At the end of the financial year, it's a good time to take stock of the industries that are going strong and contributing to employment growth!

The Qld Office of Economical and Statistical Research Information B... has reported that Health Care and Social Assistance had the largest percentage increase in employment - up a healthy 5.7%. Health Care and Social Assistance also had the highest percentage of overall employment across the top 10 industries at 11.3%.

Skills Info also reports that this industry has been experiencing consistent steady growth since 1993! So if you are looking to change careers and wanting secure employment - Health Care and Social Assistance is a great place to start!

What are some specific roles you can investigate?

Health Care and Social Assistance is divided into eight sectors and covers all the services that are offered by hospitals, medical services and allied health services, eg: dental, optometry, ambulance etc:

1. Hospitals,
2. Medical Services,
3. Pathology & Diagnostic Imaging Services,
4. Allied Health Services,
5. Other Health Care Services,
6. Residential Care Services,
7. Child Care Services, and
8. Other Social Assistance Services (eg: Community Health Centres).

What can you do to get into this Industry?

We've listed the key occupations within this industry (in order) and the training required if you are interested in getting into one of these positions!!

1. Registered nurses: Bachelor Degree in Health Science (Nursing) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing + High level of accountability and more responsibility than EN or AIN Regulated by the Nurses and Midwives Board.
2. aged and disabled carers: Cert IV in Disability Work, First Aid Certificate, Administration of Medication an advantage,
3. child carers: usually nursing qualifications + Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing (GradCertN),
4. receptionists: generally no formal qualifications, Medical Receptionist Certificate an advantage,
5. nursing support and personal care workers: Cert II or Cert III in Health Support Services; Cert III or Cert IV in Allied Health Assistance,
6. generalist medical practioners: Bachelor of Medicine and/or Bachelor of Surgery followed by Intern & Resident on the job training,
7. welfare support workers: Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma or Cert IV Community Services Work in the following specialist areas: Disabilities Services Officer; Family Support Worker; Parole or Probation Officer; Residential Care Officer; Youth Worker
8. kitchenhands: generally no formal qualifications, Cert I in Hospitality an advantage
9. enrolled & mothercraft nurses: usually nursing qualifications + Mothercraft Certificate,
10. commercial cleaners: generally no formal qualifications.