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How to Become an Aged Care Service Manager: Australian Careers in Aged Care

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What is a Aged Care Service Manager?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Aged Care Service Manager?

An Aged Care Service Manager leads the day-to-day running of aged care facilities and services. They direct care teams, manage budgets, and make sure every resident gets safe, high-quality support. This role blends care oversight with strong leadership to improve the lives of older Australians.

Day to day, service managers review care plans and set policies for nursing and allied health staff. They ensure the facility meets health and safety rules under the Aged Care Act 2024. Budget planning, report writing, and resource management are core duties.

Service managers liaise with residents’ families, health providers, and government bodies. They speak for the organisation in forums and negotiations and advise on ways to improve care. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, service managers are classed as key personnel. This means they carry direct responsibility for quality outcomes and governance.

Demand is growing as Australia’s population ages. Jobs and Skills Australia rates future demand for health and welfare service managers as very strong. This career is stable, in demand, and deeply rewarding for those who care about older Australians.

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Career snapshots For Aged Care Service Managers

Aged Care Service Managers work in residential aged care, home care, and community aged care services across Australia. Around 22,800 people work in this occupation, with 85% in full-time roles (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Median weekly earnings are $2,016, or about $105,000 a year.

The workforce is 73% female and has a median age of 46 (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Full-time workers average 43 hours per week in their main job. Future demand is rated as very strong, driven by Australia’s growing and ageing population.

The aged care sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of the Australian economy. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, service managers carry greater responsibility and enjoy greater recognition. Explore aged care management courses on CourseFinder to see what is available.

What will I do?

An Aged Care Service Manager oversees the full running of aged care services. They develop policies, manage budgets, and lead teams to deliver safe, high-quality care. Their work covers care leadership, admin duties, and meeting regulatory requirements.

  • Overall direction: provides overall direction and management for the service, facility, or centre
  • Policy development: develops, implements, and reviews policies and standards for clinical and administrative staff
  • Program coordination: coordinates and runs health, welfare, and clinical service programs
  • Resource review: monitors and reviews resources for health, welfare, recreation, and training services
  • Administration: manages budget planning, report preparation, and spending on supplies, equipment, and services
  • Stakeholder liaison: liaises with health providers, boards, and funding bodies to improve service coordination
  • Government advisory: advises government bodies on ways to improve health and welfare services
  • Representation: represents the organisation in negotiations, hearings, and sector forums
  • Staff management: controls the selection, training, and supervision of staff

What skills do I need?

Aged Care Service Managers need strong leadership, clear communication, and solid problem-solving skills. Leading diverse teams and keeping care standards high takes both people skills and decisiveness. Empathy and patience matter just as much as management ability in this role.

Financial skill is also key. Managers handle budgets, track spending, and write reports for boards and funding bodies. A working knowledge of health rules and the Aged Care Quality Standards helps with compliance and ongoing improvement.

Skills/attributes

  • Leadership and team management
  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Knowledge of aged care regulations and quality standards
  • Budget planning and financial management
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Staff training and supervision
  • Empathy and person-centred care
  • Organisational and time management
  • Stakeholder and family engagement
  • Understanding of clinical care practices
  • Service quality review and improvement
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Commitment to continuous professional development
  • Adaptability in a changing regulatory environment

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.