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Minor Group

423 Personal Carers and Assistants

ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
Reference period
2021
Released
23/11/2021

423 Personal Carers and Assistants

Personal Carers and Assistants provide basic care, supervision and other support services to individuals for the enhancement of their health, welfare and comfort.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or
  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or
  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • providing assistance, support, care and companionship to aged and disabled persons and others in need of care and in therapy programs
  • assisting Dental Practitioners
  • assisting in caring for patients in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes
  • caring for and supervising children in residential childcare establishments and correctional institutions
  • caring for people in refuges
Unit Group

4231 Aged and Disabled Carers

Aged and Disabled Carers provide general household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged and disabled persons in their own homes.

​​​​​​​Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Note: some roles within this unit group are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

Tasks Include:

  • accompanying aged and disabled persons during daily activities
  • assisting clients with their mobility
  • preparing food for clients
  • arranging social activities
  • performing housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming and cleaning
  • assisting in personal hygiene and dressing
  • providing companionship, friendship and emotional support
  • may do shopping and run errands
  • may live in with the person

Occupation:

  • 423111 Aged or Disabled Carer

423111 Aged or Disabled Carer

Alternative Titles:

  • Aged or Disabled Care Worker
  • Personal Carer
  • Personal Care Worker

Provides general household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged or disabled people in their own homes.

Skill Level: 4 Note: some roles within this occupation are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

Unit Group

4232 Dental Assistants

Dental Assistants prepare patients for dental examination and assist Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists in providing care and treatment.

​​​​​​​Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • receiving and preparing patients
  • arranging and handing instruments, medication, and other dental requisites to Dental Practitioners
  • preparing dental materials and processing X-rays
  • using suction devices and water sprays
  • performing routine maintenance on equipment
  • sterilising and preventing cross infection of equipment
  • may advise patients on dental health education and post-operative care and procedures
  • may act as receptionist for Dental Practitioners
  • may perform billing and other clerical tasks

Occupation:

  • 423211 Dental Assistant

423211 Dental Assistant

Alternative Titles:

  • Dental Chairside Assistant
  • Dental Nurse

Prepares patients for dental examination and assists Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists in providing care and treatment.

Skill Level: 4

Unit Group

4233 Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers

Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers provide assistance, support and direct care to patients in a variety of health, welfare and community settings.

​​​​​​​Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Note: some roles within this unit group are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

  • 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

Occupations:

  • 423311 Hospital Orderly
  • 423312 Nursing Support Worker
  • 423313 Personal Care Assistant
  • 423314 Therapy Aide

423311 Hospital Orderly

Alternative Titles:

  • Patient Services Assistant
  • Wardsperson

Assists with the provision of care to patients in a hospital by ensuring wards are neat and tidy, lifting and turning patients and transporting them in wheelchairs or on movable beds, and providing direct care and support.

Skill Level: 4

423312 Nursing Support Worker

Alternative Titles:

  • Assistant in Nursing
  • Nurses' Aide (NZ)

Provides limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff.

Skill Level: 4 Note: some roles within this occupation are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

Specialisation:

  • Paramedical Aide

423313 Personal Care Assistant

Provides routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.

Skill Level: 4 Note: some roles within this occupation are at ANZSCO Skill Level 3.

Specialisation:

  • Health Care Assistant

423314 Therapy Aide

Alternative Title:

  • Therapist's Assistant

Assists therapists in providing therapy programs and in the direct care of their patients in a variety of health, welfare and community settings. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Diversional Therapist's Assistant
  • Occupational Therapist's Assistant
  • Physiotherapist's Assistant
Unit Group

4234 Special Care Workers

Special Care Workers provide care and supervision for children and young people in residential and institutional facilities, and provide care and support to people in refuges.

​​​​​​​Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job-training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

The occupation Hostel Parent in this unit group has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job-training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

  • planning and implementing programs of supervision and care for children and young people in residential care
  • supervising and arranging activities to enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children and young people in residential care
  • waking children and young people and ensuring they are washed, dressed, fed and ready for educational and recreational activities
  • supervising children and young people during domestic activities such as eating meals and showering
  • maintaining discipline, enforcing regulations and behaviour standards, compiling disciplinary reports and assisting in implementing remedial measures
  • organising refuge accommodation
  • providing emotional support to residents of refuges
  • referring residents of refuges for health and welfare assistance
  • ensuring security of refuge

Occupations:

  • 423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
  • 423412 Hostel Parent
  • 423413 Refuge Worker

423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant

Provides care and supervision for children and young people living in residential or institutional facilities such as group homes and correctional institutions. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 3

423412 Hostel Parent

Alternative Title:

  • House Parent

Provides care and supervision for children and young people living in residential facilities such as boarding school residential colleges and hostels. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 4

423413 Refuge Worker

Provides services and support to people seeking assistance in a refuge.

Skill Level: 3