Pivoting Careers - Admin/IT to Aged & Disability Care

Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 10:45

Hello lovely OzBargain peoples,

Has anyone made a drastic pivot in their career? I'm seeing too many signs that my previously earned degree is quickly becoming useless with the advent of AI.
Looking to pivot into something that is a bit more AI proof like Aged & Disability Care.
Probably going to look at doing the free TAFE course for it.
Is it worth doing the course full time or should I look for a traineeship where I can study the course and work at the same time within the industry?
Would love it if anyone who has made this move or is currently in Aged & Disability care can share some stories.

Have a lovely day :)

Cheers!

Education & Work

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  • MS Paint on 16/02/2026 - 10:59
    +37

    So your plan it to go from wiping hard drives to wiping arses?

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:03
      +27

      Sure, if you want to put it that way. Just don't want to be left behind tbh. Have been unemployed for a little while now and have been applying within my industry without much luck. Pretty tough market out there.

      • tenpercent on 16/02/2026 - 11:35
        +11

        don't want to be left behind

        If you're wiping arses, that's literally behind.

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:58
          +33

          I feel like I'm definitely going to be the butt of a lot of jokes… lol

      • RTX9090Ti on 18/02/2026 - 23:37
        +2

        NDIS will be $100bn business in a decade, you'll set for life.

        And AI can't wipe arse.

        • Muppet Detector on 20/02/2026 - 00:01
          -2

          NDIS will be $100bn business in a decade, you'll set for life.

          No it won't.

          Reforms are happening, many poor me entitled grifters crying poor me.

          One of the most significant roll backs is assessing which disabilities they will provide funding for, currently eliminating one where numerous patients, support workers and their support management providers have abuse the system. Access to spite care has been especially scrutinised and limited, most of those on self managed funds will now be unable to do this and instead be allocated the likes of an accountant through which every item claimed must be approved, required by doctor if extraneous and limits monitored some last release ie thirty doses in that last bottle, new bottle not due until xxx

          • iridiumstem on 20/02/2026 - 07:36

            @Muppet Detector: As someone who was let go of because of the changes that were happening in the NDIS space yeah.

            It's not like I was a part of a dodgy provider, the workplace that I was at was known to be one of the best providers and they were in the industry since the introduction of NDIS.

            Plus, NDIA is pain to deal with if they don't process the invoice for whatever reasons (even if you follow their rules, they can go, we think there is something going on, and that can cause serious cash flow issues). I know a contractor who was out of their pocket, as they provided services in line with NDIS guideline, but the company had invoices not processed for few weeks, and that eventually caused the company to collapse.

    • AustriaBargain on 19/02/2026 - 00:06
      +1

      Surely with all the cheap AI and robotics and stuff, there will be a machine that washes shitty asses for you in just a few years? Like a mini laser guided auto carwash for your ass.

      • Muppet Detector on 20/02/2026 - 00:01
        +1

        Surely with all the cheap AI and robotics and stuff, there will be a machine that washes shitty asses for you in just a few years? Like a mini laser guided auto carw

        Bidet

        • scott-moo on 11/03/2026 - 09:19

          A bidet would be too easy. It needs an Nvidia graphics card in it.

  • soan papdi on 16/02/2026 - 11:48
    +5

    My 2c. I feel like quitting IT too sometimes but AI is going to get us in some way in all industries. Don't move just to avoid AI. IT is a lot easier that most other industries in several ways. Easier on your body, more money on average, better working hours, work/life flexibility is more practical, very little licensing or certification requirements to be a professional, cheap to upskill with no company sponsorship needed. The list goes on.

    If you're definitely doing it, why not talk to one or more aged care homes and ask what they want.

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:52
      +1

      My experience is more administration heavy within the IT industry, so not purely IT per-se but well versed in all things IT (consumer, business solutions). Not talking IT administrator, but rather regular administration clerical work.

      Maybe worth asking around I suppose, not sure how companies feel about randoms walking in off the street and asking, but I guess it wouldn't hurt.

