The Australian government encourages multicultural Australians to consider a career in the care and support sector, including disability, aged care and veterans’ support.
The national advertising campaign, entitled A Life Changing Life, highlights the long-term, rewarding, and varied job opportunities available across the sector. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people offer unique skills, experience, and cultural understanding, enabling high-quality care, particularly where there is shared language or cultural backgrounds.
The campaign aims to attract 140,000 workers to the sector by 2024 and includes community and stakeholder engagement activities to help employers in the industry find excellent candidates from diverse backgrounds. Said campaign is part of the Morrison Government’s Care and Support Workforce Package announced in the 2020-21 Budget.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator, the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said that now was a perfect time to apply with thousands of jobs available around the country.
“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,” Reynolds added.
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 CALD 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,” said Minister Hawke.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck said older Australians who don’t speak perfect English 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,” said Minister Colbeck.
“The opportunity to have staff members with whom they could converse in their language of choice would be most welcome,” added Colbeck.
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,” said Al-Khafaji.
“Diverse language skills and cultural knowledge can help to secure a meaningful job in a rapidly growing and essential industry,” Al-Khafaji added.
More in-language information about the care and support sector and is available on careandsupportjobs.gov.au/resources/translated-resources.
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