A life changing life in the care and support sector

15 August 2021 Media release

Joint media release with:
Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Minister for Government Services
Senator for Western Australia
The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services
Minister for Sport
Senator for Tasmania
The Hon Andrew Gee MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel

Australians looking for a diverse and rewarding job will be encouraged to consider care and support work in a national campaign launching today.

The care and support sector, which includes aged care, disability and veterans’ support is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the A Life Changing Life campaign shines a light on the rewarding, varied and sustainable job opportunities in the sector.

“For people looking for a life-changing life through a rewarding job or career, the care and support sector is now hiring,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The NDIS alone will need an additional 83,000 workers in the coming years as the scheme matures. Thousands of jobs are available in metro, regional and remote areas.”

A national care and support workforce campaign is an early deliverable under the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025, launched in June.

A Life Changing Life features a range of real life workers across aged care, disability and veterans’ support, and the people they work with. The campaign highlights the unique experiences and examples of opportunities available in the sector.

“Real people are at the heart of this campaign. All the people featured are actual workers changing lives, as well as their own, through working in the care and support sector,” Minister Reynolds said.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the campaign will help build on the Morrison Government’s commitment under our $17.7 billion aged care reform package to ensure safer, quality care for senior Australians.

“By 2050, Australia will need the services of around one million aged care workers. This campaign will help to grow a strong and sustainable workforce that supports senior Australians as they age,” Minister Hunt said.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said the government is focussed on supporting the aged care workforce through increased specialist training, financial support and mentorship.

“We want to attract and retain skilled, compassionate and professional aged care workers, and campaigns like this one will help drive those improvements,” Minister Colbeck said.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Andrew Gee said supporting veterans is a top priority for the Australian Government.

“Our servicemen and women have given our country their best in times of war, conflict and peace, and they deserve nothing less than Australia’s best in return when it comes to their care and treatment when their service concludes,” Minister Gee said.

“Working with our ex-servicemen and women is a high calling. It’s an honour and an extremely rewarding experience, so I encourage anyone looking at working in the care and support sector to consider the importance of working with our veteran community.”

The campaign is part of Australia’s Care and Support Workforce Package, announced in the 2020-21 Budget to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the care and support sector, including aged care, disability, and veterans’ support.

A suite of tools and resources including more information about the care and support sector is available at www.careandsupportjobs.gov.au.

Broadcast-quality television commercials and high-resolution versions of advertisements are available at: www.careandsupportjobs.gov.au/campaign.