    • morebunnings on 18/02/2026 - 11:33

      Very little licensing or certification requirements to be a professional, cheap to upskill with no company sponsorship needed.

      Having worked in IT for 20 years, I'd argue this also works against you in a competitive job market. Anyone can self train and get into it, very easy to find workers overseas if outsourcing.

      Its also a real pain on the other side when hiring IT staff, as we don't know if someone is actually good at their job, or just got a qualification without learning much.

      If I had to do it again, I'd probably get into finance, medical or accounting, specifically because the regulation/training moat means your job is a bit more secure, and there is a slower rate of constant self training and upskilling to keep up to date.

    • jv on 16/02/2026 - 12:23
      -6

      My 2c.

      I rounded down…

      • soan papdi on 16/02/2026 - 12:31
        +5

        Happy to know my comments are just as valuable as yours.

        • borrisz0r on 18/02/2026 - 07:56
          +1

          I'd argue that it's more valuable, even when rounded down

      • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:33

        Down down, prices are down

        • moar bargains on 16/02/2026 - 13:33

          Jack is back! And working Colesworths as well as ebay apparently

        • jv on 16/02/2026 - 12:34
          -2

          They'll just put up prices to pay for the fines.

          • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:35

            @jv: And forks will be found in kitchens!

        • tenpercent on 16/02/2026 - 13:21
          -2

          It looks like a weak case. The strepsils example they show clearly shows there was a discount vs the long term price. The percentage discount may have been fabricated, but there was still a discount.

  • holdenmg on 16/02/2026 - 11:05
    +3

    Hi,

    I'd just mention that Aged & Disability Care isn't exactly an AI free zone.

    AI is rapidly changing care to a proactive model, benefits are improvements in safety, with less administrative burdens on staff. (But also sometimes less staff).

    So, don't avoid AI, look at the actual prospects and how any course you do will equip and prepare you.

    Have a read of:
    https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/blog/ai-in-elderly-car…

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:07
      +6

      Oh yes I'm aware that most jobs will be AI-assisted very soon. But I don't plan to be in Admin/IT within Aged & Disability Care. I want to pivot to be a personal carer. I absolutely am going to embrace AI - it's inevitable, I just don't want to be fully replaceable yet (as is the current projection for my industry). Cheers for the link, good read.

      • holdenmg on 16/02/2026 - 11:09
        +3

        No worries.

        The other day I ordered a Coffee, paid and went and sat down.

        A robot delivered it to my table.

        Go figure…

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:12
          +3

          A robot delivered it to my table.

          Both amazing and horrifying. Where was this?

        • LFO on 17/02/2026 - 16:57

          A robot? Or o mobile tray?

          Would a Sushi Train classify as a robot? It does bring dishes …

      • Muppet Detector on 20/02/2026 - 00:09

        I want to pivot to be a personal carer.

        I'm confused

        There are jobs at the office as well. I'm not only considering direct care work,

        I want to have a job within the care industry but not necessarily right on the front line.

  • 7ekn00 on 16/02/2026 - 21:29
    +3

    Just morph to something AI can't touch … in IT that is building the physical network (physically putting wires in walls, wires in pits, wireless receivers on roofs, etc etc) …

    AI will barely touch the trades ;) No AI is going to fix a toilet, no AI is going to insert an extra electrical circuit, no AI is going to physically build you a cabinet …

    • tenpercent on 16/02/2026 - 22:16
      +1

      What about AI plus Optimus Prime?

      • 7ekn00 on 17/02/2026 - 01:24

        Hehe, yet to see Ikea sell one that can assemble their flat packs :P

        • tenpercent on 17/02/2026 - 15:40

          Ikea's flatpacks are needlessly convoluted. Probably so they can upsell the assembly service.

          • Muppet Detector on 18/02/2026 - 18:03

            @tenpercent:

            Ikea's flatpacks are needlessly convoluted. Probably so they can upsell the assembly service.

            And yet they continue to appeal to the masses and the only thing you need in your toolkit is an Allen key (which I think they even provide).

