The aged care industry in Australia is receiving a lot of attention as the minimum wage for nurses continues to be adjusted to increase. From the first full pay period beginning on or after August 1, 2026, practical nurses and registered nurses working in the aged care sector will continue to receive the new salary according to regulations. However, this is not a job for everyone, because besides good income, this industry requires professional knowledge, health, patience and very high communication skills.
Nursing salary for aged care in Australia today
According to the prescribed minimum salary, practical nurses have a basic salary from 40.58 AUD/hour. For registered nurses, the first year salary at level 1 is approximately 41.36 AUD/hour, which can increase to 47.40 AUD/hour for those with more than 4 years of experience at the same level. Positions with higher levels of expertise have salaries from 51.26 AUD/hour and can range from 55.11 AUD/hour upwards. Those who work on a casual basis may also receive an additional 25%, while some evening shifts, night shifts, weekends and holidays have higher pay rates. Some workplaces may also have employment agreements with higher than minimum rates.
How are personal care workers and nurses different?
An important point for people looking into this industry is that personal care workers and nurses are not the same job. Personal care workers are often trained through personal care and assistance programs and then assist seniors with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating and moving. Meanwhile, practical nurses and registered nurses undertake more specialized tasks such as monitoring health conditions, providing wound care, assisting with medication administration, and implementing care plans.
What do you need to learn if you want to work as a nurse in Australia?
If you want to become a practicing nurse, a popular route is to complete an accredited College of Nursing program and register to practice according to regulations. With registered nursing, learners typically complete a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent accredited program before registering to practice.
Some people choose to start with training programs in care and support for the elderly to have the opportunity to gain exposure to a real working environment before continuing their nursing studies. This is not a required path to become a nurse, but can help learners better understand the job and evaluate for themselves whether they are suitable for the industry or not.
Is taking care of the elderly really easy?
The answer is no. Increased salary is an advantage, but elder care work is quite demanding both physically and mentally. Workers may be required to assist people who are no longer able to care for themselves, people with dementia or those who require special care.
Therefore, in addition to professional knowledge, professionals need to have patience, communication skills and a respectful attitude towards the elderly. This is also a regular shift work, so workers need to consider the ability to adapt to irregular working hours.
Do Vietnamese people have advantages when working in this field?
The ability to use Vietnamese can become an advantage in an elderly care environment, especially when meeting Vietnamese elderly people who are not fluent in English. Being able to communicate in their native language makes it easier for the person being cared for to express their needs, pain or concerns.
However, language advantage cannot replace the need for expertise. Workers still need to meet the training, registration and communication standards required in an Australian healthcare environment.
Should I choose nursing care for the elderly in Australia?
With salaries continuing to increase and the need for elder care growing, this is an industry worth considering for those who really love caregiving and want to develop long-term in the medical field.
However, you should not choose a major just because the salary is attractive. Before enrolling, you need to consider your academic ability, English language, health, ability to work in shifts, and especially compatibility with human care work. If identified correctly from the beginning, nursing can open up many different career development paths in the Australian healthcare system.
Note: The salary in the article is the reference level according to regulations at the time of compilation. Actual earnings may vary depending on position, qualifications, experience, type of job, workplace and applicable labor agreement. Training and practice registration conditions may also change from time to time. People wishing to study or work should check current requirements before deciding.
Reference source: Australian Fair Work Commission and SBS Vietnamese.
