Personal care assistant job description

Most personal care assistant positions require at least a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community or Disability). This qualification covers essential personal care skills, infection control, dignity in care and communication with clients. Track qualifications and certifications using HR software.

Yes, personal care assistants need valid First Aid and CPR certificates. A National Police Check is mandatory, and an NDIS Worker Screening Check or equivalent may be required depending on the setting. Manual handling training and infection control training are also essential.

For entry-level positions with Certificate III, relevant work placement experience is valuable. For experienced roles, look for previous personal care experience in aged care or disability settings, confidence with intimate personal care, understanding of dignity and privacy, and ability to work with clients with diverse needs.

Most organisations require Certificate III in Individual Support as a minimum. However, you can hire trainees who are enrolled in or commencing this qualification, provided they receive appropriate supervision and support during their training period.

This depends on your service delivery model. Permanent staff provide consistency for clients, while casuals offer flexibility for variable demand. Many organisations use a mix — permanent staff for regular clients and casuals for additional coverage. See our guide on casual vs permanent employment trends.

Penalty rates under both the Aged Care Award and SCHADS Award apply for: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, evening shifts, night shifts and overtime. Personal care services often operate 24/7 or on weekends. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Under both the Aged Care Award and SCHADS Award, minimum engagement periods apply — typically 2 hours for casual employees. However, actual shift lengths often depend on client needs and funding models. Check the relevant award for specific requirements.

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type (casual/part-time/full-time), hourly rate or salary, applicable award, reporting structure, main duties, work locations, shift patterns, uniform requirements if applicable, and vaccination requirements. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Under both the Aged Care Award and SCHADS Award, rosters must be provided at least 7 days in advance. Changes within this period require employee agreement unless due to unforeseen circumstances. Using rostering software helps support compliance and gives staff visibility of their upcoming shifts.

Yes, for community-based personal care roles, travel between clients is common. Ensure you pay for travel time in accordance with the applicable award, and consider vehicle and insurance requirements. Clearly communicate travel expectations in the job description.

Under both awards, employees working more than 5 hours are entitled to an unpaid meal break. Paid rest breaks also apply based on shift length. For home visits, break arrangements should be planned to support compliance. Use rostering tools to manage breaks effectively.

Group clients by geographic location to minimise travel time, schedule consistent workers for each client where possible to build relationships, and allow adequate time between appointments for travel and documentation. Use rostering software to improve routes and schedules.