Education level
Job area
Your role as an assistant in nursing in patient care
As an assistant in nursing (AIN), you’ll help our nurses care for people with injuries, illnesses and long term health problems.
This includes:
- monitoring patients – checking on patients and communicating their needs
- personal care – showering, dressing, eating and moving around
- support with daily living – making beds, cleaning equipment and rooms.
We have full time, part time and casual roles, and you may work different shifts as part of a team.
How an assistant in nursing is different from a nurse
Assistants in nursing are supervised by and support enrolled nurses, registered nurses and midwives and follow their directions about patient care. Nurses have more responsibility than an assistant in nursing. They plan patient care and can give medicine and IV therapy. You need a diploma or university degree to work as a nurse or midwife.
What your day might look like
If you’re working in our hospitals or aged care facilities, you’ll start your shift by checking in with your team and reviewing patient needs. Throughout the day, you’ll give patients hands on care, keep them comfortable, and help with daily activities, such as exercise and cleaning.
In rural and remote areas, you’ll care for people with a wider range of health needs. You might travel a long way to see patients in isolated areas with limited resources and support.
You can also work in a range of specialty areas, including:
- mental health
- prison healthcare
- cancer care
- pregnancy, birth and baby care
- child, youth and family health
- rehabilitation
- aged care
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Read more about working as an assistant in nursing in patient care on the Your Career website.
Qualifications
You'll need one of the following to work as an assistant in nursing in patient care.
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Certificate III in Aged Care
- Certificate III in Health Service Assistance
- Diploma of Nursing – you can apply for assistant in nursing roles with us if you've completed the first semester of study.
If you're a First Nations high school student, you can also do a traineeship with us. Learn more about Deadly Start traineeships.
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at nursing grade 1, band 1, pay point 1. You’ll get a different rate if you work in a sterilisation role.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging
- help with ongoing professional development costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
You may be able to get financial incentives and other benefits if you work in rural and remote areas.
Professional growth
You’ll develop your professional skills through:
- orientation programs for new staff
- workplace learning and coaching
- online training courses
- professional development and upskilling opportunities.
Career paths
Doing more study when you’re an assistant in nursing can lead to work in other roles.
If you plan to do more study, ask your training provider if your past studies can count towards a higher qualification.