    • R4 on 17/02/2026 - 18:35

      Exactly. That dude who runs Nvidia recently said that the best jobs in the upcoming AI 'boom' are to go to the people building the data centres - electricians, cblers, welders, steel fixers, concreters etc. You're not going to see an AI electrician anytime soon

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 17/02/2026 - 22:30
    +2

    If someone gave you $10M today - would you still want to pursue a career in [insert whatever job you are in, want to be in]? If the answer is yes, then go for it. If its a no, then don't do it - rethink, prioritise your goals and try to pursue something meaningful, or something that represents you. If you find a job, and your real friends say to you - this job has your name all over it, or this job was designed for you - then that's the job you should be in.

    • Meeb on 18/02/2026 - 18:38

      If someone gave me $10M today I wouldn't be working lol.

  • Gunnar on 16/02/2026 - 11:12
    +1

    Why do you want to work in this sector specifically?

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:14
      +17

      Pragmatically: it's a bit more AI-proof than most industries over the next decade or so. We have an ageing population. It's a growing industry with shortages of staff.

      Personally: I am an empathetic, caring person and can see myself genuinely involved in this sector.

      • Gunnar on 16/02/2026 - 11:20
        +6

        The skills you need are two fold in the sector. Particularly when working with complex individuals. Yes, empathy and an ability to engage people is one thing but you also have to be very thick skinned. Especially when you work with people (and their stakeholders) with complex presentations.

        Do you know what areas of disability and aged care would you like to get into?

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 11:22
          +6

          Many moons ago I worked in debt collection (X_X) so have developed a pretty thick skin from that - maybe some of that resilience will translate?

          I don't really know what areas I would like to get into per se, hence looking for some guidance and hoping that a TAFE course would be good start for that.

          • Gunnar on 16/02/2026 - 11:54
            +1

            @Meeb: Hopefully it will!

            There’s the Cert IV in disability. There’s also this scheme on federally funded aged care nursing for training
            https://www.health.gov.au/i-want-to-work-in-aged-care?langua…

            One of the challenges is that the sector has no minimum qualifications for disability or aged care. It technically makes you more employable having a qualification but also providers often just go for the cheapest one

            One of the things to keep and eye out on is to see a provider who aligns with your values and skills - there are a lot who just churn through workers.

            A platform provider in the disability sector may be able to use your current IT skills in support work. For example if a person wants a support worker who is IT savy or can help them with IT tasks/requirements then you can support them but also provide some of your IT skills to them (it will be really basic IT skills that you’d use such as supporting them with learning or just sharing an interest in IT)

            • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:33

              @Gunnar: Thank you! Food for thought.

              • jv on 16/02/2026 - 12:47
                -3

                @Meeb:

                Food for thought

                Is that a fair swap?

                • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:49

                  @jv: Depends on the food and the thought I guess.

            • jv on 16/02/2026 - 12:21
              -8

              @Gunnar:

              I don't really know what areas I would like to get into per se,

              Jacinta is hiring stripers for the Big Bill Build…

              • holdenmg on 16/02/2026 - 12:29
                +2

                @jv: If only the Premiers name was Candy. lol

      • boomramada on 16/02/2026 - 12:54

        There is extremely high chance of you been replaced by overseas worker than AI :P

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:55

          That's what happened with one of my previous jobs in Marketing :(

      • meong on 19/02/2026 - 12:34

        If I'm being honest… Just be prepared to treat what you're empathetic for as a job. It can be soul crushing. I don't have first hand experience on this but heard stories from other people.

        I mean, I liked computer as a hobby then i worked in IT and most of the times when i get home i want to stay away from my gaming PCs even. So, in corporate IT, I learnt that sometimes our creativity is limited because management says so.

        But with 'caring for someone' you will find you will be in a situation that you are not able to care for someone because the situation doesn't allow it and as sad it may be, you just have to treat it as 'work'. I are parents who are doctors and i learnt growing up sometimes they tell me stories of people they wished they could've saved but couldn't due to limits in what they're allowed to do. Yes there were events where they would even try to reach out to charity organisations to fund the medical treatments as 'research' with good success, but sometimes the systems can hurt those who are in the industry too.

