Aged care courses online
Secure a fulfilling role in aged care by becoming qualified online.
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Whether you want to gain further skills in your area of work or you're hoping to pursue a career in helping others, aged care courses give you the skills and knowledge to care for the elderly.
We've narrowed down the courses that can provide you with the necessary skills and requirements to land you a job in aged care.
Where can I find aged care courses online?
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Do I need to complete work placement when studying an aged care course online?
Work placement is compulsory for some of the more advanced certificate courses and is required by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). All placements are pre-approved by your instructor. They will also provide career counselling and help you find work placement opportunities. This is dependent on your current situation and whether or not you are already working or volunteering in the field.
Placements require you to work shifts, including early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, and possibly public holidays. You'll be required to manage your own personal commitments around these shifts.
Field placement is not only compulsory but instrumental in developing your newly acquired knowledge and skills, while gaining hands-on experience. During a work placement, you will:
- Put your new skills and theory into current practice
- Get real-world experience in your chosen field
- Learn about industry trends, practices and career options
- Network with other professionals
- Build your resume with work experience
- Improve your job prospects
Field placement is compulsory for the following courses:
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) – Minimum 120 hours completed over 4 weeks
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) – Minimum 120 hours completed over 4 weeks
- Certificate IV in Aged Care – Minimum 120 hours completed over 4 weeks
- Bachelor of Community Services – Minimum 400 hours with 2 work placements
You can expect to work in the following areas:
- Registered aged care facility
- Respite care facility
- Home care environment
- Community support setting
What online courses are available for aged care?
Depending on your end goal, you can find online providers covering a broad ranges of topics in aged care, including:
- Training.com.au
- Udemy
- TAFE Courses
- The Great Courses
- Online Courses Australia
- Kirana Colleges
- Open Colleges
- Stott's College
- University of Tasmania
- Open Universities
Below are areas of study and online course options at different levels:
Professional development
Courses in professional development can help you develop new skills so you can go after that promotion at work:
| Courses | Course Info | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology of Older Age | Course duration: 3 hours on-demand video Subject areas: Understand developmental psychology, working and caring for older adults, mental health & disabilities, dementia, quality of life. | |
| Family Care Survival | Course duration: 2 hours of on-demand video Subject areas: The caregiver's role in ageing family members. | |
| The Aging Brain | Course duration: 6 hours Subject areas: The ageing mind, brain structure, function and memory, healthy ageing and diseases of the brain. |
|
| Sensation, Perception and the Aging Process | Course duration: 12 hours Subject areas: Sensation, perception and behaviour, hearing and vision. |
|
Short courses
Short courses give you a glimpse into your chosen field and are a good way of auditing a particular area of study:
| Courses | Course Info | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| CARE: Introduction to Caregiving for Older Adults | Course duration: 5 weeks, self-paced (1-3 hours per week) Subject areas: The role of the caregiver, the ageing process, social and emotional needs, health and safety. | |
| Aged Care - Career Sampler | Course duration: 20 study hours Subject areas: Work effectively in the community sector, support individual health and emotional wellbeing. |
|
| Working in Aged Care 101 | Course duration: 30 study hours Subject areas: Work effectively with older people, follow safety procedures for direct care work, assist clients with medication. |
|
| Advanced Certificate in Aged Care | Course duration: 140 study hours Subject areas: Work effectively with older people in the community within a structured counselling framework, support individual health and emotional wellbeing, infection control policies and procedures, palliative care, assist clients with medication. |
|
| Looking After the Elderly | Course duration: 40 study hours Subject areas: Support older people to maintain their independence, provide support to meet personal care needs, infection control policies and procedures, deliver care services using a palliative approach. |
|
| Provide Support to People Living with Dementia Certificate | Course duration: 10 study hours Subject areas: Direct provision of support, first aid, health and safety, medicine administration, meal preparation, client records. |
|
| Support Ageing People with Disabilities | Course duration: 10 study hours Subject areas: Identifying and reporting any change in a client/resident's health, identifying variations in personal care and aid requirements. |
|
| Working Effectively in the Community Sector | Course duration: 20 study hours Subject areas: Direct provision of ethical support of elderly people in the home, workplace or community, physical and psychological effects of ageing, counselling and aged care services. |
