ANZSCO code
423313 Personal Care Assistant
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Personal Care Assistant in Australia
To hire a personal care assistant, define what the role will and will not do, choose the right award for residential or home care, and set your screening standard. There is no national registration. CrossNation recruits personal care assistants for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
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
Common entry qualification
Certificate III in Individual Support
Source: training.gov.au: National register of VET qualifications (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Registration
No national registration for personal care assistants
Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Aged Care Award [MA000018]; home care may fall under MA000100
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
What scope should a PCA position description set?
A personal care assistant supports daily living: showering, dressing, continence care, meals, mobility and keeping a safe, tidy environment. The position description should say which tasks the PCA performs, which are reserved for nurses, and what the policy is on medication assistance, because that depends on your policy, training and state rules. Set out how the PCA records care and reports changes to a nurse. Clear scope protects clients and gives PCAs confidence about what they are accountable for. It also makes awards easier to apply, because the classification follows the duties.
How do residential and home care PCA roles differ for you?
Residential PCAs work in a team with a nurse on site, on rostered shifts across the week. Home care PCAs visit clients alone, so you need a lone worker policy, clear visit times, a plan for travel between clients and a way to escalate concerns promptly. Say whether a car and licence are required and whether you provide vehicle allowances. Recruiters can only find people who want the pattern you describe, so be specific about hours, split shifts and the balance of weekends. Candidates with home care experience and residential experience are different pools.
Which award and checks apply to PCAs?
Residential staff are commonly covered by the Aged Care Award [MA000018], while home care workers can fall under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100] or an agreement. Decide which applies to your service and set the classification in writing. Most providers require a Certificate III in Individual Support and a national police check, plus identity and work rights evidence. Workers in aged care follow the Aged Care Code of Conduct. We do not publish pay figures. Check minimum rates with the Fair Work Pay Calculator for the award you apply.
How do you keep PCAs once they start?
Personal care work is physically and emotionally demanding, so retention depends on roster fairness, training and feeling backed up. Give new PCAs a buddy for the first shifts, explain manual handling equipment, and make sure they know how to raise a concern about a client without penalty. Offer regular hours where you can, and be clear about how travel time and split shifts are paid under your award. Keep a short list of refresher training, such as dementia care, infection control and manual handling, so skills grow while workers stay with you.
Before you brief a recruiter: personal care assistant checklist
Checklist
- Write duties and limits into the position description
- Decide the medication assistance policy and training
- Choose the award for residential or home care and record the classification
- Require a national police check and identity and work rights evidence
- For home care, set lone worker and travel-time arrangements
- Confirm whether a car and licence are required
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can PCAs help with medication?
It depends on your policy, the training the worker has and state rules. State the position in the position description so the worker and your nurses are clear.
Do PCAs need registration with Ahpra?
No. Personal care assistants are not registered with Ahpra. Employers set requirements such as the Certificate III and police check.
Are personal care attendants and personal care aides the same as PCAs?
In job ads the titles overlap. Describe the duties and the classification rather than relying on the title, so candidates with any of the three titles can see whether the role fits them.
Should I hire PCAs as casuals or part-timers?
Both are used. Casual work gives flexibility but comes with award rules on loading and shifts, while part-time hours give workers more security. Choose the pattern that fits your roster and set it out in the contract.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a personal care assistant?
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 personal care assistants for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas personal care assistant through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Personal care roles often sit outside the standard skilled visa lists, so an employer should take advice from a registered migration agent before relying on overseas hiring. 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.