        Some other examples, and can be a bad analogy, a friend who is a very creative photographer ended up doing wedding photography and he finds it unfulfilling as weddings are basically controlled environment so it put a limit on the creativity so now he does his photography just as 'work'.

    • eddyah on 18/02/2026 - 16:47
      +1

      milking that NDIS money

      • Muppet Detector on 16/02/2026 - 14:42
        +4

        Pretty disgusting comment.

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 16:22
          +1

          I agree with you sentiment - but the whole back and forth between you and jv was cinema. lol

      • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:58
        +2

        To each their own, but definitely not that for me.

      • tenpercent on 16/02/2026 - 13:17
        +1

        Ya nasty

  • djones145 on 16/02/2026 - 13:31
    +1

    u mean NDIS provider cause you have seen the numerous news.com.au articles about millionares and also 1000s of providers in one suburb all making a monster

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 13:33
      +3

      That I am not interested in. I am actually hoping they launch a Royal Commission into this very obvious rort. It's disgraceful and it is the government's fault for not adding more guardrails. I am livid that our tax money is going to those taking advantage of the government's mishandling of NDIS.

      • Gunnar on 16/02/2026 - 15:39
        +1

        Lol you know this happened and on the back of it there are a lot of reforms that are happening. The challenge is that reforms take AGES to do properly:
        https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 16:04

          Yes I do know. I want another one because the pervious one did stuff all from the looks of it.

      • jv on 16/02/2026 - 13:45

        Your tax dollars at work…

  • freefall101 on 16/02/2026 - 16:32
    +1

    I've been thinking about the same thing, but I'm from a family full of nurses who have always told me not to do it.

    Probably depends on how much time you have, what you want to do and your financial situation. Having a diploma in nursing would be great to have under the belt if you want to get into actual care, but there are roles as an in-home carer where they'll support your cert IV, however you'll just be doing household chores and won't be dealing with patients with disabilities/dementia. I looked through it and figure I'll go part time doing the education side first. It'd be hard to balance, but pay is a lot better entering in with better qualifications so it'd be worth it financially (end of the day I have bills to pay).

    • sam-1966 on 16/02/2026 - 17:52
      +1

      diploma in nursing

      I think this qualifies you to be an Enrolled Nurse as opposed to a Registered Nurse and also and Assistant in Nursing which would be a Cert II or IV, I believe.

      Before doing any courses, you need to have an idea of the pathway you want to go down.

      • Muppet Detector on 18/02/2026 - 17:59
        +1

        You have to be a Registered nurse to be able to distribute the really cool drugs. Some of them (even ADHD meds), an EN must seek supervision.

        I'm sure there are more differences, but that was one that glaringly stood out to me. Plenty of nurses on duty, just none authorised to hand out the type of medication that was required.

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 16:34

      There are jobs at the office as well. I'm not only considering direct care work, but being within a growing industry that's not likely to be completely replaced by AI is the angle I am looking at. One possibility I am considering strongly is case-management.

  • ihbh on 16/02/2026 - 20:30
    +1

    You seem to have the right attitude to age care, so that's a great start.

    My suggestion is to do the studies and wait to be retrenched or for a good jump-off point.

  • Meeb on 17/02/2026 - 07:27
    +1

    Significant reductions in staff numbers and no replacement. Instead of hiring new people, existing staff are told to rely on AI to close workload gaps. Recruiters are seeing significant drops in staff demand. Commercial cost of AI coming down to a few dollars per hour and accuracy and performance at workflows exceeding expectations. AI being brought in to streamline processes (and as a result people being laid off). Lots of highly skilled connections (people with loads of experience) unable to secure new jobs. The job market being far far tougher than it was pre- and during COVID.

  • gromit on 18/02/2026 - 03:24
    +1

    To be honest while IT is evolving and changing I don't see AI replacing us anytime soon. It has always been a case of needing to learn and evolve with changing tech, AI is no different.