|
Certifications
With a certificate, you're qualified to apply for an entry level role in aged care:
| Courses | Course Info | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) Apprenticeship or traineeship also an available option | Course duration: 9 months to 1 year Subject areas: Provide individual and community support, healthy body systems, safe work practices, empowerment of older people, living with dementia, personal support needs, family support, infection control policies and procedures. | |
| Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) | Course duration: 9 months to 1 year Subject areas: Provide individual care and personal support, healthy body systems, safe work practices, empowerment of older people, living with dementia, personal support needs, family support, infection control policies and procedures. | |
| Dual Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Ageing Support | Course duration: 9-12 months Subject areas: Provide individual and personal support, health and community services, healthy body systems, safe work practices, empowerment of older people and social inclusion, living with dementia, personal support needs, contribute to skills development, family support, infection control policies and procedures, care for people with disabilities. | |
| Certificate IV in Aged Care | Course duration: Maximum 18 monthsSubject areas: Meeting the needs of older people, diversity and supporting independence and wellbeing, workplace safety, supporting people living with dementia, assisting clients with medication, facilitate responsible behaviour, risk prevention and supporting older people legally and ethically, individualised plans, relationships and physical health, loss and grief support, palliative care, coordinating, supporting and facilitating services and networks for older people. |
|
Bachelor's Degree
If you want to advance your career to a higher level, a three- or four-year bachelor's degree is the way to go:
| Courses | Course Info | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Community Services | Course duration: 3 years Subject areas: Intro to management in community services, communication skills, human development, theory and practice of counselling, welfare systems and policy, case management, specialist skills, mental health and community, ethics and transition to professional practice. |
|
| Bachelor of Dementia Care | Course duration: 3 years or 24 units, completed over a maximum of 7 years Subject areas: Intro to ageing, the brain and dementia, principles of supportive care for people with dementia, health services for an ageing population, intro to therapeutic approaches, effective communication for dementia care, neurobiology, palliative care, nutrition, dysphagia, individual and community approaches to dementia prevention, policy and care coordination, qualitative research, advanced topics, evidence-based care, dementia friendly societies. |
|
| Bachelor of Community Health | Course duration: 3 years (24 subjects including 2 electives) Subject areas: Non-clinical health care, mental health, human biology, psychology, national and international health, foundations of nutrition and health, ageing and disability friendly environments, project management for health and wellness, public health. |
|
If you decide to study aged care, you will learn a broad range of skills from caregiving support and medication to communication and collaboration skills.
You can find these online courses at TAFE NSW, Training.com.au, Open Colleges, Online Courses Australia, Udemy and The Great Courses.
Is government funding offered for online aged care courses?
Many of these courses offer a variety of payment options, including government subsidised programs. You can also manage your finances with part-time study. Before you enrol, make sure you ask about all your payment and study options.
Here are a couple of certificate course that offer government funding:
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) – Subsidised ($200 fee to apply)
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) – Local Skills subsidy: $850.50. Local Skills subsidy & concession card: $252.00
What topics may be covered in an aged care online course?
Here's an outline of what you can expect to cover in an aged care course:
- The human body and how to support its healthy functioning
- How to facilitate the empowerment of the elderly
- The skills to meet personal client support needs
- How to tailor support to meet the needs of individual clients
- How dementia can affect a person, as well as strategies for communicating with, supporting and monitoring a client with dementia
- How to assist clients with medications (elective for existing workers only)
- How to support client independence and wellbeing
- The tools to communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, their families and coworkers.
- How to work effectively within the health and community care sector
How long does an online aged care course take to complete?
One of the bonuses of taking an online course in aged care is that you can work at your own pace, depending on your schedule and how much time you can devote to your course of study. Here is a breakdown of the types of courses available and how long they typically take to complete:
- Short courses. Can vary in length from 2 hours to 20 hours, depending on the intensity of the course. Short courses are delivered through online learning and are self-paced.
