Residential Care Officers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.
Tasks
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Supports families and provides education and care for children and disabled persons in adult service units, group housing and government institutions.
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Assesses clients' needs and plans, develops and implements educational, training and support programmes.
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Interviews clients and assesses the nature and extent of difficulties.
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Monitors and reports on the progress of clients.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Administrative
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Welfare Support Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 81% of people employed as Residential Care Officers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Residential Care Officers work in the Health care and social assistance industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Residential Care Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 16.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 18.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 48.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 2.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 12.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 60% of Residential Care Officers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Residential Care Officers is 48 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 68% of the workforce. This is 20 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Residential Care Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.0 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 15.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 20.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 16.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 48 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III, IV or diploma in residential care, individual support, aged care or another related field is usually needed to work as a Residential Care Officer. Some workers have a university qualification.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Community Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Residential Care Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 16.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 30.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 34.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 7.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 5.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Welfare Support Workers who are caring, compassionate and empathetic, and can communicate well with others.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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25%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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23%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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20%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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59%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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48%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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39%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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27%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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26%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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25%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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25%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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24%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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24%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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22%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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21%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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18%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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15%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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14%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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37%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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36%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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36%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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34%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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32%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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32%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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75%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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59%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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57%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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51%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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48%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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47%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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41%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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41%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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38%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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37%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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37%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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35%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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34%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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33%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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25%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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23%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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81%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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48%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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43%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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89%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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81%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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80%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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77%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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76%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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75%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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74%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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73%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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72%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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70%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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70%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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68%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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65%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 39-9021.00 - Personal Care Aides.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.