What skills do you need to work in aged care?

Revised: June 2025

Are you interested in working in aged care? Developing aged care skills is key to becoming a great worker and succeeding in the industry. 

Through gaining aged care skills that allow you to interact with residents from a diverse range of backgrounds, deliver quality care and maintain a safe environment, you’ll improve your career prospects in both the short- and the long-term future. 

Explore the aged care skills that you need with Sanctuary: 

1. Effective communication
2. Multitasking
3. Maintaining a level of physical fitness
4. Working well under pressure
5. Displaying empathy
6. Upholding aged care standards
7. Patience
8. Organisation
9. Time management
10. Cultural competency

10 aged care skills that are needed to make a great aged care worker

As an aged care worker, it’s important to have the skills that allow you to provide compassionate care, maintain a safe environment and adapt to the evolving needs of patients. These include: 

1. Excellent communication skills

In aged care, you’ll interact with people from multiple backgrounds, with varying communication abilities and levels. Being able to do so effectively and efficiently, tailoring your communication to the person you’re talking to, will be invaluable in your aged care job role. Examples of excellent communication skills include: 

• Being able to use non-verbal communication such as gestures, writing and drawing
• Understanding a resident’s communication needs through picking up cues, knowing when they are ready to talk
• Adapting language used so it is suitable for each resident
• Maintaining eye contact to keep conversations personal and to display interest
• Actively listening to messages being communicated
• Setting aside dedicated time to talk with residents

2. Managing multiple tasks at once

Being able to effectively complete all your aged care duties and responsibilities promptly is a great skill to have. Each resident needs to receive the right level of care, so knowing how to carry out tasks well is a necessity. Some examples of these tasks that will likely be assigned to you as an aged care worker are: 

• Assisting with Daily Living (ADLs), including personal care, grooming, toileting, showering and helping with meal rounds
• Administering medications
• Monitoring vital observations and documenting changes
• Working with enrolled and registered nurses to deliver care as per a resident’s care plan
• Using hoists and mobility support safely
• Getting involved with lifestyle and leisure activities
• De-escalating situations and maintaining a calm environment

Find out more about working in aged care today

3. Keeping physically fit

Aged care can be a physically demanding job. Aged care workers need to be able to manoeuvre residents safely, and you’ll be on your feet for most of the day. Keeping active and having a degree of physical fitness will go a long way in an aged care job role.  

4. Remaining adaptable to situations and working well under pressure

An essential skill of an aged care worker, and anyone working in aged care, is to remain calm in high-pressure situations. Every day will look different, so preparing for anything and solving problems quickly will allow you to thrive in the industry. 

5. Displaying empathy and care

Aged care should be delivered with a holistic approach, tending to residents’ physical, emotional and mental needs. Being able to do this whilst maintaining professional work boundaries is a very desirable aged care skill to have, as it requires practice and attention.  

Be aware of the amount of support a resident will need. Some may need more attention than others, so dedicating adequate time to each person, meeting their expectations and providing a safe, comfortable environment for them to live in is a top priority of an aged care worker. 

6. Acting in line with aged care standards

Aged care is not a transient industry, unlike other areas of healthcare. You are likely to see the same residents every day, so learning about them on a deep level is to be expected. They may disclose personal and private details about themselves, and it is part of your duty of care to keep this information confidential unless you believe a resident is in danger. Acting in line with the aged care standards and adhering to aged care worker responsibilities outlined in the Aged Care Act keeps everyone safe and respected. 

7.  Having a patient manner

Working in aged care means a large portion of your job involves supporting residents with physical limitations, memory loss or cognitive decline. Demonstrating patience and having a can-do attitude helps to build trust, maintain dignity and reduce the likelihood of stress and frustration, fostering a positive environment. 

8. Tending to documentation with a high level of attention to detail

Part of your day-to-day role in aged care will involve handling sensitive documentation and care plans detailing resident schedules and prescribed treatments. Staying organised and ensuring reports and important information are kept up to date, are easy to understand, and are stored in line with policies is imperative to each resident receiving the level of care they require. 

9. Time management

Ensuring tasks are completed on time requires a strategic approach. Sticking to routines will not only help to alleviate stress and anxiety for residents but also prevent oversights. Prioritising tasks also ensures urgent care is delivered when it’s supposed to and major errors are avoided. 

10. Cultural competency

In 2024, 59% of aged care residents in Australia were aged 85 and over. Given this statistic and recognising generational differences that may come with growing up in a different era to yourself, it is essential that you display cultural awareness and sensitivity by understanding the religious as well as ethical values and beliefs of residents. You may need to adapt day-to-day and end-of-life care practices because of this. 

What’s the best way to start developing my aged care skills

Many qualifications and training programs can help you to gain and develop your aged care skills. 

Aged care qualifications that allow you to become an aged care worker, which include theory and practical assessments, are: 

• Certificate III/IV in Individual Support (Ageing)
• Certificate III/IV in Health Services Assistance
• Certificate III/IV in Ageing Support

For a more in-depth line of study, building on your clinical knowledge and skills, you can choose to obtain: 

• Diploma of Nursing for enrolled nurses
• Bachelor of Nursing for registered nurses

Examples of modules that are incorporated into the above teachings, allowing you to develop your aged care skills and become a great aged care worker are: 

• ‘Work with diverse people’
• ‘Work legally and ethically’
• ‘Provide individualised support’
• ‘Support community participation and social inclusion’

If you are already in the aged care industry and want to grow as an aged care worker, there are government-developed courses you can take to develop your skills in specific areas of the sector. These include: 

• The Dementia Training Program
• Palliative care training, such as the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach
• Equip Aged Care Learning modules 

Considering a career in aged care?

The aged care industry is a fantastic place to kickstart a diverse and fulfilling career. Aged care skills are transferable, meaning they will be with you for life once acquired. If you’re considering applying your skills to the aged care industry, find out about transitioning to aged care. 

You can also contact our team today for more information on securing your dream aged care role.