If you can survive the prac placement, you can survive the job.
Option 2: The Senior Route
Maybe screaming kids aren’t your vibe. Maybe you prefer a yarn, a bit of history, and a slower pace.
This is where Aged care in home support comes in.
This sector is exploding. I am not exaggerating. The Australian population is aging rapidly. We do not have enough workers. If you get qualified here, you will never be out of work.
Start with a CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. Make sure you pick the specialisation for Ageing or Home and Community.
I prefer hiring people with the Home and Community focus. Why? Because residential care is changing. More seniors want to stay in their own homes. They do not want to go to a facility. They want independence, and the government’s Home Care Packages are designed to keep them there.
This job is intimate. You are going into someone’s sanctuary. You might be helping them shower. You might be helping them cook. You are definitely going to be their main source of social interaction for the day.
I once worked with a bloke who refused to take the course because he thought it was “just cleaning.” He was wrong. It is risk management. It is spotting a bruise that wasn’t there yesterday. It is noticing that Mrs. Jones hasn’t eaten her toast and knowing that might mean her medication needs adjusting.
The course teaches you how to use a hoist so you don’t do your back in. It teaches you about dignity. It teaches you how to handle dementia patients who might get aggressive because they are scared.
You cannot learn that on the fly. You need the training.
The Great Divide: Which One Fits You?
You need to pick a lane. Do not try to do both right at the start.
Ask yourself this question. Do you have high physical energy or high emotional patience?
Choose Early Childhood Education if:
- You can move fast.
- You don’t mind noise.
- You are okay with constant germs.
- You want to see rapid development. Kids change every week.
Choose Aged care in home support if:
- You are a good listener.
- You have a strong stomach.
- You are patient with repetition.
- You want to help someone maintain their dignity at the end of their life.
I have seen people try to switch lanes. It rarely works well without retraining. A toddler needs you to be loud and animated. A senior with sensory issues needs you to be calm and predictable. They are opposite skill sets.
The Money Talk
Let’s talk dollars because passion doesn’t pay Sydney or Melbourne rent.
Entry-level pay for both these sectors falls under specific Awards, so you aren’t going to be buying a yacht. But here is the thing. The ceiling for Aged care in home support is often higher if you play your cards right.
Once you have experience, you can work across the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) as well. The rates for independent support workers with an ABN can be significantly higher than award wages for employees.
Childcare is more rigid. You usually work for a centre. The hours are set. The pay is standardised. It is stable, but it is capped unless you move into being a Room Leader or Centre Director.
Just Start Somewhere
The worst thing you can do is sit around thinking about it.
I see resumes with gaps because people spent a year “researching” their passion. That is a red flag. I want to see action.
Go to your local TAFE. Look at the Free TAFE list, both these courses are often fee-free in many states because the government is desperate for workers. Call a local provider and ask to shadow someone for an hour.
You will know within ten minutes if it is for you.
When I started, I thought I wanted to be a high school teacher. One day in a classroom cured me of that. I moved to support work and never looked back. You have to get your hands dirty to know what fits.
Pick a course. Enrol. Show up.
Australia is full of people who want to help. We need people who are actually qualified to do it.
Be one of those people.
