Campaign aims to attract Indigenous workers to care sector

The government has launched a campaign to attract Indigenous Australians to the care and support sector, including aged and disability care.

The national A Life Changing Life campaign is part of the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025.

NDIS minister Linda Reynolds said the campaign aims to highlight the rewarding, varied and sustainable job opportunities that exist within the sector.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people looking for a life-changing life through a rewarding job or career, the care and support sector is now hiring,” she said.

“Jobs are available in cities, towns and communities right across Australia,” she said.

Ms Reynolds said as the NDIS reached maturity and the population continued to age, the care and support workforce will grow by around 140,000 workers.

Many of the jobs will be in regional and remote areas.

Culturally appropriate services

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said as well as offering employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the campaign will help  ensure culturally appropriate services.

“Caring for mob is a part of our culture – it’s who we are. It makes sense we support Indigenous Australians to consider a future in the sector,” he said.

“What many people might not know is that this is a sector full of job opportunities, and meaningful careers.

“In many cases, these are jobs you can do without leaving your community and can learn on the job, to start a life-changing career.”

The campaign was announced in the 2020-21 Budget as part of the Care and Support Workforce Package.

More information and access to campaign resources is available here.

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