Provides general assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged or disabled people in private homes or in community situations including rest homes.

Accompanies aged and disabled persons during daily activities; assists clients with their mobility; prepares food for clients; arranges social activities; performs housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming and cleaning; assists in personal hygiene and dressing; provides companionship, friendship and emotional support; may do shopping and run errands; may live in with the person.

• Work typically occurs inside in private homes or in community situations including rest homes.
• Work spaces are generally adequately heated and ventilated also clean and well-maintained, but this may vary in relation to those working in private homes.
• Patients are likely to be the elderly, disabled or ill and will require varying levels of personal care and support in carrying out general home management and daily living tasks.
• Employees may work for a number of clients concurrently, in a number of different locations and need to travel between these on a regular basis.

• The job generally entails a light to medium physical demand level although very heavy lifting, pulling or carrying is possible in relation to the moving of patients.
• There is an occasion requirement for stretching and reaching across, especially for bed making and some cleaning tasks. Some climbing of steps or stairs may be necessary, depending on location.
• Twisting of the body or neck is likely to be necessary for some tasks such as vacuuming and lifting or moving of patients.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is unlikely, other than for household cleaners and detergents and gloves are likely to be accessible if needed.
• Repetitive movements will be occasionally required for the performance of some domestic tasks.
• Driving is likely to be required if duties include transportation to appointments, the fetching of groceries or if working at more than one location.
• Household cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, mops, cooking utensils and laundry equipment is used frequently.
• Bending squatting or crouching movements are likely to occur occasionally when carrying out many daily household tasks.
• Mental skills necessary include cleaning, organisational, cooking and planning skills.

• Previous experience in this role or at least three years of secondary education (useful subjects include English, maths and biology; ANZSCO Skill Level 4). Some employers prefer candidates who have, or are working towards, a qualification such as the National Certificate in Health, Disability, and Aged Support (Health Assistants). Most employers provide in-house training for those starting in the job.
• Any previous criminal convictions need to be declared so that they can be reviewed by prospective employers. A First Aid Certificate and/or a Driver's Licence may also be required.
• Note: some roles within this occupation are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

• There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.
• Shift work is common.