Personal Care Worker Jobs in Australia
Flexible shifts. Meaningful work. Join Homage as a personal care worker in Melbourne, Adelaide, or Perth.
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What is a personal care worker?
A personal care worker (PCW) provides hands-on support to older people and people living with disability, helping them live safely and independently at home or in a care setting.
In home care and NDIS settings, personal care workers are often a client’s most consistent point of contact, building genuine relationships that shape someone’s quality of life every day.
Our personal care workers help families with
- Bathing, showering, and grooming
- Dressing and personal hygiene
- Toileting and continence care
- Mobility assistance and transfers
- Medication reminders and monitoring
- Skin care and pressure area management
Why join us as a Homage personal care worker?
Competitive Pay
Experience-based pay that recognises your skills and rewards you for the care you bring
Flexible Hours
Work around your life. Choose morning, evening, weekend, or regular rounds, shifts that fit your schedule, not the other way around
Clients You’ll Care About
Consistent, long-term matches. We match you carefully to clients so you build real relationships and show up to familiar faces
Insurance Coverage
Professional indemnity for all care visits, enjoy peace of mind while you deliver care.
Meaningful Work, Real Impact
Deliver care that genuinely changes lives, not just tick boxes
Beyond Just Homes
Gain exposure to caregiving across a variety of settings including aged care facilities and hospitals.
What qualifications do you need to be a personal care worker in Australia?
Requirements vary depending on the type of care you provide.
Mandatory for all care workers
First Aid and CPR certificate: Required for all personal care roles. Typically costs $100 to $150 and is valid for one to three years.
If you are providing aged care:
- Police certificate: Required for aged care workers. A Statutory Declaration Form is also required as part of the screening process.
- Note: An NDIS Worker Screening Check is not required for aged care roles.
If you are supporting NDIS participants (disability care):
- NDIS Worker Screening Check: Required for all workers with registered NDIS providers. Valid for 5 years, nationally portable, and applied for through your state or territory screening unit. This covers your background check — a separate police certificate is not required.
- Working with Children Check: Required for disability care roles involving participants under 18.
How to apply to be a personal care worker
Joining the Homage team is straightforward. Here is what to expect:
Prepare your documents
You will need your Certificate III (or proof of enrolment), NDIS Worker Screening Check, First Aid certificate, and two professional references.
Apply online
Submit your application through our careers page. Our team reviews every application personally.
Screening and interview
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a phone screening and, where applicable, a face-to-face or virtual interview.
Onboarding
Once cleared, you will meet your care coordinator and be matched to clients suited to your skills and location.
Personal care worker vs support worker: What is the difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but have practical distinctions in Australia:
| Aspect | Personal Care Worker | Support Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Hands-on personal care (hygiene, mobility, clinical tasks) | Broader daily living, community access, companionship |
| Qualification required | Certificate III in Individual Support (for personal care) | Not always required for social/domestic roles |
| Award | Aged Care Award 2010 (residential) or SCHADS Award (community) | Typically SCHADS Award |
| Supervision | Under the direction of a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse in residential settings | More autonomous in community settings |
| Typical settings | Aged care homes, home care packages, NDIS | NDIS community access, home care, day programs |
Top questions about Homage Personal Care Worker
What does a personal care worker do?
A personal care worker provides hands-on support with daily living: bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transport.
In home care settings, PCWs also provide companionship and social support. At Homage, every carer is backed by a registered nurse and care coordinator. Learn more about Homage personal care
What qualifications do I need to be a personal care worker in Australia?
Most employers require a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) with a specialisation in aged care, disability, or home and community care.
The screening requirements differ depending on the type of care you provide:
- Aged care: You will need a police certificate and a Statutory Declaration Form, along with a valid First Aid and CPR certificate.
- Disability/NDIS care: You will need an NDIS Worker Screening Check (which covers your background check, so no separate police certificate is needed), a Working with Children Check if you support participants under 18, and a valid First Aid and CPR certificate.
Experienced carers with two or more years of verified professional experience may be considered without a formal qualification for some roles
How much does a personal care worker earn in Australia?
As of 2025, personal care workers typically earn $28 to $36 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and employer.
Workers with a Certificate IV or in senior roles can earn $36 to $40 or above. Weekend, public holiday, and after-hours shifts attract penalty rates under the Aged Care Award 2010 or SCHADS Award, which can significantly increase weekly take-home pay.
Do I need experience to start as a personal care worker?
Not necessarily. Many providers hire new graduates who have completed the work placement component of their Certificate III.
Transferable skills from nursing, childcare, teaching, or hospitality are highly valued. Compassion, reliability, and a willingness to learn matter most. An earn-and-learn traineeship is a great way to get started if you are new to the sector
What is an NDIS Worker Screening Check and do I need one?
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a mandatory national background check for workers in risk-assessed roles with registered NDIS providers. It is valid for up to five years and nationally portable.
Apply through your state or territory screening unit and allow four to six weeks for processing. If you hold this check, you do not also need a separate police certificate for aged care work.
What is the difference between a personal care worker and a support worker?
A personal care worker is defined under the Aged Care Award 2010 as a direct care employee spending at least 50% of their time on personal care tasks under RN or EN supervision.
Support worker is a broader term covering community access, social support, domestic assistance, and, where qualified, personal care. Many workers move between both roles depending on their qualifications and employer.
Are personal care worker jobs flexible?
Yes. Most providers offer casual, part-time, and full-time positions across morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts.
In home care, workers typically have consistent client rosters and predictable schedules. At Homage, we match shifts to your availability and life commitments
Can I work as a personal care worker with the NDIS?
Yes. Personal care is one of the core support types funded by the NDIS. You will need a Certificate III in Individual Support, an NDIS Worker Screening Check, and a First Aid certificate.
At Homage, our carers support both aged care clients and NDIS participants depending on their qualifications and preferences.
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