    Aged Care on the other hand I see a lot of that being replaced with robots and AI in the future. still a few years off though. though I guess it still has a good decade or two left in it.

    • ReaperX22 on 18/02/2026 - 13:07

      I think there's lots of different functions in IT/OT though. A lot of lesser tasks can absolutely be AI replaced.. (Frankly; some people make work harder rather than easier/better… Probably don't even need the job in the first place to exist, let alone AI to replace)..

      The issue is more the big businesses just seeing big numbers from initial layoffs in IT due to AI; so they pad their bottom line/bonuses for reducing OpEx for a couple of years; then bigwigs just move on/leave anyway so they don't have to deal with the actual fallout of the layoffs once they truly impact everything in a major and damaging way..

    • Meeb on 18/02/2026 - 18:37

      I have IT background, mostly in B2B and it's like from 6+ years ago. Most current experience is clerical admin. I plan to just move into an industry that I see more AI proof than most.

      • gromit on 18/02/2026 - 19:44

        Sorry but you think clerical and administrative work is more AI proof? This is one of the areas that is already under attack from ai

  • iridiumstem on 18/02/2026 - 14:59
    +1

    Aged and Disability care… I have seen what support workers do, their work is… not fun, to put it politely.

    I work with a lot of people with trauma, and trauma is associated with personality disorders. When you combine that with acquired brain injuries and dementia, it's not fun. I've been basically accused of being difficult to engage and had a complaint put on me, and I have evidence that I have been the one who's been trying to work with the client (giving them a call, requesting an email etc). My line of work isn't physical and I deal with bs like that all the time.

    I have a hard time determining whether the client is an awful person, whether they seriously cannot remember so remember things in favour of themselves, avoidant of their responsibility so they are claming things that aren't true, or/and whether they are delusional (i.e. their version of truth is not in line with the facts).

    You need something that will make you want to be there for you to survive. Pay is shit, work is shit (literally and metaphorically), and it's a thankless job.

    • neoleo on 18/02/2026 - 15:23

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/17364250/redir

      Maybe choose your clients if possible or move to a different company related with this. Certain support workers help their clients with shopping, cooking, take them out to the park or beach, etc.

      • iridiumstem on 18/02/2026 - 16:17

        Be fair, my current job involves working with complex clients (It's a part of the job in my case as I am not a support worker but saw them from the side). I have had some of those clients working with NDIS system (thus support workers), some of them had to deal with the complex clients that I had.

        Yes, there are clients who just has physical injuries/disabilities, and they tend to be easier. Whether you'd be able to just work with those people especially as you get further into the career is a question that I have.

    • Meeb on 18/02/2026 - 18:03

      I have already mentioned elsewhere that I would not be on the front line, just within the industry.

      • iridiumstem on 18/02/2026 - 19:16

        I don't necessarily consider myself in the frontline, I dealt with that stuff. I've seen people get abused as an admin staff of a support worker agency, get abused as an allied health practitioner, support coordinator etc.

        I guess if you are dealing with the backend stuff, maybe the exposure would be less. Even at the management level, you'd end up with people wanting to talk with a manager. My brief look at SIL accomodations (that I had seen from afar as a support to an assessor), the managers were basically trying to hold everything altogether. It's not a cushy job.

        Frankly speaking, I think it's catch 22. Larger organisations would likely replace roles that do not require front facing people as much as they can (less WHS risks, less cost, and easier scapegoating, where the system does its job), smaller organisations would likely merge the roles into one (cost saving measures), and you'd end up with the negative side of working with vulnerable people more. Areas that will have less AI replacements, would be human face to face roles, you can't go into Aged Care and Disability industry expecting no client interactions and expect the same level of protection. Hell, even as an allied health practitioner in mental health, I do think scope of my job will change and I will deal with more complex clientelle as they make a more robust system that can deal with less complex presentations.

        I am not trying to dissuade you, but rather, trying to set the expectations. Don't go into the industry thinking it'd be rosy and you'd have no negative engagement with vulnerable population.

