The Australian Government Is Hiring #ALifeChangingLife

Teaming up with M&C Saatchi Melbourne, the Australian Government Department of Social Services has launched the “A Life Changing Life” campaign, sharing the stories of workers in the care and support sector and the valuable relationships they have developed with the people they take care of. This sector — which includes aged care, disability, and veterans’ support — is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. This means that more help will be needed in the future, so skilled workers who want to make a difference in someone else’s life are encouraged to apply for a job as carers.

According to Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, “The NDIS alone will need an additional 83,000 workers in the coming years as the scheme matures. Thousands of jobs are available in the metro, regional, and remote areas.” Out of the need to develop a workforce with the right skills to meet the needs of the aging population, those with disabilities, and veterans, the government embarked on a recruitment journey, aiming to make students, job searchers, and professionals give a thought to applying for a post in this sector and experience the wonderful rewards such a job can unlock.

One of the key elements people pursue a career in the care and support sector is described by the mutually beneficial bonds they develop with the ones they take care of, research shows. The Australian Government asked real-life workers and the people they support to communicate the many benefits that come along with being a carer.

The effort, which also seeks to “boost knowledge about diversity and value of the work, and disrupts outdated perceptions,” includes a range of films in which carers describe how fulfilling and life-changing such a career can be. “Real people are at the heart of this campaign. All the people featured are actual workers changing lives, as well as their own, through working in the care and support sector,” Minister Reynolds adds.

“This has been an incredibly important, inspiring campaign for our team to work on. The strength and character of the people we’ve met and featured, and the value of the relationships they share together will work to raise awareness about how rewarding, mutually beneficial, and ultimately life-changing a job in the sector can be,” says Emma Robbins, Executive Creative Director at M&C Saatchi Melbourne, explained.

Besides the videos, the campaign is supported by a website that acts as a resource for workers who pursue a career in the care and support sector, providing them information about the roles available, skills and training, and links to job services, and tips for employers on how to attract, welcome, and retain the right people.

The initiative runs across TV, OOH, digital, and social media, focusing on encouraging the public to help support the campaign by sharing it with target audiences, aiming to attract approximately 140,000 people in this sector by 2024.

Freya, who is Michelle’s disability worker, says that her best friend is her boss, wondering “How many people can say that?”. Mother and son Caroline and Jake got to appreciate the little things in life thanks to Darcy, while Mandy and Elizabeth have built a strong friendship while working together. Want to find out more? Then check out their stories in the videos below.