Thursday was World Youth Skills Day. What does this have to do with in-home care, you ask? Well, pursuing a career in care, or working as a caregiver while pursuing other goals like university or TAFE study, or raising a family, could be the best decision you ever make.

With Australia's ageing population, we are going to need a lot more carers. As the proportion of the population aged 70+ increases, the pressure on families to provide long term care for ageing parents will increase dramatically, opening employment opportunities for caregivers Australia-wide.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that from 1999 to 2019, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 12.3% to 15.9%. This group is projected to increase more rapidly over the next decade, as further cohorts of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) turn 65.

More recent data from IBISWorld forecasts that the Australian population aged 70 and older will increase 2.6% during 2020-21, to reach 3,006,716 people. This growth is significantly higher than the overall population growth, a trend that is indicative of Australia’s ageing population. IBISWorld expects the proportion of baby boomers relative to the total population to increase from 5.3% in 1970-71 to 11.7% in 2020-21.

IBISWorld reports that the following six industries will be impacted the most by our ageing population:

1. Aged Care Residential Services
2. Other Health Services
3. Community Services
4. Biotechnology
5. Psychiatric Hospitals
6. Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries

The Australian Government's 2017 home care reforms made consumer-directed care and income testing a priority, allowing individuals to choose who provides their care when they need it. The reforms, along with our ageing population, have given consumers more opportunities to receive better care at home.

Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the government's May budget revealed a $17.7 billion spend for the industry, with an extra 80,000 home care packages provided over the next two years. More than 275,000 home care packages are said to be available to senior Australians by 2023. As more people receive government Home Care Packages assistance, the greater demand for in-home care professionals becomes.

So, who is going to provide this care?

This is where young Australians come in.

The May budget has allotted $650 million to help grow and upskill the aged care workforce, with an additional 33,800 training places to be created over two years for personal care workers.

If you feel that you have the following qualities, you should consider becoming a caregiver to help our most vulnerable Australians.

Qualities that make the best caregivers:

• Outstanding character
• Connects well with people
• Community influencer
• Pursues professional development
• Strong team spirit

To learn more about caregiving with Right at Home, visit our For Caregivers page or give us a call on 1300 363 802. If you are looking for work right now, visit our Employment Opportunities page. 

Right at Home Australia is a leading provider of quality in-home care. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those we serve ensuring the Right Care, Right at Home™.  We support people living with complex and post-operative care needs, dementia and cognitive decline, older adults, and adults living with a disability including NDIS participants. Our tailored services help clients to remain safe and independent in their homes. We have 53 territories across Australia and growing. If you are interested in a franchise opportunity with Right at Home, call us on 1300 363 802 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..