  • wallet72 on 19/02/2026 - 09:14
    +1

    I have two relatives that did this, and the time they survived the age care industry is measured in single digit months.

    It wasn't the 'wiping', it was the slave wages, no support and management abuse.

    Both of them are the most compassionate and helpful people I've met, and just couldn't stand the workplace and what one called 'neglect and no care factor' for the aged.

  • JimmyF on 16/02/2026 - 12:50

    I'm seeing too many signs that my previously earned degree is quickly becoming useless with the advent of AI.

    And what areas are your degrees in?

    Looking to pivot into something that is a bit more AI proof like Aged & Disability Care.

    Do you even like people? I mean you work in IT, and us IT generally don't like people!

    So will you be ok spending all day 'helping' other people?

    • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 12:55
      +2

      Sorry I should have been clearer in my post- I have a lot of clerical administration experience. within the IT industry (B2B and B2C). I am versed in IT but I am not an IT administrator. Think more client management, procurement, billing etc. for the IT industry and other industries/ local / state / fed gov.

      Degree is Bcom. Management/Marketing. Both to be basically obsolete very soon.

      I am a people person, not a stereotypical IT nerd who doesn't want to interact with people. So yes, I am confident that I would be okay spending all day helping and interacting with people.

      • boomramada on 16/02/2026 - 13:06
        +3

        I am a people person, not a stereotypical IT

        If you are a people person with a BCom, I would recommend a IT sales job over a Aged & Disability Care job. You need to excel with your experience and knowledge, not some random thought. If you're good at what you are doing, no AI/or other can replace you.

        • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 13:08
          +1

          I have done that for about 6 years and moved on and don't really have any interest in going back to IT sales. It was just draining for me.

          • boomramada on 16/02/2026 - 13:12

            @Meeb:

            It was just draining for me.

            so whats with this AI stuff? How about changing companies? Do you think working in Aged & Disability Care walking in park?

            • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 13:18
              +1

              @boomramada: AI is popping up everywhere and is impacting the job market already in a big way. Lots of industries are slated to be decimated by AI. The cost of running AI is quickly going from prohibitive to very very cheap - see China's latest commercial model releases. I have read online and heard from people in various industries how AI is being pushed instead of hiring extra staff, how AI is being trained to take over roles. I can personally see the writing on the wall. We live in a capitalist world and AI is a capitalist's dream.

              I left IT a while ago but stayed in admin/clerical. My last admin role had me doing things that had a positive impact on the community with a great social impact which interests me. Admin/clerical is easily replaced with AI.

              Aged & Disability care is one of the least impacted by AI and is a growing industry with a shortage and it fits my interest of doing actual meaningful work instead of driving some bottom line for some board/shareholders.

              I'm not looking to be discouraged, I think this is my path forward.

              • Nebargains on 18/02/2026 - 08:29
                +1

                @Meeb: You are way overthinking 'AI' and making life decisions over it.

                "AI" if you can really call it that is just another tool, someone still has to use the tool, tell the tool what you want, interpret and implement the results etc. Think computers, they probably made a lot of manual tasks redundant, but someone still needs to operate the computer.

                I am having a hard time believing your education and experience is now useless, frankly you sound a bit lost. Changing career is one thing, but changing just because something might seem AI proof is a recipe for disaster.

              • boomramada on 16/02/2026 - 13:24

                @Meeb: The only thing I'm worried about when it comes to AI is that AI is going to crash and stuff the share market and global economy lol

                But good luck with your journey.

                • Meeb on 16/02/2026 - 13:27
                  +1

                  @boomramada: Cheers, I appreciate it and I appreciate your perspective.
                  I may not even end up in A&DC, but it's the current line of thought as a future-proof career.
                  Last thing I want is to end up with a useless degree in a world where my skills are easily replaced with a prompt.
                  Of course ideally I would land something in the meantime within my current area of expertise and maybe study towards the current dream in spare time.
                  The current job market is tough and even recruiters I've spoken to don't sugar coat it any more, its just not the same as it was a few years ago at all.

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