Personal Care Assistant salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $84,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 110,400
- Annual employment growth
- +3,600/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +13.8%
- Skills shortage rating
- No national shortage
- Main industry
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Works full-time
- 48%
- Avg full-time hours
- 42 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 52%
- Female share
- 74%
- Median age
- 40 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a personal care assistant do?
Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers provide assistance, support and direct care to patients in a variety of health, welfare and community settings.
- Assisting patients with their personal care needs such as showering, dressing and eating
- Assisting patients with their mobility and communication needs
- Participating in planning the care of individuals
- Following therapy plans such as interventions to assist those with dementia and behavioural problems
- Observing and reporting changes in patients' condition, and reporting complaints about care
- Assisting with rehabilitation exercises, basic treatment and delivering medications
- Providing direct support and assistance to therapists
How to become a personal care assistant
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Courses to get started
Where personal care assistants are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Personal Care Assistant jobs
Related occupations
Similar occupations
Jobs that pay similar to a personal care assistant
Frequently asked questions
How much does a personal care assistant earn in Australia?
The median personal care assistant earns $83,824 per year ($1,612 per week, or about $40/hour), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a personal care assistant?
Most personal care assistants hold a Certificate III or IV (36% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is personal care assistant a job in demand in Australia?
Around 110,400 personal care assistants are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about +3,600 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.