- Certificate. Generally 6 to 12 months in length, depending on the grade level. Work-at-your-own-pace options are available.
- Diploma. Typically 12 months in length, achieved within a set amount of time.
- Bachelor's degree. A three-year degree full-time, with part-time study options available.
What qualifications are required to become an aged care worker?
Short courses and professional development courses are open to anyone. For a bachelor's degree in community services, you will need one of the following:
- NSW HSC (Higher School Certificate) or equivalent
- Recognised Tertiary Preparation Certificate
- Certificate IV level or higher vocational qualification
- Completion of at least one year full-time study or equivalent in a course at a higher education institution
What are the career opportunities after taking an aged care course?
At a certificate level, you may qualify for the following professions:
- Personal Care Worker
- Aged Care Worker
- Care Service Employee
- Care Team Leader
- Community Care Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Assistant in Nursing
- Home Care Assistant
- Residential Care Worker
- Residential Support Worker
- Respite Care Worker
- Client Assistant
- Food Services Worker
With an undergraduate degree in a related area, you may qualify for the following positions:
- Case Worker
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Case Management Supervisor
- Community Services Manager
- Program Coordinator
- Support Case Worker
- Team Manager
- Advocate
- Counsellor
- Community Development Officer
- Child Protection Officer
- Welfare Worker
- Community Care Coordinator
- Halfway House Supervisor
- Women's Centre Program Supervisor
What equipment and software will I need?
To complete an online course in aged care, you will need a laptop or desktop with a stable Internet connection, a microphone and a camera.
You will also need access to Zoom for face-to-face sessions. This is free to download.
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Ask an Expert
Hi Dear !
I am a clinical pharmacist and living in Vietnam .I have a visitor visa ( subclass 600) up to Nov 2022. I am interested in the online program in the field . Which school or centre in Australia I can get admitted to ? Thank you!
Hi Hoa,
Thanks for your comment and I hope you are doing well. It’s great to know you have an AU visitor visa. You can get advise on which school or center to join by using the online form on the page above. Enter the needed details on the form and ENQUIRE NOW. Someone from the provider’s end will contact you to proceed with your inquiry.
Hope this helps and best of luck on your endeavor!
Best,
Nikki
Can I start to study for age care? I am from the Philippines and I am here in Australia on bridging visa. If I start study, what are the requirements needed?
Hi Esiel,
Thanks for your message. It’s good to know that you are interested to study Age Care. The requirements will depend on where you apply for a course on Aged Care in Australia. To know your options, please fill out the online form on the page and click ENQUIRE NOW. Someone will get in touch with you as soon as they receive your application.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Nikki
Is there a 3-6 month course in aged care? If yes, then I need the details of the institution imparting this course, course fees, subjects etc.
Hi Shalini,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
To get a free consultation and to know more on having 3-6 months course in aged care online, please enter all info asked on the table then click on the green Enquire Now button.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I’m from the Philippines and I have an Australian tourist Visa multiple entry. Now, I’m here in Australia. Can I study aged care to work here in Australia?
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
To study a certain course in Australia, like Aged Care, depends on your the visa type you got. If you have a tourist visa (subclass 676), you must comply with the following visa conditions:
– Unless you were granted a visa that specifically allows you to work, you must not work while in Australia. You might be able to do some volunteer work, but only if an Australian resident would not otherwise be paid to do the work (you can be reimbused for out-of-pocket expenses such as meals and accommodation).
– You must not study for more than three months while in Australia.
Kindly get in touch with a representative from the Department of Home Affairs if you need further assistance on your visa.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I am a Singaporean but living in malaysia. I am interested to take courses on age care online . What are the procedures and will this cert help me get a job in Australia. Thank you
Hi Priya,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
The Australian Government’s Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has taken a vested interest in the training of aged care workers and have developed a list of areas that they believe are crucial for a student to study successfully in order to receive Certificate III or IV in Aged Care. In addition to your online studies, you will also be required to complete practical study in a work environment that provides care to the elderly. This hands-on experience will be a vital part of building your skills as an aged care worker in Australia. These help in applying for a job in Australia. Hope these help!
Cheers,
Reggie