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Employer guide

Hire an Aged Care Worker in Australia

To hire an aged care worker, decide the title and award classification, set the checks and qualifications you require, and brief the role by setting and shift pattern. There is no national registration for care workers, so your own screening matters. CrossNation recruits aged care workers for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.

  • 12% of annual salary

    Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.

  • 90-day placement guarantee

    See our terms.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

What you need to know

What screening should you set for care workers?

Because there is no national registration for personal care workers, the standard is set by your organisation and by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's requirements, including the Code of Conduct for aged care. Common requirements are a Certificate III in Individual Support, a national police check, identity and work rights evidence, and vaccination records. Decide whether you accept people who are close to completing the Certificate III, and whether first aid is a condition of starting. Document the decision for each hire. A consistent screening process is easier to defend than one made case by case.

How do you write a brief that attracts care workers?

State whether the role is residential or home care and what a shift looks like. For residential roles give the shift times, the mix of mornings, afternoons and nights, and the size of the unit. For home care say how long visits are, how travel between clients is paid and whether a car is needed. Workers compare titles such as personal care worker, personal care assistant and assistant in nursing, so use the title in your award and position description, and say what the person will and will not do. Mention training, orientation and dementia care support. These details matter more to candidates than a generic promise of a caring team.

Which award covers aged care workers?

Residential aged care workers are commonly covered by the Aged Care Award [MA000018], and home care workers can fall under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] or an enterprise agreement. The award sets minimum pay by level, penalty rates for weekends, public holidays and nights, overtime, allowances and rostering rules. Check which instrument applies to your service and set the classification in the contract. We do not publish pay figures here. The Fair Work Pay Calculator shows current minimum rates, and the aged care hiring guide on this site explains the award in more detail.

Before you brief a recruiter: aged care worker checklist

Checklist

  • Decide the title, classification and award or agreement
  • Set the minimum qualification and whether a trainee is acceptable
  • Require a national police check and record it
  • Collect identity, work rights and vaccination evidence
  • Explain shift pattern, unit size and orientation in the brief
  • For home care, state how travel between clients is paid

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a Certificate III mandatory for aged care workers?

Not under a single national rule, but most providers require it or expect workers to be close to completing it. Decide your standard and apply it consistently.

What is the difference between a PCA, PCW and AIN?

The titles often describe similar hands-on care work, and some employers use assistant in nursing for roles with extra tasks under nurse supervision. Use the title in your award classification and spell out the duties.

Can I hire casual care workers?

Yes. Casual employment is common, but casual employees have award entitlements too, including the casual loading where the award provides for it. Check the award and the Fair Work guidance on casual employees.

How does CrossNation charge to recruit an aged care worker?

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits aged care workers for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.

Can I recruit an overseas aged care worker through CrossNation?

CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Direct-care aged care roles can sit outside the standard skilled visa lists, so employers should take advice early from a registered migration agent. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

What should I verify before I offer a aged care worker the job?

Personal care workers are not registered with Ahpra. Employers set their own requirements, commonly a Certificate III in Individual Support and a police check. For an aged care worker, the award that commonly applies is the Aged Care Award (MA000018), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your aged care worker, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.

Related

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)