Do you wonder how you can create positive change in the world? Do you enjoy working with people? Do you have a genuine interest in improving other people's lives? Do you have a good sense of humour? Can you genuinely relate to people? Are you non-judgmental and non-discriminatory about people with disabilities? Are you kind, patient and compassionate?

Some people used to think that only women have the natural qualities of kindness, patience and compassion.

We now know that both men and women are capable of being caring and loving human beings. Both men and women share these qualities with the people in our communities who need help in their daily lives.

Professional care workers assist other health professionals to achieve and maintain a high quality of life for people who need help. Care workers visit aged people, sick people and disabled people in their homes to help them with their daily lives. Care workers also work on-site in residential care facilities, community centres, hospices, hostels and hospitals.

A big part of care work is giving friendship and companionship to people who are isolated and lonely. As a professional care worker, you will have the chance to make a real difference by providing emotional support to people who need a friend.

You can chose to specialise in different areas of care work, depending on far you want to take your studies and work experience. Special care workers assist people with accommodation, emergency relief and crisis counselling. Disabilities services instructors help people living with physical and intellectual disabilities to find employment, accommodation, education, specialist care and health services. Nannies, family care workers and mother's help care workers specialise in working with babies, children and families.

You can further your education and become a social worker, occupational therapist, psychologist or welfare worker. There will always be a need for care workers in our community - you can choose where you decide to use your kindness, patience and compassion.

A qualified care worker can earn a fulltime wage of around $25 000 per year. Your earning potential increases with your training and experience. Check out wages and conditions information on the Health Services Union of Australia website.

You can research NSW awards on the NSW Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website
or you can contact the NSW DIR Award Enquiry Service or your local NSW DIR office.

WageNet gives you information about Federal awards. You can ask for help by filling in an online enquiry form or you can contact the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) WageLine.

As a trainee, your wages and conditions are covered by awards. Awards are industry agreements that determine how much you get paid, what kind of training you receive, what kind of work you do, what your responsibilities are, your breaks, holiday and sick leave, and all other workplace issues.

Information about your traineeship wages and conditions is available on the Department of Education and Training - Apprenticeships and Traineeships website.

If you want to begin a career in care work while you are doing your HSC, think about enrolling in a part time school-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) traineeship:
Certificate III in Care Support Services (Aged Care Work) - Personal Care Assistant
Certificate III in Community Services (Children's Services).

Aboriginal student and Torres Strait Islander students can choose to do a part time school-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) traineeship that gives you specialist training to work within your own community:
Certificate III in Community Care Services
Certificate III in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health.

TAFE NSW offers a huge range of courses in community services and health:
Child and Family Services
Community Development and Welfare
Community Health
Health and Aged Services
Health and Life Sciences.

If you're not at school and you want to combine workplace training and study, consider a New Apprenticeship in community services and health.

If you want to expand your training and study at university, explore your options in these areas:
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Occupational Therapist.

Also make sure you have a look at the jobz4theboyz nursing profile to get the low down on nursing as another option in the health, community and caring professions.

NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body
PO Box 562
Gladesville NSW 1675
T (02) 9816 2869
E itab@csh-itab.com.au
www.csh-itab.com.au

Health Services Union of Australia
106-108 Victoria St
Carlton South VIC 3053
T (03) 9347 0922
E hsua@hsua.asn.au
www.hsua.asn.au