Life changing opportunities for multicultural Australians in the care and support sector

Multicultural Australians are being encouraged to consider a career in care and support, including disability, aged care and veterans’ support.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people offer unique skills, experience and cultural understanding, enabling high quality care, particularly where there is shared language or cultural backgrounds. The national advertising campaign, entitled A Life Changing Life, highlights the rewarding, varied and long term job opportunities available across the sector. 

As part of the Morrison Government’s Care and Support Workforce Package announced in the 2020-21 Budget, the campaign aims to attract 140,000 workers to the sector by 2024 and includes activities such as community and stakeholder engagement, to help employers in the sector to find excellent candidates from diverse backgrounds. 

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said that with thousands of jobs available around the country, now was a perfect time to apply.

“If you are a people person looking for a meaningful and fulfilling job, or career, this is the perfect opportunity – especially in regional and remote locations where I have seen firsthand, the need for more care and support workers,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Real people are at the heart of this campaign. Everyone featured is an actual worker making a difference to people’s lives, as well as their own, through working in the care and support sector.”

The sector also offered flexible work options and on-the-job training.

“Mentoring, peer support and career options to suit different lifestyles are just some of the benefits of working in the sector,” Minister Reynolds said.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Alex Hawke said culturally and linguistically diverse Australians are a great asset to the care sector.

“We know that people with language skills and from diverse cultural backgrounds are valued in the care sector, bringing an extra layer of comfort and care for those with similar experiences and backgrounds,” Minister Hawke said.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck said older Australians whose English was not perfected, would welcome the opportunity of speaking in their first language.

“We know that older members of the community can often feel isolated in aged care if they cannot converse readily with staff and other residents,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The opportunity to have staff members with whom they could converse in their language of choice would be most welcome.”

Mohammad Al-Khafaji, CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, said the care and support sector offered great opportunities for multicultural Australians who want to pursue meaningful careers.  

“Multicultural experiences are a significant asset in care and support work. Many fulfilling relationships between workers and clients are built on their similar backgrounds and values,” Mr Al-Khafaji said.

“Diverse language skills and cultural knowledge can help to secure a meaningful job in a rapidly growing and essential industry.” 

For more in-language information about the care and support sector, and to learn about meaningful work that makes a difference, visit careandsupportjobs.gov.au/resources/translated-resources.