Aged Care Courses

What is an aged care worker?

An aged care worker is someone who supports elderly people by assisting them with their daily activities and ensuring that they are happy, cared for, and connected. 

Their main role is to arrange and provide activities that enhance the emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of the ageing community. This could include supporting them with eating, showering, dressing, and cleaning as well as recreational activities such as gardening, playing games, reading, and going out for excursions. 

Aged care workers can work at residential care facilities or from client’s homes.  

What does an aged care worker do? 

Aged care is a holistic job that involves supporting the physical health, social wellbeing, home care, and family connections of elderly people. Their daily tasks may involve any of the following activities: 

• Personal care:
  • Cooking meals
  • Assisting with eating
  • Housekeeping (cleaning, tidying, sanitising)
  • Oral hygiene
  • Toileting
  • Showering
  • Gardening
  • Dressing
  • Administering medications
  • Manual handling (e.g. transferring from bed to chair or in & out of vehicles)

• Helping with daily tasks: 
  • Buying groceries
  • Collecting prescriptions
  • Assisting with paperwork
  • Paying bills
  • Troubleshooting WiFi, phone, or TV issues
  • Providing transport to and from medical appointments

• Providing companionship:
  • Playing board games
  • Watching movies
  • Listening to the radio
  • Solving puzzles
  • Talking about current events, common interests
  • Reading

• Social wellbeing:
  • Walks in the park
  • Outdoor excursions & outings
  • Going to shops & cafes
  • Escorting on outings with friends
  • Light exercise

• Family support:
  • Offering observations & updates
  • Communicating emotional state or deterioration
  • Observing impacts of medication

How do I become an aged care worker?

It is possible to become an aged care worker in Australia without undertaking formal qualifications. However, you will be more equipped to easily enter this career if you have a qualification in individual care or a related area. This will allow you to start off your aged care career confidently and with the knowledge required to provide the best service possible to those under your care. 

Most job positions in aged care will require a: 

• National Police Certificate
• COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
• First Aid Certificate

Some aged care facilities and hospitals may also require you to have:

• Annual Flu Vaccine
• Manual Handling Certificate

Most of all, to become an aged care worker you must be patient, compassionate, and friendly. You will be just as happy to talk with your clients as you are to assist them in various daily and personal care tasks. If this sounds like you, you’re ready to become an aged care worker! 

Enrol in aged care courses online

There are various courses you can take that will equip you for a rewarding career in aged care. Online aged care courses offer flexible, self-paced delivery that can easily fit into your current work and family obligations, so you can kick start your career with ease. 

Any of the following courses will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to start your aged care career with confidence. Read about each one to find the right aged care course for you. 

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

The Certificate III will equip you with all the skills and knowledge you need for a successful long-term career in aged care. The self-paced online course takes around 12 months to complete and includes a mandatory work placement of minimum 160 hours that will help you practise your skills in a real-life setting. 

Topics covered in this course include:

• Providing individualised support
• Working with diverse people
• Supporting community participation & social inclusion
• Safe work practices for direct client care
• Recognising healthy body systems
• Facilitating the empowerment of older people

With the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), you can expect job outcomes like:

• Accommodation Support Worker
• Aged Care Support Worker
• Care Assistant
• Community Care Worker
• Residential Care Worker

Certificate IV in Ageing Support 

The Certificate IV is an excellent upskill for those who have completed the Certificate III or a great choice for anyone who wants to start their career with more extensive training. The self-paced online course takes around 18 months to complete and includes a minimum of 120 hours of work placement to help you practise your skills in a real-life setting.

Topics covered in this course include:

• Implementing interventions
• Meeting personal support needs
• Supporting independence & wellbeing
• Assisting clients with medication
• Risk prevention
• Confirming physical health status
• Administering & monitoring medications
• Providing loss & grief support

With the Certificate IV in Ageing Support you can enjoy rewarding career outcomes like:

• Personal Care Assistant
• Aged Care Worker
• Care Service Employee 
• Care Support Worker
• Care Team Leader
• Client Care Advisor
• Community Care Worker

How long does it take to finish an aged care course?

The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is self-paced and can be completed in around 12 months, though the exact time will vary depending on the provider. It also requires a minimum of 160 hours work placement.

The Certificate IV in Ageing Support is also self-paced and can be completed in around 18 months. It also includes a mandatory work placement of minimum 120 hours.  

How much does an aged care course cost?

The cost of a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or a Certificate IV in Ageing Support will depend on the registered training organisations you enrol with. Many institutions offer payment plans and may even offer a discount for some students. 

Where do aged care workers work?

Aged care workers may be based in a residential care facility or work from client’s homes. 

Residential care facilities provide accommodation and personal support services for seniors who cannot live independently in their own homes. They usually involve 24 hour care and are suitable for those who need constant care and management. Working in a residential care facility means you will be providing 24/7 personal care (in shifts) and participating in community building and events for the residents.

In-home care means you will be working at client’s homes, usually those who wish to remain independent for as long as possible. In-home aged care is personalised for each client and involves one-on-one care such as cooking, shopping, housework, exercise assistance, socialising, and more. 

What skills do I need to be an aged care worker? 

There are definitely some skills you need to grasp in order to succeed in a career as an aged care worker. While it’s a very rewarding and fulfilling industry, it can be a challenging role that requires you to possess certain qualities and skills in order to pass on the best quality of care to your clients. 

Skills you need to succeed as an aged care worker include: 

• A strong desire to help people 
• Willingness to care for others
• Compassion
• Ability to provide emotional support
• A lot of patience
• Empathy & kindness
• Strong listening skills

What makes being an aged care worker a good career choice?

There are many reasons why you may want to pursue a career in aged care. These are just some ways that it’s an excellent career choice. 

• Rewarding: Aged care is a very fulfilling industry that makes a genuine difference in people’s lives. You will connect and interact with various people, listen in on stories from their past, and watch residents break through illness. 

• Job security: Aged care is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in Australia. Nearly 55,000 new jobs are expected to be created in aged care between 2020 and 2025 alone. You will not struggle to find jobs. 

• Flexible: Shifts in aged care can be flexible to suit your current lifestyle needs. You may work early shifts, night shifts, or day shifts depending on the role. 

Aged care courses – Summary

If you love helping people and want a career making a difference in people’s lives, aged care is perfect for you. There’s never been a better time to train for this rewarding career – enrol in an aged care online course now! 

FAQ

1. 1. How long does it take to complete an aged care course?
      A Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) can be completed in around 12 months and requires a minimum of 160 hours work placement. A Certificate IV in Ageing Support can be completed in around 18 months and includes a mandatory work placement of minimum 120 hours.

   2. Is the aged care course hard?
      The difficulty of aged care courses will depend on the person. Generally they are designed to be accessible to most people and include both theoretical and practical training delivered in an easy to understand way.

   3. Are aged care courses tax deductible?
      If you are already working in the aged care industry, you can claim the cost of aged care courses or training that are directly related to your current role.

   4. How much does it cost to study aged care in Australia?
      The cost of a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or a Certificate IV in Ageing Support will depend on the registered training organisations you enrol with. Many institutions offer payment plans and may even offer a discount for some students.

   5. What qualifications do you need to work in aged care in Australia?
      You do not need any formal qualifications to work in aged care, however it will be a great help to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or a Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

   6. Does aged care pay well in Australia?
      You can expect to earn between $801.40 and $973.40 per week in a full time role as an aged care worker. The average annual salary is between $50,000 and $60,000.