Aged Care Courses for International Students

Aged Care courses are educational programmes that provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue a career in the ever-expanding field of aged care. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including communication, infection control, personal care, health promotion, and more. They may be offered at vocational schools, technical colleges, or universities, and they may be available at various levels, from certificates to bachelor’s degrees.

Aged care courses typically include a mix of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience. This allows students to learn the theoretical concepts and principles of aged care, as well as gain practical experience working with older adults in a supervised setting. By completing an aged care course, individuals can garner the skills and qualifications needed to pursue a rewarding career in this field.

In Australia, there are a variety of aged care courses available for individuals interested in pursuing a career in this highly respected field. Some examples of the various types of courses in this field include:

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Diploma of Nursing (Ageing)

Bachelor of Nursing (Aged Care)

Aged care courses generally cover topics such as communication, infection control, personal care, and health promotion. Many of them also include a practical component, where students can gain hands-on experience working with older adults in a monitored setting.

Why pursue an aged care course?

One of the main reasons to pursue courses in aged care is the sheer increase in demand for trained professionals in this field. By 2015 itself, about 130,000 individuals were employed as Nursing Support and Personal Care workers in the aged care industry in Australia, and it is estimated that this number will shoot up at least five-fold by 2025. By completing an aged care course, individuals can gain the knowledge and skills required to excel in this growing industry. This is mostly because demographic trends in Australia point toward larger numbers of ageing citizens in the coming years. Demographic trends reflect that by 2031, about 18% of Australia’s entire population will be over 65 years of age. Thus, as the population continues to grow and age, there will be a growing need for individuals who are skilled in providing care and support to older adults.

Aged care as a subset of the health industry in Australia has the added advantage of maintaining job stability and career advancement. The aged care industry is an important and growing sector of the economy, and it offers a wide range of job opportunities for trained professionals. Aged care workers in Australia can earn up to $900 per week and work an average of 35.9 hours in one week. The aged care sector also has many opportunities for part-time employment, allowing you to pursue a flexible schedule and other employment opportunities in your spare time as well. Generally, employers in this sector are always on the lookout for compassionate individuals with excellent English language skills, good etiquette, and a pleasant attitude to serve customers.

Additionally, pursuing an aged care course can also be a personally rewarding experience. Working in this field allows individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of older adults and help them maintain their independence and quality of life. This can be a deeply satisfying and fulfilling career choice for those who are passionate about working with older adults and making a positive impact on their lives.

Aged care courses in Australia

Aged care courses in Australia come in great variations, and based on your needs and requirements, you can choose to pursue the one most suitable for you.

Australian academic institutions with accreditation provide VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses. These VET programmes are intended to prepare an individual for a particular profession and feature an immense practical component. For people seeking employment in certain specialised careers in Australia like aged care, VET certificates are the best option as they provide you with enough conceptual knowledge of the field as well as give you plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the industry.

While some VET programmes have no admission criteria, others might, depending on the programme, call for completion of the equivalent of the Australian Years 10, 11, or 12. For certain courses, you may also be required to turn in a portfolio, go to an interview, or do an audition.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is a vocational qualification that is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the aged care industry in Australia. The course covers a range of topics, including how to provide personal care and support to older individuals, how to assist with medications, and how to work in a team to provide high-quality care. It is typically offered by technical and further education (TAFE) institutions and other training providers. Upon completion of the course, graduates may be eligible for entry-level positions in the aged care industry, such as care workers or personal care assistants.

Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing): Entry requirements

There are no structured entry requirements to pursue this course. However, you are expected to clear a National Police Check (not older than 3 months ago) and a Working with Children Check (WWCC). Both these checks are the benchmark entry parameters to the aged care industry and are required due to the very nature of the work that ensures proximity with children and the elderly who are extremely vulnerable groups and need that extra blanket of security checks and protection.

Additionally, during your vocational training, you are also expected to have the following:

Fluency in the English Language

Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent certificate

Healthcare worker/student vaccination record card

Vaccination against infectious diseases

Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing): Course Overview

The Certificate III in Individual Support course has a duration of 1 year during which you are required to attain 13 units in total. These are split into:

7 Core Competency units: Core Units are central to the vocational

6 Specialty units

These 13 units are to be completed in 1 year. Additionally, a minimum set precedent number of practice hours will be attached to your coursework where you will be interacting and working with Aged Care Institutes, Homes, Clinics, and other professional spaces in a supervised role to get in-field experience and prepare you better for actually working in the industry.

The Certificate III for aged care will also require you to get a required number of credit points in all the following subjects. It will be helpful to look at the specific credit requirements of the university you choose to pursue this certificate. However, for all vocational certificate courses, the basic requirement when seeking employment is getting a ‘Pass’ in the competency of the course.

Certificate III in Individual Care (Ageing) requires you to study the following subjects:

Core units:

Providing Individual Support

Independence and Wellbeing

Communication and Health: Community Services

Working with Diversity

Legality and Ethics in aged care

Recognising Healthy Body systems

Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care

Elective units:

Empowering Older People

Supporting People with Dementia

Personal Support Needs for Older People

Support People with Chronic Diseases

Palliative Care Approach

Infection Prevention, Control and Basic Procedures

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing): Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course units along with good recommendations in your practical work as part of the course, you can hope to seek employment in the following areas of work:

Residential Aide

Planned Activity Assistant for the elderly

Hospice worker

Senior Personal Care Assistant

Senior Transport Support Worker

Residential Support and Care Worker

Nurse’s Aide

Personal Caregiver

Community Care Worker

In-home Respite Worker

Assistant in Nursing

An Adult Care Facility Worker

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Certificate IV in Ageing Support is a vocational qualification that is integral for individuals working in the aged care industry. The VET course is a qualification that is designed for individuals who want to work in the aged care industry in an intermediary role. It provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice high-quality care and grants support to elderly individuals, including those with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The course covers a wide range of topics that empower an individual to better understand the needs of older people, provide them with adequate and nuanced care and support, and learn ways for effective communication with aged stakeholders.

Certificate IV in Ageing Support enables students to work in a variety of roles, including as an aged care worker, care assistant, or community care worker. They may also be able to use their qualification as a stepping stone to further study in the field of aged care.

Certificate IV in Ageing Support: Entry Requirements

Certificate IV in Ageing Support can only be pursued upon completion of certain basic requirements. These include but may not be limited to the following:

A National Police Check (not older than 3 months ago)

Working with Children Check (WWCC)

Successful completion of Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing)

Fluency in the English language

Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent certificate

Both these above-mentioned security checks are the benchmark entry parameters to the aged care industry and are required due to the very nature of the work that ensures proximity with children and the elderly who are extremely vulnerable groups and need that extra blanket of security checks and protection.

Additionally, during your vocational training, you are also expected to get the following:

Healthcare worker/student vaccination record card

Vaccination against infectious diseases

Certificate IV in Ageing Support: Course Overview

Certificate IV in Ageing Support has a course duration of about 1.5 years during which you will be required to attain 18 credit units. The units will be split into:

15 Core Competencies

3 Elective Units